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Employment
One Badge, Unlimited Possibilities
A wide variety of career opportunities are available for members of the department. Promotions occur within the ranks, so a career with the Odessa Police Department offers potential for advancement and promotion. Our goal at OPD is to foster internal growth and development so we can cultivate the best Officers and Leaders to lead our agency.
What does it take to be an Odessa Police Officer? A deep sense of commitment, patience, empathy, and an unyielding dedication to serving others.
Careers
A career with the Odessa Police Department offers a multitude of opportunities as Officers progress within our agency. .
The Odessa Police Department facilities accommodate 182 sworn officers, plus 54 supporting civilian personnel. The Department consists of three Bureaus: Administration, Operations, and Special Operations.
Officers have the opportunity to transfer and/or specialize in numerous divisions and units within the Department, after one year of being assigned as a Patrol Officer.
| SPECIAL OPERATIONS BUREAU | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1 Deputy Chief - 1 Captain | ||
| Criminal Investigations Division 1 Lieutenant | Intelligence Division 1 Lieutenant | Traffic Unit 1 Sergeant |
| Crimes Against Persons Unit 1 Sergeant 5 Detectives | Narcotics and VICE 1 Sergeant 6 Detectives | Traffic Enforcement 6 Traffic Officers |
| Crimes Against Property Unit 1 Sergeant 8 Detectives | IMPACT 1 Sergeant 6 Detectives | Fatal Crash Reconstruction 2 Crash Reconstructionist |
| Homicide Unit 1 Sergeant 4 Detectives | Criminal Intelligence and Intelligence Center 1 Sergeant 2 Intelligence Detectives 2 Criminal Intelligence Analysts | Hit and Run Investigations 1 Investigator |
| FIELD OPERATIONS BUREAU | ||
|---|---|---|
| Patrol Divisions Division "A" - 1 Lieutenant, 3 Sergeants, 25 Officers Division "B" - 1 Lieutenant, 3 Sergeants, 25 Officers Division "C" - 1 Lieutenant, 3 Sergeants, 25 Officers Division "D" - 1 Lieutenant, 3 Sergeants, 25 Officers | K9 Handlers Patrol - 4 K9 Handlers Special Operations - 1 K9 Handler | Specialized Units |
| Special Weapons and Tactics Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) Drone Unit Honor Guard Peer Support | ||
| Training Division Police Academy Defensive Tactics Field Training Coordinator Firearms Training Unit Virtra Virtual SImulator | Media Relations Media Engagement Digital Video Production Public Information | Community Relations Crime Prevention Programs and Initiatives Community Engagement Programs Volunteer Units |
Uniforms, Equipment, & Take-Home Vehicle Program
All uniforms (except footwear) and equipment, including a take-home vehicle (currently Chevrolet Tahoes), are furnished by the Department.
The department also provides a uniform allowance for the criminal investigation division, training division, and as approved by the Chief of Police.
Upon successful completion of the Field Training Program, Officers are issued their take-home unit.
Officers must reside in Ector, Midland, Andrews, Ward, or Crane Counties and be able to respond to the Odessa Police Department within 45 minutes of notification from their residence to be eligible to participate. In some instances depending on specialty assignment to a unit or task force, the Chief of Police may authorize residency outside of these areas.
Lateral Entry at the Corporal Level
Effective July 1, 2013, the Odessa Police Department began a Lateral Entry Program for Police Officers. This program serves as a recruitment incentive, allowing licensed peace officers to join the ranks of the Odessa Police Department at a higher entry-level salary. This salary is based on past law enforcement tenure, granting salary credit for at least two continuous years of service with a past employer. Lateral entry Police Officers will be placed on the pay scale at the step equivalent to their years of qualified service.
The program affects salary alone. Other programs within the Department where tenure is an issue (i.e., promotional eligibility, shift assignments, specialized unit assignment, etc.) are not affected.
Program Details:
• Certified/licensed candidates from municipal, county, state, or federal law enforcement agencies are eligible and may be in-state or out-of-state.
• The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) must license federal and out-of-state candidates before receiving Lateral Entry pay.
• All new officers are initially hired at the rank of Police Officer. Suppose an officer is eligible for the rank of Corporal at the time of hire. In that case, they shall promote to the Corporal rank immediately after successful completion of the Corporal exam.
• Persons entering laterally into the Department may challenge the Corporal exam at any time.
Military Veterans
The department prides itself on being an amazing learning department and is a perfect fit for transitioning members of our military that chose to serve our country and are looking for a department that will fit their values. Members of the military are eligible for expedited promotions within our agency.