Hiring Disqualifiers

Arrests

Arrests do not automatically disqualify an applicant from the hiring process. All Sworn Police Officer applicants shall be disqualified for the following reasons:

• Convicted of, at any time, any felony offense.
• Convicted of or on court-ordered community supervision or probation for any criminal offense above the grade of class B misdemeanor.
• Convicted of or on court-ordered community supervision or probation for a class B misdemeanor within the last ten years.
• Is currently charged with any criminal offense for which conviction would be a bar to licensure.
• Convicted of any offense involving Family Violence as defined by the Texas Penal Code.
• Is prohibited by state or federal law from operating a motor vehicle, or possessing firearms or ammunition.
• Dishonorably discharged from the military or discharged based on misconduct which bars future military service.
• Showing a trace of drug dependency or illegal drug use after a blood test or other medical test.
• Currently has peace officer license suspended.

Additional Disqualifiers

The following may also be a disqualification:

• Dismissed with just cause from public service employment under other than honorable conditions or resigned to avoid such.
• This includes dishonorably discharged as a peace officer where: retired or resigned in lieu of termination for a criminal offense; terminated for a criminal offense with or without charges filed; retired or resigned in lieu of termination for administrative violations of truthfulness or insubordination; or terminated for administrative violations of truthfulness or insubordination.
• This also included general discharge as a peace officer where: retired or resigned while under investigation for a criminal violation, after the officer was advised in writing of the criminal investigation; or retired or resigned through mutual agreement with the governmental entity and is not eligible to reapply.

Disqualifiers for All Applicants

The following will be causes for disqualification for any applicant; this information has also been included on the personal history statement:

• Has made false statements in any material fact; withheld information, practiced or attempted to practice any deception or fraud in the application, examination, or appointment. Depending on the variables involved, disqualification may be either permanent or temporary.
• Has failed to complete or satisfactorily meet the employment process requirement for the respective department, failure to fill in all blanks, failure to provide notary seals required, missing documents, including missed appointments, failure to return necessary paperwork, failure to notify the department of changes in address or telephone numbers, or who otherwise failed to complete the application process. This is a temporary disqualification.
• Has traffic violations exceeding 5 events, either moving violations or preventable accidents, in the preceding 36 months or a reckless driving conviction in the preceding 60 months. This is a temporary disqualification.
• Has any of the following within the past 3 years:
  • Failure to stop and rend aid
  • Leaving the scene of an accident
  • Driving with license suspended
  • Had driver's license suspended
• Has an unstable job history.
  • This includes the applicant changing jobs at less than 3-year intervals for reasons other than promotions or those reasons beyond the applicant's control, such as company closures, temporary positions, or layoffs.
  • This also includes previous termination by an employer because of conduct that would violate the City of Leander Personnel Policy. Also includes a history of inability to get along with co-workers or creating a hostile working environment.
  • Depending on the variables involved, disqualification may be either permanent or temporary.
• Has tattoos in violation of Department SOP Chapter 2.
  • Tattoos, body art, and branding that display an offensive design or wording. Size and color may also be used as a factor when determining offensiveness. Any tattoos, body art, or branding of the face, neck, or head are prohibited. Exceptions must be approved by the chief of police.
• Must not have engaged in the use of a drug, narcotic, or controlled substance other than marijuana, within the five years preceding the application submittal, except under the care of a physician.
• Must not have engaged in the use of marijuana, within the three years preceding the application submittal, except under the care of a physician.
• Must not have abused any prescription medication within the last 5 years.
• Involvement in the illegal delivery or furnishing of any controlled substance or drug to another and received remuneration or any benefit. This is a permanent disqualification.
• More than one filing of bankruptcy within a 10-year period prior to the date of application or any bankruptcy in progress at the time of application.
• Candidates currently under a granted bankruptcy, which is part of a payment plan at the time of application, will not be disqualified for that reason alone.
• Prior or current unethical conduct, intentional misrepresentation, or intentional falsifications during the selection process may permanently disqualify a candidate from reapplication.