How to hire a peace officer

How to hire a peace officer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step peace officer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a peace officer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new peace officer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a peace officer, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect peace officer also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   This list shows salaries for various types of peace officers.

   Type of Peace Officer	Description	Hourly rate
   Peace Officer	Police officers protect lives and property. Detectives and criminal investigators, who are sometimes called agents or special agents, gather facts and collect evidence of possible crimes.	$14-21
   Patrol Sergeant	A Patrol Sergeant oversees and performs security operations on an assigned shift. They conduct vehicular patrol of an assigned area, investigate the scenes of accidents, and make arrests, when required.	$21-34
   Military Police	Military police officers act as peacekeepers and soldiers within a community. They have more complicated duties and responsibilities than their civilian counterparts, which include enforcing military law and regulations, responding to emergency situations, and investigating crimes or any illegal or suspicious activities... Show more	$12-32

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Patrol
   • Public Safety
   • Motor Vehicle
   • Law Enforcement Agencies
   • Emergency Situations
   • Incident Reports
   • Police Academy
   • CPR
   • State Laws
   • Summonses
   • NYS
   • Fire Guard
   • Alertness
   • NYC

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Lead process improvement committee for officers to communicate with senior leadership desire changes for patrol division.
   • Conduct complex criminal investigations in correctional, patrol and investigative unit settings.
   • Administer CPR and first aid.
   • Train in CPR and other immediate care for self and others.
   • Monitor security systems, including CCTV, fire systems, and sensitive content alarms.
   • Experience in command central where CCTV cameras are monitored, and general information is relayed to the public and co-workers.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your peace officer job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A peace officer can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, peace officers' average salary in virginia is 49% less than in washington.
   • Seniority. Entry-level peace officers 33% less than senior-level peace officers.
   • Certifications. A peace officer with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a peace officer's salary.

   Average peace officer salary

   $37,631yearly

   $18.09 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level peace officer salary

   $30,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 23, 2026

4. Writing a peace officer job description

   A peace officer job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a peace officer job description:

   Peace officer job description example

   At Houston Methodist, the Peace Officer position is responsible for providing police authority by enforcing federal and state laws and city ordinances, as appropriate. This position provides law enforcement services and assists in protecting the rights and property of individuals throughout Houston Methodist. The position must take and maintain control of disruptive individuals for arrest by local law enforcement. The Peace Officer position must be employed by a licensed police agency and possess a Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (T.C.O.L.E.) license, that will also serve as evidence of use of force training.
   PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
   Job responsibilities labeled EF capture those duties that are essential functions of the job.
   
   PEOPLE - 35 %
   Protects the rights and property of individuals and provides law enforcement services throughout Houston Methodist. (EF) Actively responds to requests for personal security coverage, assistance with directions, information and guidance. (EF) Interacts with individuals in a supportive and respectful manner creating a positive work environment and contributing to a dynamic, team-focused work unit. (EF) Uses excellent, clear and professional communication skills to achieve mutual understanding and problem resolution, while providing the highest quality service during every patient, visitor and staff encounter. (EF)
   SERVICE - 20 %
   Responds to all radio dispatches, answers calls and complaints and assesses and makes recommendations as needed for all emergent situations. (EF) Performs duties in a designated fixed-post assignment. (EF) Secures premises and individuals by patrolling facilities, monitoring surveillance cameras, monitoring access points and permitting entry as needed. (EF)
   QUALITY/SAFETY - 25 %
   Accurately communicates and/or generates and completes reports by recording occurences, information, observations, surveillance activities and conducting witness interviews. (EF) Maintains a safe environment, following all policies and procedures for safety, hazardous material, emergency preparedness and HIPAA. (EF) Participates in training, drills and actual events according to policies and procedures. (EF)
   FINANCE - 10 %
   Prevents loss and damage by reporting irregularities. Facilitates policies regarding restitution, as appropriate. (EF) Utilizes and maintains HM and department equipment according to manufacturer specifications. (EF) Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks. Uses resources effectively and efficiently; does not waste supplies, minimizing incidental overtime, optimizing efficiency in all areas according to department specifications. (EF)
   GROWTH/INNOVATION - 10 %
   Assists and promotes a culture of workplace safety and proactively prevents workplace violence. (EF) Supports Houston Methodist and department goals and offers innovative solutions through participation in department projects. Assumes responsibility for self-growth and development by participating in in-services programs and continuing education. (EF)
   This job description is not intended to be all inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.
   
   EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
   Graduate of education program approved by the credentialing body for the required credential(s) indicated below in the Certifications, Licenses and Registrations section.
   EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
   Employed by a licensed law enforcement agency One (1) year law enforcement experience
   CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED
   Current Texas Commission on Law Enforcement license (T.C.O.L.E.) Commissioned through law enforcement agency
   KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED
   Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles Understand HIPAA and Patient confidentiality compliance Demonstrates emergency preparedness knowledge Proficient computer skills including knowledge of Microsoft Office software and Webmail. Must be able to handle and prioritize multiple tasks and function calmly in stressful situations including handling of, or exposure to confidential/sensitive information Ability to assess and evaluate information effectively, ability to identify critical issues quickly and accurately, attention to detail and proficiency in documentation
   SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
   Work Attire Yes/No Uniform Yes Scrubs No Business professional No Other (dept approved) No
   On-Call* No (for Non-Exempt or Exempt jobs) *Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. Disaster, Severe Weather Event, etc) regardless of selection above. Travel** May require travel within No Houston Metropolitan area
   May require travel outside No of Houston Metropolitan area
   **Travel specifications may vary by department.
   
   Please note any other special considerations to this job: Official law enforcement uniform in coordination with Houston Methodist dress code standards
   
   Company Profile: Since 1998, Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital has been serving Fort Bend and the surrounding counties. Residents have come to rely on a level of compassionate care and leading-edge technology that was once available only in the Texas Medical Center. Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital tied for No. 5 in Houston and No. 9 (four-way tie) in Texas in U.S. News & World Report's best hospital rankings in 2022. With 324 operating beds, 23 operating rooms and more than 2,400 employees, Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital provides comprehensive, personalized care for the community.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find peace officers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any peace officers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level peace officers with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your peace officer job on Zippia to find and recruit peace officer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting peace officers requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new peace officer

   Once you've decided on a perfect peace officer candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   To prepare for the new peace officer first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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