Our mission is to provide "Quality Service in Partnership with our Community".

A wide variety of career opportunities are available for individuals with varied interests, talents, and skills. Officers are promoted within the ranks, so a career with the Odessa Police Department offers potential for advancement and promotion.  Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.
 

What does it take to be an Odessa Police Officer?   A deep sense of patriotism, unyielding dedication to protecting the public, sacrifice, and a passion for the American way of life is just the beginning.  The desire and dedication to make a difference in the lives of many is an important trait to have to be an Odessa Police Officer.

 A career with the Odessa Police Department offers:

• Prestige and Respect
• Personal Satisfaction
• Variety of Assignments
• A Chance to Make Your Own Decisions 

The Odessa Police Department facility houses 170 sworn personnel, plus 59 civilian personnel.  The Bureaus within the Department include Criminal Investigations and Patrol Services.

Officers have the opportunity to transfer and/or specialize in numerous divisions and sections within the Department.  The areas include:  Support Services, Detectives, Patrol/Traffic, K-9, Special Investigations, Street Crimes Unit, and S.W.A.T. Team.

Uniforms:  All uniforms and equipment are furnished by the Department, with the exception of bullet proof vests and footwear.  Uniforms are professionally dry cleaned at no expense to the employee.

Employment:  Lateral Entry at the Corporal Level

Effective October 1, 2007, the Odessa Police Department will begin accepting lateral entry at the corporal level for new officers who meet certain requirements. The requirements apply to an applicant’s law enforcement experience and for individuals with three (3) years of continuous, full time sworn law enforcement experience, will include the following:

1. Current Texas peace officers from another agency.

2. Former Texas peace officers who have been unemployed as a peace officer for less than two (2) years and who successfully has his/her peace officer license reactivated.

3. Current or former peace officers from another state with less than two (2) years of inactivation and who successfully challenge the TCLEOSE test in order to become licensed in Texas.

4. Military personnel who successfully challenge the TCLEOSE test and who have three (3) years of continuous, full-time service as a military police officer or other similar assignment.

This change is intended to serve as an incentive to potential applicants in a very competitive job market. It will result in experienced officers not starting at the bottom of the pay scale and to receive pay which is more closely commensurate with their level of experience.

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About Odessa, TX: Odessa, Texas was incorporated on April 28, 1927.  It is located in the western portion of Texas, in the heart of the Permian Basin.  The city's elevation is approximately 2,890 feet and there is favorable weather year round with an average temperature of 63.5.