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Salary : $67,177.00 - $81,282.00 AnnuallyLocation : Big Spring, TXJob Type: Full-TimeJob Number: 2026-00146Department: PoliceDivision: Police DepartmentOpening Date: 03/20/2026Lateral Police Officer Recruit ProgramLateral Police Officer means entry into the Big Spring Police Department by an officer already trained and experienced in law enforcement at the Police Officer level. The program provides:A starting salary based on an officer's whole years of police officer experience. Credit for years of service at a public agency in an equivalent qualifying eligible role, for the purposes of vacation accrual in accordance with the established accrual rates.A one-time, upfront balance of hours deposited into a non-cashable leave bank (i.e., leave that cannot be cashed out in lieu of utilizing the paid time off) in the following tiers:80 hours - lateral with up to 5 years of full-time service120 hours - lateral with 5-10 years of full-time service160 hours - lateral with 10+ years of full-time serviceA qualifying applicant shall be defined as an officer with comparable job duties to a Big Spring Police Officer as a sworn peace officer, sergeant, or lieutenant. Likewise, "years of full-time service" will include the candidate's experience in a position with comparable job duties to those in Big Spring. Years of service with prior public agencies will be verified during the pre-employment background investigation and used solely for vacation accrual. Years of full-time service for sworn positions shall include service in a sworn peace officer position as defined by the Texas Penal Code.Lateral officers will have a six-month probationary period.WORKING CONDITIONS AND BENEFITSA Big Spring Police Officer works forty (40) hours per week on different shifts, and overtime may be required. Patrol officers work twelve-hour shifts with every other weekend off. The City of Big Spring offers excellent benefits, including a fully equipped take-home patrol vehicle, twelve paid holidays, tuition reimbursement, medical, dental, and vision insurance, deferred compensation program, City-paid life and long-term disability insurance, TMRS (7% 2 to 1 match), 120 hours of paid vacation, and 40 hours of paid sick leave. BSPD officers are not required to reside in Big Spring, but they must live within one hour of the City of Big Spring.Certified officers are eligible for a relocation incentive payment of $4,500.00, payable on the day of hire. Newly hired certified officers who relocate their primary residence to Big Spring are also eligible for an $800 monthly housing allowance for up to one year.Must have successfully completed a Police Basic Training Academy curriculum that meets Texas Penal Code requirements and be licensed by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE). Candidates must have a minimum of 12 months' full-time service (current employment preferred) as a certified Peace Officer from a comparable-sized agency with no more than a three-year break in service at the time they make an application with the Big Spring Police Department. *Military police, reserve officer, or other types of unpaid peace officer experience do not count as regular full-time peace officer experience.Applicants must be twenty-one (21) years of age on the day of testing for Peace Officer licensure.High School diploma or GED as required by the Texas Commission of Law Enforcement (TCOLE).Ability to read, write, and perform mathematical calculations at a level commonly associated with the completion of high school or equivalent.Possession of a valid driver's license issued by the State of Texas for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.Ability to meet current requirements set forth by the Texas Commission of Law Enforcement to be certified as a Peace Officer.No marijuana use in the two (2) years before the application date. No use of a controlled substance in the five (5)years before the application date.No arrest record with a higher than a Class C Misdemeanor.Pass the department's physical agility test.Must reside within a one-hour response time to the City of Big Spring.Familiar with the Texas Penal Code, the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, the Texas Transportation Code, and the Texas Family Code. Knowledge of relevant federal and state laws, criminal and traffic codes, juvenile law, search and seizure laws, and city ordinances.Knowledge of City of Big Spring Police Department rules and regulations as well as City of Big Spring ordinances.Knowledge of City, department, and safety policies and procedures.Knowledge of traffic accident investigation techniques and procedures.Knowledge of the geography and streets of the city.Knowledge of first-aid and CPR techniques.Knowledge of the judicial system and court procedures.Skill in operating a computer and police software.Skill in operating police vehicles, firearms, and emergency equipment.Skill in operating radios and communications equipment.Skill in operating radar equipment.Skill in evidence packaging.Skill in restraining persons without causing physical harm.Skill in decision-making.Skill in report writing.Skill in controlled substance field-testing.Skill in dealing with the public.Skill in oral and written communication.There are a wide variety of benefits available to City of Big Spring employees. These benefits include health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, optional life insurance plans, flexible spending account for health and dependent care, an Employee Assistance Program, and a Tuition Reimbursement Program.The City of Big Spring provides the following benefits to all regular, full-time employees:Texas Municipal Retirement SystemDeferred Compensation (Retirement)Health InsuranceDental InsuranceLife and Long Term Disability InsuranceCafeteria PlanWorkman's CompensationLongevity Pay for years of servicePaid UniformsStand By PayPaid Vacation and Sick LeavePaid HolidaysRecreation PrivilegesWellness ProgramTuition Reimbursement ProgramTexas Municipal Retirement SystemThe City of Big Spring is a member of the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS). Employee/employer supported retirement begins at the date of employment. An employee contributes seven percent of their monthly wages to TMRS. The City then matches the employee contribution two to 1 upon retirement. Employees are eligible to retire after 20 years of service. Retirement becomes vested after five years of participation in TMRS.Applicants with prior or current military could receive up to 60 months towards their retirement for TMRS.Deferred Compensation (Retirement)The 457b Deferred Compensation plan is provided to City employees in lieu of Social Security. Employees pay 6.7% of their adjusted gross salary. This amount is matched by the City as follows: 5.51% Contributed to the deferred compensation retirement 2.19% Pays for the life and disability insurance package 7.70% Total matched fundsHealth InsuranceThe City of Big Spring pays the cost of employees insurance and supplements the cost of dependent insurance. Dependent health insurance coverage is available at the following rates: Family Coverage $832.45/Monthly $416.23/Bi-Weekly Spouse Coverage $614.89/Monthly $307.45/Bi-Weekly Child Coverage $305.45/Monthly $152.73/Bi-WeeklyPayment for dependent health insurance coverage is deducted from employees' bi-weekly paychecks. Pharmacy cards are included in the health insurance package. If dependent insurance coverage is purchased, dependents will also receive the pharmacy card. Dental InsuranceDental insurance coverage is available to City employees at the following rates: Employee Only $22.08/Monthly $11.04/Bi-Weekly Employee and Spouse $44.78/Monthly $22.39/Bi-Weekly Employee and Children $49.64/Monthly $24.82/Bi-Weekly Employee and Family $72.40/Monthly $36.20/Bi-WeeklyPayments for dental insurance are deducted from employees' bi-weekly paychecks. Employees enrolled in the dental plan will also be eligible for the discount Vision Access program and receive discounts on vision care services or supplies.Vision InsuranceVision insurance coverage is available to City employees at the following rates: Employee Only $8.02/Monthly $4.01/Bi-Weekly Employee and Spouse $15.20/Monthly $7.60/Bi-Weekly Employee and Children $16.02/Monthly $8.01/Bi-Weekly Employee and Family $20.42/Monthly $10.21/Bi-WeeklyPayments for vision insurance are deducted from employees' bi-weekly paychecks. Life and Long Term Disability InsuranceThe City of Big Spring's life insurance policy provides for a death benefit equal to four times the employee's annual salary. In addition to the standard life insurance, employees may purchase optional life insurance. The long term disability package ensures that in the event of a permanent disability, a maximum of 20% of the employee's monthly salary is paid up to a maximum or $3,000.00 per month.Cafeteria Plan (AFLAC)The City provides a program to allow employees to tax shelter day care and certain medical expenses. This insurance provides a tax savings increasing the employee's take home pay.Workman's CompensationThe City of Big Spring meets the standard state requirements for Workman's Compensation. If an employee is injured on the job, he/she report the incident to the department supervisor immediately.Longevity Pay for Years of ServiceCity employees are given longevity pay based on their length of service with the City of Big Spring. After one year of service, City employees receive longevity payments on their bi-weekly paycheck. After two years of service, employees are given the option to continue to receive a bi-weekly payment or they can elect to bank their longevity payments. Employees who bank their longevity payments will receive a lump sum payment once a year, prior to the Thanksgiving holiday. Years of service Annual Bi-Weekly 1 to 9 $72.00 $2.7710 to 14 $96.00 $3.7015 to 19 $120.00 $4.6220+ years $144.00 $5.54UniformsThe City provides uniforms for employees who are required to wear certain attire to work. Three to five uniforms are furnished to employees, along with other suitable foul weather and safety gear. Police and Fire Department personnel may have different benefits.Stand By PayCity employees in certain positions are eligible for stand-by pay. Stand-by pay is $75 for each week the employee is required to serve on stand-by time. Stand-by time means a period of time outside an employee's regularly scheduled work hours, during which the employee is required to remain available within a specified response time. Each employee on stand-by who is called in to work shall be compensated for the actual hours worked at the appropriate rate of pay.Paid Vacation and Sick LeavePaid vacation days are time off work that the City of Big Spring voluntarily provides its employees as a benefit. The number of paid vacation days is accrued by full-time, permanent employees based on years of service. Vacation time is accrued based on the following schedule:Police Officer Vacation AccrualProbationary - 5 days/yearNon-Probationary1-9 years - 15 days/year10-14 years - 17 days/year15-19 years - 18 days/year20-24 years - 19 days/year25 plus years - 20 days/yearSick TimeFull-time permanent employees shall earn sick time based on the following schedule:1-2 years - 5 days/year3-4 years - 10 days/year5-9 years - 12 days/year10+ years - 15 days/yearVacation Buy Back Every November, eligible employees can sell back to the City, for cash, up to sixty-eight (68) hours of their accumulated vacation leave. Paid Holidays The City of Big Spring recognizes the following public holidays for City employees. Please note that most City employees work on a Monday through Friday schedule. As such, when a holiday falls on a non workday -- Saturday or Sunday -- the holiday usually is observed on Monday (if the holiday falls on Sunday) or Friday (if the holiday falls on Saturday).New Year's DayMartin Luther King Jr. DayPresidents DayGood FridayMemorial DayIndependence DayLabor DayVeterans DayThanksgiving Day and the day followingChristmas (two days given)Wellness ProgramIn an effort to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors, the City of Big Spring has implemented a Wellness Program for its employees. By joining the Wellness Program, employees receive access to the following benefits:Tobacco Cessation ProgramEmployee Assistance - counseling for chemical and/or alcohol abuse and mental health screeningsReduced cost gym memberships to the YMCA of Big SpringTuition Reimbursement ProgramThe City of Big Spring offers its full-time permanent employees a college Tuition Reimbursement Program. This program is designed to support employees with their personal and professional development by increasing their knowledge and skill level. The City reimburses employees for college tuition and books based on grades. Recreation PrivilegesCity employees are eligible for free entry into Moss Creek Lake and discounted fees at the Comanche Trail Golf Course.Relocation IncentiveCertified Police Officers are eligible for a relocation incentive payment in the amount of $2,400.00, payable upon hire. Employees must relocate their primary residence to Big Spring within 6 months of hire. Academy Expense ReimbursementAn officer hired by the Big Spring Police Department and having personally incurred expenses for tuition and fees within the twelve (12) months preceding the date of hire to attend any training school meeting Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education requirements for a basic academy and received his or her certification as a result, will be eligible for reimbursement in an amount not to exceed $1,500.00.Take Care Home ProgramThe Big Spring Police Department prides itself in having a take home car program. This program is designed for officers and citizens alike. The program allows police officers that live within a one-hour response time to the city limits of Big Spring to take their patrol units home at the end of their shift. Officers that live inside the city limits are allowed to drive their unit while off duty. This program enables officers to serve the public better by offering a crime deterrent by having extra officers driving the streets of Big Spring.