Inside Dallas police recruiting: They can be officers tested in terms of physical and mental fitness

For those who want to become one of the greatest police officers in the country, the process begins in the morning to complete the headquarters of the Dallas Police.

About twice a month, the Dallas Police Department holds an open recruitment meeting at police headquarters where prospective officers present themselves to begin the background check process and undergo a background check. physical activity under the watchful eye of departmental employers. Of those who pass the initial screening test, approximately 91.5% of applicants, proceed to a medical and psychological examination and undergo a polygraph test to test their previous answers.

Good marks during this process mean that the applicant can move on to the Dallas police academy. Forty weeks and 1,400 hours of training later, they can become a full-fledged police officer.

The majority of the applicant pool is usually around 30 to 40 applicants, and they apply more in the early summer when school ends, and less in the winter months, officials say. About 40 arrived Thursday morning.

The process begins with applicants filling out forms for background checks and providing employers with their jobs. documents such as driver’s license, Social Security card, birth certificate and college and high school transcripts. Applicants then proceed to the physical fitness test, which consists of tasks to measure their vertical jump, bench press ability, skill test, push-ups, sit-ups and meter spring 300 and a half mile race. .

Applicants spoke Thursday morning about their desire to serve their community and protect others.

Kassidy Green, 30, came to Dallas Police Headquarters to apply to become a police officer. Originally from Dallas, he said he wanted to join the military to protect and serve, something he said stemmed from his desire to protect his family.

Green also said he appreciates the team values ​​within the police department.

He said: “I really like the company. “I really want to have the next man’s back, and show myself and put my foot down for the next guys that come behind me and protect those around me.”

For Jaelon Martin, 23, joining the police seemed like the next step after leaving the US Marines Corps. Coming from Mississippi, he said he’s seen a lot of overlap between law enforcement and the military.

Army veteran Wesley Yellowwings, 32, said joining the police force is something he has always wanted to do, for the same reasons he joined the army. He said that his time in the army was to serve his country, but now he wants to serve his community.

Chris Martinez, 21, said he moved to Dallas from the Rio Grande Valley to try to become a Dallas police officer. Martinez said officers should be role models for their communities.

“Everyone needs to be protected,” he said. “I want to be an example to everyone.”

Applicants who pass the initial recruitment stages go on to the Dallas Police Academy, which consists of 1,400 hours of training spread over 40 weeks. Recruits learn the Texas Penal Code, municipal codes and traffic laws,’ and are trained in the handling, searching and handling of firearms, firearms, security tactics and emergency vehicle operations.

Dallas PD recruits are also taught some Spanish, which exceeds the standard set by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.

The on-site training and recruiting events come shortly after voters narrowly passed Proposition U on the Nov. 1 ballot. 5, which calls for Dallas to hire about 900 police officers.

A department spokeswoman said police recruiters are attending job fairs throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area, the state of Texas and the country to seek applicants. The department also offers off-site testing, meaning interested applicants can submit their applications and conduct an interview without needing to travel to Dallas.