The holidays came early to the Houston Police Department’s 177 cadets. Both they, and future cadets through June 30, 2024, are eligible for up to $10,000 in incentive pay. The incentive is thanks to the approval of Mayor Sylvester Turner and Houston City Council, and federally funded through the American Rescue Plan Act.
“Recruiting is a challenge all police departments face,” said Houston Police Chief Troy Finner. “While we have been successful in our recruiting efforts and maintaining acceptance standards, this incentive allows HPD to remain competitive in the law enforcement market and continue to attract the most qualified applicants.”
Cadets currently enrolled in the Houston Police Department training academy’s three current cadet classes will receive the $10,000 incentive in a lump sum upon graduation and completing Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) requirements. The first group of cadets are scheduled to receive their incentive pay on January 13, 2023.
Cadets starting in the academy after November 29, 2022 will receive the incentive in three stages:
- Academy Start: $2,500 to be paid within 30 days of beginning the Police Academy
- Mid-way: $2,500 to be paid after completing three months in the Police Academy
- Completion: $5,000 to be paid after completion of the 6-month Police Academy and TCOLE requirements
The employee must have demonstrated satisfactory performance and attendance based upon the department’s policies and procedures concerning review standards.
KJS/SOA 12-20-22