FAQ

Questions we get asked frequently. If you have more, reach out to a recruiter.
Who can be a Temple Police Officer?
What is the department's policy on Personal Appearance?

Hair:

  • Hair shall be clean, neatly trimmed or arranged, and of a natural hair color (e.g., black, brown, blonde, red, or gray).
  • Hairstyles for male members must not extend below the top edge of a uniform or dress shirt collar while assuming a normal stance.
  • When working a field assignment, hairstyles for female members must not extend below the bottom edge of a uniform or dress shirt collar while assuming a normal stance. Longer hair shall be worn up or in a tightly wrapped braid or ponytail that is secured to the head above the bottom edge of the shirt collar.

 

Mustaches:

  • Mustaches shall not extend below the corners of the mouth or beyond the natural hairline of the upper lip and shall be short and neatly trimmed, no longer than 1/2 inch.

 

Goatees:

  • Includes the growth of a mustache which is hair below the nose and above the upper lip.
  • The mustache may extend below the corners of the mouth connecting with the goatee. The cheeks, jaw line, and neck shall remain clean shaven.
  • The bulk of the Goatee (distance that the mass of facial hair protrudes from the skin of the face) shall not exceed ½ inch.
  • Goatees will not extend more than ½ inch below the jaw line.

 

Beards:

  • Includes the growth of a mustache which is hair below the nose and above the upper lip.
  • Mustaches must be kept short and neatly trimmed with hair no longer than ½ inch.
  • The mustache may extend below the corners of the mouth connecting with the beard.
  • Naturally growing facial hair displaying natural color.
    • Hair covering the chin and sides of face shall not extend more than ½ inch below the jaw line.
    • The bulk of the beard (distance that the mass of facial hair protrudes from the skin of the face) shall not exceed ½ inch.
    • Shall be neatly groomed with no portion of the beard being exceptionally longer than the rest.
  • The Growth of a mustache, goatee, or beard shall not interfere with a member’s ability to properly wear/seal a gas mask.
  • Growth time allowed: Members shall have 14 days to demonstrate progress towards the growth of approved facial hair. At no time shall a member be in a perpetual state of attempting to grow facial hair. Abuse or noncompliance with this expectation may result in having this privilege removed.

 

Prohibited Facial Hair Items:

  • Mustaches, Beards or Goatees of uneven or patch growth
  • Facial hair which takes excessive time to grow (generally, not more than 14 days), without noticeable progress.
  • Grooming, sculpted lines, or styling of any kind resulting in an unnatural and/or stylish look (no patterns or symbols sculpted into facial hair).
  • Any facial hair regardless of approved length, which has the appearance of being unshaven.
  • Dying or coloring facial hair.

 

Tattoos:

  • Members are prohibited from having visible tattoos on any part of the hands (below the wrist bone), fingers, head, face, neck or scalp to include the eyeball, eyelids, mouth, and ears; with the following exceptions:
    • Tattoo of one wedding band on a ring finger
    • Permanent facial make-up on the eyebrows, eyeliner, and lips that is conservative and presents a professional image.
  • Any tattoo that implies a negative bias toward any group.

 

Body Piercings or Alterations:

  • Body piercing (other than earlobes) or alteration to any area of the body that is visible while on-duty or while representing the Temple Police Department in any official capacity that is a deviation from normal anatomical features and that is not medically required, is prohibited. Such body alteration includes, but is not limited to:
    • Tongue splitting or piercing
    • Piecing of the nose, eyelids or eyebrows
    • Abnormal shaping of the ears, eyes, nose or teeth (e.g., enlarged or stretched out holes in the earlobes), or
    • Branding, scarification, or burning to create a design or pattern.

 

What would disqualify me from becoming an officer at Temple PD?

For the time requirements listed below, this refers to a minimum amount of time required to have passed between the date of the last incident and the date that an applicant attends the City of Temple Police Department Civil Service Entrance Examination. If there is not a time listed, then that item is a permanent disqualifier.

Criminal:

  • Evidence of the commision or being convicted of a Class A misdemeanor
  • Evidence of the commission or conviction of a Felony.
  • Evidence of the commision or being convicted of a Class C misdemeanor, or pending charge specifically involving moral turpitude offenses. These include, but are not limited to, Disorderly Conduct, Indecent Exposure, Theft, Peeping Tom.
  • DWI within 10 years entrance examination
  • Having illegally manufactured or delivered an illicit substance

 

Misdemeanor Narcotics:

  • Experimental (one time use) will disqualify for 2 years from the time of use, OR, 3 years for anything more than experimental use

Felony Narcotics: 

  • Experimental (one time use) will disqualify for 3 years from the time of use, OR, 5 years for anything more than experimental use

 

Driving Record / Traffic Offenses:

  • 4 or more moving violations within 5 years
  • 3 or more moving violations within 2 years
  • 2 moving violations within 12 months
  • 2 at-fault traffic accidents within 3 years 
  • Combination of moving violations within an at-fault accident within 3 years
  • Suspended or revoked license within 5 years
  • If suspension violation was for Purchase, Attempt Purchase, Consumption, Possession, or Misrepresent Age by Minor: must wait 2 years

 

Military

  • Unsatisfactory prior service either military or law enforcement
  • Failure to complete paperwork

 

Other Common Disqualifications:

  • Unfit mentally or physically
  • Unfit moral character 
How much money does a Temple Police Officer make a year?
  • PROBATIONARY OFFICER $70,500
  • POLICE OFFICER $72,093
    • 1 Year $73,535
    • 2 Years $75,005
    • 3 Years $76,505
    • 4 Years $78,036
    • 5 Years $79,596
    • 6 Years $81,188
    • 7 Years $82,812
    • 8 Years $84,468
    • 9 Years $86,158
    • 10 Years $87,881
  • CORPORAL Promotion $89,639
  • SERGEANT Promotion $91,431
    • 1 Year after Promotion $93,260
    • 2 Years after Promotion $95,125
    • 3 Years after Promotion $97,027
  • LIEUTENANT Promotion $106,344
    • 1 Year after Promotion $108,471
    • 2 Years after Promotion $110,640
    • 3 Years after Promotion $112,853
  • DEPUTY POLICE CHIEF Promotion $137,177
    • 1 Year after Promotion $139,920
    • 2 Years after Promotion $142,719
    • 3 Years after Promotion $145,573
What does the hiring process consist of?
What about TCOLE for out of state officers looking for a career move to Texas ?

Please visit the link below to find out more information about a career move to Texas.

https://www.tcole.texas.gov/content/out-state-peace-officers

What documents am I required to provide once I pass the Entrance Examination?

Join Temple PD

Sworn
Careers

Non Sworn
Careers