The El Paso Police Department BY: FERNIE ROBLES, PAOLA MEDINA, DAVID DAVILA, AND ADRIANA SANDOVAL
About the Deprtment The department is dedicated to providing services and to enforce the law and work with the community to enhance the quality of life of the City of El Paso.
History of the Department The El Paso Police Department has been in existence since the late 1800’s. The Department was formally “established” in 1884 though it was referred to as such on earlier occasions. The force was led by rapidly-rotating city marshals. Early in the Department’s history, the city marshal was often known as the worst of the worst, as was the case with other area law enforcement officers. It was necessary for the city marshal to have a rough reputation so they would not be challenged by the criminals. As earlier stated sometimes these men got their reputation through other law services these men included the first city marshals and Texas rangers.
The Police Departments Explorer Program Did you know that the Police Department has an explorer program for kids or people just like you and me? Well if you didn’t they do it helps you figure out if joining the department is the right career path. It’s almost like if you are in the academy and getting ready to go out on patrol for the very first time. They teach you how to talk on the radio with dispatch, how to correctly read license plates, and what certain codes to use or look out for when you are talking to dispatch. They pretty much are the department’s eyes and ears in the city.
How to join the department You must be a U.S Citizen or Naturalized Citizen Must have a G.E.D. or an Associate’s degree or 60 postsecondary semester credit hours. Must be 18 years of age when applying or be 21 years of age by the date of graduation from the academy. Must not have been convicted or charged of any misdemeanor above a Class B misdemeanor.
Will your salary change as you move up in rank? The answer is yes as you move your way up your payment amount will definitely change accordingly to the position you acquire. As a recruit in the academy your pay will be $16.28 per hour. And you would be bringing home about $1, bi-weekly. As an Officer of a minimum of 1 – 4 years of service you would be earning $38, And if you don’t think that’s a lot well this might. Well as an officer annually you'd be earning about $44, annually now isn't that a hole lot of cheddar. And as you move up in rank your earnings will change drastically and well lets just say you’ll be pretty well off.