Meet Your Recruiter

For those of you in our hiring process, I would like to introduce myself; I’m Terry Houston, background investigator. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Administration of Justice from Texas Southern University.

I am a 14-year veteran of the Houston Police Department. I spent two years in Patrol where my duties were to maintain order by acting as a first responder to emergencies, investigating crimes, and performing community outreach.

I was then selected to become a Traffic and Accident Investigator where I spent the last ten years before being chosen to work in the recruiting section of the Human Resources Division.

I am currently assigned to background investigations within the unit. I have been here for two years. In addition to patrol duties, accident division, I have also served 12 years concurrently on our Special Response Team (SRG).

The Houston Police Department has provided me the training, support and skills needed to perform my duties to the best of my ability. I love HPD and I know you will too. The first time you help someone in need is something you will never forget. I urge you to take the next step and come work with me, I know you will love it too.

My wife, Cassandra, is also a Houston Police Officer and we have three boys.

Reminder: If you are in our hiring process you MUST report any changes of residency, employment or police contacts to your Background Investigator as soon as possible. You may call our Office (713) 308-1300 to be directed to your investigator.

I’m Terry Houston and I’m a Recruiter.

740 KTRH - The Michael Berry Show

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I had the opportunity to interview on The Michael Berry Show on 740 KTRH radio yesterday. Click the play tab above to listen to the clip. I want to personally thank Mr. Berry for allowing me to be on his show and get the word out that HPD is hiring. http://www.ktrh740.com/

Running in Style- The Police Academy gets a new running track!

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The existing running track surface was comprised of crushed granite and was neither practical nor safe when conducting sprinting or other running tests. With the need to continually test all employees and cadets in the area of physical fitness, a reliable and safe running surface was absolutely necessary. In January 2006 a new running track was approved to replace the existing track at the Academy to a new location south of the Administration building. In April 2007 Natex Corporation Architects were hired for design services. In February 2008 the project was advertised for bid and awarded for construction in October 2008 to AAA Asphalt Paving, Inc., General Contractor. Fisher Tracks, Inc was the sub contractor that installed the EPDM rubber granule Poly Mat system. On February 25, 2009 construction was complete and ribbon cutting ceremony occurred today at 11AM.

I was there this morning as all four academy classes along with the training staff, Lieutenant Fausek, Captain Lentschke and Assistant Chief Buenik took the new track for a test ride.

Applicant's, if you are not already running, start! Get in shape now and do not wait until the last minute.

Meet Your Recruiter

Occasionally over the next few months I will be highlighting our officers and supervisors in the Recruiting Unit. I thought it would be nice to have them tell you a little about themselves, their most rewarding experience as a police officer and how long they have been recruiting. Look for future posts labeled "Meet Your Recruiter". As a matter of fact, I am going to start right now:

I have been in law enforcement for almost twenty years. I have served as an officer with the Houston Police Department for the past ten years. Just prior to joining the Houston Police Department, I worked as a probation officer for ten years. I wanted to expand my opportunities and decided to join HPD. As a rookie straight out of the academy, I was placed in one of the most active beats in Houston. This assignment afforded me valuable experience beyond compare.

During Hurricane Katrina, evacuees from New Orleans created a massive number of citizens to be placed in a very small geographical area, which led to hundreds of calls for service in just one day. While the Katrina situation was unfortunate, this is the time I remember the most as a patrolman. I had an opportunity to help many people. Some evacuees were turned away from hotels due to no vacancies. It was challenging but rewarding to work hand in hand with fellow officers to help these displaced citizens. We were able to find available rooms, provide transportation and help feed everyone in need. Offering encouragement to individuals who had just lost everything except the clothes on their back was heartbreaking. The handshakes and hugs from the evacuees as we helped each adult and child was the most rewarding experience in my career as a Houston Police Officer so far.

I have been in the Recruiting Unit for almost three years now and I truly enjoy helping individuals become Houston’s Finest!

I’m Abrian Nelson, and I’m a Recruiter.

The Rookies

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I am just getting back from a recruiting trip in Chicago, Illinois. We enjoyed meeting everyone there. As I left for Houston it was 9 degrees at the Chicago airport. As I settled into my seat on the plane to come home, I heard the pilot as he came over the intercom to tell us the Houston forecast; "Sunny skies and 70 degrees." I smiled and took off my ski jacket.

I came across this old advertisement for a television show called "The Rookies". As I watched it I couldn't help but notice all the running they do. You do run in this line of work, but come on...

Thank You Chicago!

Thank you for meeting with us over the last few days. We had a good turn out and it was a pleasure interviewing you all. Hope to see you in Houston very soon. As I write this email in my hotel room, it is snowing outside. In case you are still wondering if Houston is the right choice, weather.com has our weather at 70 degrees and sunny right now.

Big Dog

Sometimes it's good to be the big dog. Opportunities with the Houston Police Department are almost endless. From riding a horse to flying a helicopter you can do it here. If your thinking about making a change in your career and you want to become a police officer why not join HPD and run with the "big dogs".

Windy City!

Chicago applicant's welcomed us today at the Holiday Inn Express in Rolling Meadows, Illinois (Chicago Suburb). As I write this post on the blog, I have applicant's from the Chicago area filling out their applications in the lobby right now. It's not to late to visit with us. If you are interested in completing your preliminary interview, email me at officermccoy@gmail.com and we will fit you in tomorrow. We will be holding another interview session in the conference room at the Holiday Inn located directly in front of the Holiday Inn Express at 9:00am sharp tomorrow (Tuesday February 17, 2009). Email me for directions and the exact address. Hope to see you there!

Driving Skills

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Hong Kong Recruiting Commercial

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It does not matter if you are in Houston or Hong Kong, everyone feels the same when they decide to become a police officer. It's about making a difference, answering the call and having a chance to change a negative outcome into a positive one. You are the front line, the blue line if you will, between good and evil. I came across a very compelling recruitment commercial from Hong Kong. It says it all, without saying anything at all.

Chicago, Illinois area

We will be attending the Spring Job Fair at Illinois State University on February 18, 2009 located at the Bone Student Center in Normal, Illinois from 10:00am-3:00pm. We hope to see you there!

Why HPD?

The Houston Police Department has so many opportunities. I was speaking with someone at the Houston Auto Show last week and he was telling me how bored he was at work and wanted to make a change. He reminded me of a video I put together last year. This is just a portion of what is available within the Houston Police Department. Click on the following link to watch:
http://hpdcareer.blogspot.com/2008/05/blog-post_22.html

Meet Officer Adrianna Roberts

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I was in the photo lab this morning and I ran into Officer Roberts and her Field Training Officer. She was learning how to put together a photo line up for a call she was on. She told me things were going great and she loved her job. Officer Roberts graduated from Academy Class 200 last month and is currently training with a veteran officer.

Helicopter Unit

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Superbowl Commercials

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The Superbowl is over. What a game. As I watched the commercials, Careerbuilder.com and Monster.com commercials stood out in my mind when it comes to career choices. They always have clever ways of showing people in need of a career change. The one where the lady is yelling in her car before going to work or the one with the moose head. They were all great. All the commercials that were submitted to be shown, could not be shown. I came across one of the commercials that was not shown during the Superbowl by Monster.com and thought I would share.

If your in need of a career change, why not HPD. I promise it will be exciting and challenging. Everyday is different. Apply online today!