About the Austin Police Department

Austin Police Department has over 1,500 officers and 500 civilian employees and an annual budget imn excess of $186 million.  According to the Austin Police Department, “All cadets are assigned to attend the Austin Police Department Training Academy. The academy will last 32 weeks and each cadet will receive 1280 hours of instruction. Upon graduation, all newly commissioned officers will be assigned to the Field Training Officer program lasting 12 to 16 weeks. Newly commissioned officers are on probation for a period of 15 months after graduation. Police Officer' first duty assignment upon completion of the police academy is a patrol officer position in a patrol car. The officers schedule will be working 4 ten hour days with 3 days off.

Police Officer career paths/job assignments include the following, but are subject to change depending on the demands placed on the police department.”  

 After two years in grade, the Corporal or Detective is eligible to promote to the rank of Sergeant. Promotions are accomplished through a civil service examination coupled with an assessment center. Candidates completing the Assessment Center will have their seniority points added to their score and then placed on a eligibility list for a period of 18 months. Candidates not promoted by the end of the 18 month period, must start over with the promotional process.

Sergeants are eligible to promote to the rank of Lieutentant after two years in grade as a Sergeant. Promotions are accomplished through a civil service examination coupled with an assessment center. Candidates completing the Assessment Center will have their seniority points added to their score and then placed on a eligibility list for a period of 18 months. Candidates not promoted by the end of the 18 month period, must start over with the promotional process.

Lieutenants are eligible to promote to the rank of Commander after two years in grade as a Lieutenant. The rank of Commander is the last rank that can be attained by testing in conjuction with the Assessment Center. Promotions are accomplished through a civil service examination coupled with an assessment center. Candidates completing the Assessment Center will have their seniority points added to their score and then placed on a eligibility list for a period of 18 months. Candidates not promoted by the end.

Source:

Jimmie Davenport is a 18 year member of the Austin Police Department (Texas). He has spent 14 years in the K9 Unit. His duties have included setting up advanced training within the his K9 Unit for new and experienced handlers. Officer Davenport also has been a SWAT K9 for ten years and has helped design the SWAT K9 program currently in use. Officer Davenport has also written K9 training columns for SWAT magazine, Police K9 Magazine and International Police Working Dog Association.  Jimmie Davenport is the author of Run, But You Can't Hide.