Patrol Officer - Entrance Exam

Civil Service Patrol Officer Entrance Exam - Deadline to apply is May 22, 2026, by 5:00 P.M.

The Exam will be held Friday, May 29, 2026, at 9:00 A.M., at the Baytown Community Center, located at 2407 Market Street, Baytown, Texas 77520.

$10,000 signing incentive (paid out over probationary period after credentialing).

Applicants who meet the requirements to test will receive an email with details for the Civil Service written Entrance Exam.

Join the City of Baytown as a dedicated Patrol Officer, where you'll ensure the safety and security of our community through active patrolling and crime prevention. We seek individuals with strong communication skills, a commitment to public service, and the ability to handle challenging situations with professionalism and integrity. Apply today to make a meaningful impact and help maintain the peace in our vibrant city!

A Patrol Officer enforces law to protect and serve the public. Provides aid to citizens while rendering police services to the public. Patrols a specified area of the City to preserve law and order, to prevent, discover, and investigate the commission of crime, and to enforce motor vehicle operations and parking regulations. Assists in personnel related issues, crime prevention tasks, training programs and other specialized assignments.

• Responds to police calls from dispatcher: house or business burglary, violent felonies, robbery, auto thefts, auto accidents, criminal mischief, alarms, domestic violence, any other reported criminal offense, assistance to elderly or disabled persons who have accidents in the home, drive to the scene; provides protection or assistance or apprehends suspects.
• Writes police reports of all calls and incidents; adheres to proper police procedures and files applicable charges.
• Proactively patrols City streets when not on an assigned call; checks buildings or homes for burglars; gives traffic citations enforcing traffic laws; assists citizens; and deters crime.
• Performs miscellaneous duties including attending meetings; obtaining assignments; compiling reports; appearing in court for testimony; communicating with other officers or detectives regarding cases; and occasionally speaking to civic groups.
• Performs all other related duties as assigned.

Required:

• Applicants must be at least 21 years of age at the time of the entrance examination.
• Must possess a high school diploma or GED.
• The applicant must be a United States citizen.
• Must not have been convicted or has ever been on court-ordered community supervision, probation, or deferred adjudication for any criminal offense of the grade of a Class B misdemeanor within the last 10 years from the date of the court order.
• Must not have been convicted or has ever been on court-ordered community supervision, probation, or deferred adjudication for any criminal offense above the grade of a Class B misdemeanor.
• Must not be currently under indictment for any criminal offense.
• Must not have ever been convicted of any offense involving family violence.
• Must not be prohibited by state or federal law from operating a motor vehicle.
• Must not be prohibited by state or federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition.
• Must meet all other qualifications established by Chapter 143 of the Local Government Code.
• Must not have been discharged from any military service under less than honorable conditions. If you have served in the military, a copy of your DD214 MUST be attached to this application before you submit it.
• Must be able to read and write the English language.
• Must meet the minimum standard for licensing of a peace officer pursuant to the provisions of Texas Occupation Code, Chapter 1701, and the rules of the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.

Ability to work under stressful conditions and deal courteously with the public. Knowledge of civil, traffic, criminal laws, City ordinances and of City geography. Ability to organize clear, complete factual reports, enter and retrieve computer data and to drive a vehicle safely.

Attendance is an essential function of this position. The City reserves the right to require an employee in this position to work overtime. This position provides services or performs duties for the benefit of the general public during emergency situations. These may include services or duties different from those performed in the usual course and scope of your job. In the event of an evacuation, the incumbent in this position may be required to remain to perform needed services.

Overall Position Strength Demands

Medium Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.