Lateral Transfer Officer

CITY OF WACO, TEXAS
300 Austin Ave, Waco, Texas 76701 United States  View Map
Posted: May 20, 2026
  • Salary: See Position Description USD
  • Full Time
  • Other
  • Job Description

    Summary

    Starting Pay: $40.6085 per hour up to $48.4957 per hour

    To be considered, you must hold a valid TCOLE License as a Peace Officer
    Summary:
    Under basic supervision, patrols, investigates, responds to calls for service, enforces laws, prevents crimes and assists the general public for the Waco Police Department (WPD); conducts surveillance, monitors traffic, arrests suspect and maintains order in the City.

    To qualify as an applicant for a Lateral Transfer Police Officer position with the City of Waco Police Department, the applicant must meet all requirements of the Waco Local Rules and Waco Meet & Confer Agreement:
    Lateral Positions (2-years or more experience) with the Waco Police Department
    Have served as a commissioned Peace Officer as that term is defined by the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure §2.12 continuously for the 12-month period immediately prior to making application with the WPD, and
    a) Left the last position as a commissioned Peace Officer in good standing.

    b) Hold an active TCOLE certification at the time of applying with the WPD.

    b. Applicants who qualify for a lateral position in are not required to take the WPD eligibility exam.

    c. Applicants who qualify for a lateral position may be hired as a beginning officer at the pay step most closely equivalent to their qualifying law enforcement experience up to and including the 10-year pay step as a Police Officer, but do not begin employment with WPD with seniority or longevity based on any previous law enforcement experience.

    THE CITY OF WACO SEEKS:
    Are you looking to serve your community, make a difference in people’s lives, and build camaraderie with your coworkers? Waco Police Department is accepting applications for experienced Police Officers to join the WPD family. Apply with the WPD today!

    MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
    Required:
    • High School Diploma or GED equivalent and
    • Successful completion of Police Academy training.
    • Two (2) years continuous experience as a paid full-time police officer.
    • Must be a United States Citizen.

    LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
    Required:
    • Valid Texas Driver's License
    • Peace Officer’s License
    • Certification from Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE)

    Additional Information:
    • After Human Resources review your application, you will receive an e-mail with additional requirements to complete the Police Officer process.
    • Documents MUST be submitted within 90 days of your initial preliminary application. Failure to complete the additional requirements within 90 days will result in removal from the application process.

    POSITION DESCRIPTION: Under basic supervision, patrols, investigates, responds to calls for service, enforces laws, prevents crimes and assists the general public for the Waco Police Department (WPD); conducts surveillance, monitors traffic, arrests suspect and maintains order in the City.
    PRIMARY DUTIES:
    • Enforces state and federal laws and City regulations; identifies, prevents, and terminates unlawful activities using experience and technical training; identifies, pursues and arrests suspects and perpetrators of criminal acts; duties will vary according to job assignment.
    • Performs work according to WPD policies to enforce laws, preserve peace, maintain order, solve problems, respond to requests for service and promote crime prevention through community policing.
    • Consistently applies WPD regulations and procedures and provides professional police services.
    • Responds to incidents, accidents and calls for service; initiates basic investigations and coordinates responses with regional law enforcement and emergency services agencies.
    • Patrols City to preserve the peace, enforce the law, control vehicular traffic and prevent and detect misconduct, misdemeanors, felonies and other law violation; intervenes to ensure the safety of residents in mental health crisis; investigates and renders assistance at crime and accident scenes; serves and protects
      the community.
    • Preserves the peace of the community through mediation, investigation, intervention, assistance and arrest; utilizes all lawful means to improve the quality of life by recognizing and resolving problems.
    • Works with citizens to address the issues of safety, crime, and neighborhood disorder.
    • Conducts security checks, responds to citizen complaints and treats residents with courtesy and respect.
    • Performs crime investigation and analysis; secures crime scenes and interviews and interrogates suspects and witnesses; preserves, analyzes and evaluates evidence; takes measurements and draws diagrams of crime and accident scenes; searches scene of crimes for clues; arrests persons involved in crimes and
      misconduct; prepares cases for court proceedings and testifies in court.
    • Performs specialized functions in areas of expertise, including general and specialized training, K-9, SWAT, community outreach, crime prevention, event security, warrant service, computer systems, armory and other special enforcement, assessment, surveillance, intervention, investigative and inter-agency teams.
    • Cross-trains in a wide variety of law enforcement skills and disciplines.
    • Prepares accurate and detailed reports and required paperwork.
    • Maintains the integrity, professionalism, values and goals of the Police Department by assuring that all rules and regulations are followed, and that accountability and public trust are preserved.
    • Able to testify in court proceedings.
    • Must maintain a level of physical fitness to meet Department standards.
    • May be required to respond on off days or non-scheduled holidays, in the event of a departmental or Citywide emergency.
    • Operates department vehicles to patrol the City for criminal activity, suspicious behavior, and safety hazards; respond to emergency calls related to crimes in progress, traffic accidents, medical emergencies, and dangerous situations; enforce traffic laws; and transport individuals to appropriate facilities.


    The City of Waco offers a complete benefits package for eligible employees including; health, dental, vision, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Flexible Spending Accounts, life insurance, long term and short term disability, retirement, deferred compensation plans, holidays, vacation, sick leave, credit union and savings bonds.

    To learn more about the benefits offered, visit our Benefits page.

    Why Work For Waco:
    • Meaningful and challenging work
    • Make a difference and improve communities
    • Competitive Salary and Benefits
      • Full Range of Benefits, including Health, Dental, Vision, Disability, and Life Insurance
      • Mandatory TMRS Retirement Plan with a 2:1 City Match
      • Education Assistance Program
      • Paid Parental Leave
      • Employee Assistance
      • Longevity Pay
      • And More!
    • Chance to do work you are passionate about
    • Desire to give back
  • ABOUT THE COMPANY

    • City of Waco
    • City of Waco

    Waco is centrally located in the heart of Texas on the I-35 corridor midway between Dallas-Fort Worth and Austin. This progressive and diverse city with a vibrant community spirit offers major attractions, museums, recreation, and abundant shopping to more than 140,000 residents. Waco is the 25th largest city in Texas and the county seat of McLennan County.

    Waco is not only briming with Texas history, economic opportunity, and a rich variety of cultural experiences, it is also a major seat of high learning within three major colleges in its city limits including Baylor University, Texas State Technical College and McLennan Community College.

    The city is also the birthplace of Dr. Pepper, the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame Museum and the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.  Waco boasts one of the biggest and best municipal parks in Texas, Cameron Park. While the park is located in the middle of downtown situated on the Brazos and Bosque River it hosts numerous races, triathlons, boat races and much, much more.

    Governance and Organization

    Waco is a home rule city with a council-manager form of government. The City Council is comprised of a Mayor, elected at-large, and five City Council members representing single-member districts, all serving two-year terms. The City Council sets the tax rate, approves the budget, appoints members to City boards and commissions, enacts City ordinances, and appoints the City Manager, City Attorney, City Secretary, and the Municipal Court Judge.

    The City has a strong Financial Management Policy that guides the operation and delivery of quality City services, contributes to excellent AA+ and Aa1 bond ratings, and maintains an unassigned fund balance reserve in the General Fund equal to 28% of current year budgeted expenditures. The City of Waco has more than 1,600 employees and a total operating budget of over $400 million.

    The City provides a full range of municipal services including a regional airport, animal services, building inspections, code enforcement, convention and visitors bureau, emergency management, housing and community development, economic development, fire, public health, library, municipal court, parks and recreation, planning, police, public works, Texas Ranger Hall of Fame Museum, utilities and zoo operations.  

    The City Council and City Manager are committed to the mission of providing exemplary municipal services for citizens and visitors in a collaborative and transparent manner while honoring the public’s trust. Waco values include providing excellent and innovative services, promoting equality and inclusion, focusing on teamwork, investing in people and always doing the right thing.

    With the City of Waco, you will find our home; where everyone belongs and thrives as move forward together.

    Show more

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