Interim Police Chief: 'Our goal at HISD PD is to recruit officers that support protecting and serving students, staff, and the community'

Houston Independent School District (HISD) is looking for qualified police officers and is increasing the starting pay to join their team, according to a news release issued last week.

HISD has increased starting salary of an 11-month police officer to $54,000 and for a 12-month officer to $63,800, according to the news release issued July 17. Successful applicants will receive annual increases through their 16th year in rank, according to the news release. 

"Protecting and serving students, staff, and the community are critical components to school based law enforcement," HISD Interim Chief of Police Shamara Garner said in the news release. "Our goal at HISD PD is to recruit officers that support those critical components as well as our mission of 'We protect, We serve, and We solve.' 

HISD also will award a $1,000 bonus to all officers who remain with its police force in September while new hires will receive a $2,000 bonus for the upcoming academic year, according to the news release. The latter bonus will be awarded in two parts. The first part will be paid after the official offer is accepted, and the second part will be given following a successful completion of new hire field trainings. 

"Under direct supervision, [the police officer] administers a safe learning and working environment by protecting the rights and property of the students, staff, and the district," HISD says in the job description on its website, where applicants may apply. "[The officer] promotes safety and crime awareness and prevention. Implements proactive programs for the purpose of carrying out this mission, [as well as] trains probationary police officers"

The agency is the largest independent school district in Texas "with competitive salaries and benefits compared to other school districts and police agencies," Garner said.

Qualified applicants are those who have have a high school diploma or General Educational Development, up to five years work experience and an active Texas Commission on Law Enforcement license.

HISD police plans to host a virtual information session for prospective applicants on Thursday, according to the news release.