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Detention Officers
The Bexar County Adult Detention Center is the 16th largest jail in the nation and houses multiple security and custody levels.
As a Bexar County Detention Officer you will be expected to control, secure and manage inmates at the Adult Detention Center and Jail Annex by:
- Supervising inmates assigned to different work details
- Booking and Classifying inmates
- Transferring and Transporting inmates
- Performing inmate inspections, shakedowns and room searches
- Responding to and resolving crisis situations such as fights, fires and medical emergencies and restraining physically violent inmates
- Assisting with inmates personal needs such as telephone calls, mail, laundry, visits and commissary
- Completing and processing required paperwork on inmates and events occurring within the jail facilities
To ensure the best candidates are selected for the Bexar County Sheriff's Office, all Detention Cadet applicants are taken through a detailed hiring process that includes:
- Submission of Online Application
- Complete Personal History Statement
- Pre-Interview
- Written Exam
- Physical Agility Obstacle Course
- Polygraph Exam
- Background Investigation
- Formal Screening Board
- Psychological Evaluation
- Medical Examination
- Orientation
Online Application
All applicants must apply online. The position is posted as "Detention Cadet." As soon as you submit your application successfully, you will receive a confirmation email. Your application is first sent to Bexar County HR to be screened for minimum qualifications.
Personal History Statement
Once it has been determined you meet the minimum qualifications, your application is forwarded to Applicant Processing at the Sheriff's Office.
The Applicant Processing Office will then send another email prompting you to complete the attached Personal History Statement and make an appointment to turn it in. Once we have received all documentation required and you still meet all minimum standards, you will be instructed to schedule an entrance exam consisting of written and physical agility portions.
Pre-Interview
Upon completion of the Personal History Statement, you will call to make an appointment to turn in all required documents. The Applicant Processing staff will review all of your paperwork while you are present and follow up with a "pre-interview." You will be given a conditional offer as well as a polygraph questionnaire to prepare you for your next step - polygraph examination.
Written Exam
The written exam is a 56 multiple-choice question personal aptitude test consisting of grammar, spelling, math, memorization, and a diagram. We currently do not have a study guide for the written exam. Upon completion of the written exam, the test proctor will provide you with your score. A 70 or above is considered a passing score. If pass the written exam, you will be sent to complete Physical Agility exam.
Physical Agility Obstacle Course
The Physical Agility Exam (PAE) is administered the same day as the written exam. The PAE consists of push-ups, sit-ups, and a 1.5 mile run.
Click here for more information about the Physical Agility Obstacle Course
Polygraph Exam
You will be contacted by the Polygraph Examiner to schedule your appointment. Your polygraph can take from 2-4 hours.
Background Investigation
We will conduct a background investigation using information you have provided as well as outside sources i.e. your fingerprints, and other law enforcement database information.
Formal Screening Board
Once your background and polygraph are complete, you will be contacted to schedule your Screening Board which is a formal oral board interview with 3 ranked officers.
Psychological Evaluation
You will be evaluated by a physician to determine whether you are fit to carry out the duties of a Detention Officer.
Medical Examination
You will undergo a routine wellness physical as well as a urinalysis test for drug screening.
Orientation
Once you have been entirely vetted, you will attend an Orientation one week prior to the start of the Academy.
Benefits
- Shift Differential
- $2 for $1 Retirement Plan
- Wellness Rewards Program
- Jail Proficiency Pay
- Dental Benefits
- Education Benefits including Tuition Reimbursement and training
- Employee Health and Wellness Clinic
- Flexible Spending Accounts (flexible tax-deferred health and dependent care accounts)
- Legal Plan
- Life Insurance
- Financial Program including savings programs and deferred compensation plans (457 plans)
- Longevity Pay
- Sick Leave Pool
- Mentoring and Leadership Development
- Free Parking
- Medical Benefits
- Paid Leave (sick, vacation, holiday, personal, military)
- Employee Assistance Program
- Transportation benefits including a Flex Spending Account, Van Pool, Carpool services, and Via Bus services
- Vision Care Plan
- Supplemental Insurances including short and long term disability, critical care, critical illness, intensive care, cancer, and accident plans
The Bexar County Sheriff's Office Detention Academy is currently fourteen (14) weeks long. The Academy runs Monday through Friday with an approximate 8:00 am to 5:00 pm schedule. As a Cadet, the monthly salary is $2,975. Upon graduation, the monthly salary increases to $3114 for the first year as a Detention Officer. After one year upon completion of probation, the salary increases again to $3309 monthly.
The Detention Academy is based on the completion of three core criteria; academic, physical fitness, and skills. The cadet must successfully complete all three. Academics include BCSO policies, procedures, and state law. Cadets must undergo physical fitness and skills/tactics training every day. This training includes daily exercise, defensive tactics, boxing, weapons training, etc.
At the end of the training, Cadets must take the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) state exam to receive a jailer's license.
Following the Academy, new Detention Officers will undergo a three (3) week Detention Training period (DTO) in which they will shadow a Detention Training Officer for hands-on experience. During the DTO period, new officers will be exposed to the tasks involved in all shifts. In the second week of DTO, each Officer will focus on the specific shift he or she will be assigned."
Where Does This Road Go?
What happens after I graduate?
Once you graduate, you will be placed in the DTO training program. This is a two week, hands on training that can be extended to three weeks if needed to help you handle the inmate units on your own.
Detention has so many opportunities. The longer you stay, the more options you have!
After six months in the units you will have the opportunity to apply for different areas as openings occur:
- Booking - Booking and Releasing Inmates
- SERT - Special Emergency Response Team
After your one year probation is complete:
- Classifications
- Human Services
- Jail Industries
- Commissary
- Transportation Team
- Front Desk Administration
- Facilities
- Grievances
- Jail Support
- Laundry
- Planning and Development
- Standards Accreditation and Compliance
- Work Release
After two years of continuous service as a Detention Officer:
- Plus a Jailer Certificate from TCOLE (Texas Commission on Law Enforcement) which includes 15 hours of college hours you will be eligible to test for promotion to Detention Corporal. Or,
- Plus one year with a Peace Officer License you will be eligible to test for transfer into the Law Enforcement Division.
After two years of continuous service in the rank of Detention Corporal:
- Plus an Intermediate Jailers License from TCOLE which includes 30 college hours you will be eligible to test for
Detention Sergeant.
After two years of continuous service in the rank of Detention Sergeant:
- Plus an Intermediate Jailers License from TCOLE which includes 45 college hours you will be eligible to test for Detention Lieutenant.
After two years of continuous service in the rank of Detention Lieutenant:
- Plus an Advanced Jailers Certificate from TCOLE which includes 60 college hours you will be eligible to test for Detention Captain.
The availability of these opportunities is based on attendance and performance.