Meet your Recruiter

I was born and raised in Houston. I have always wanted to be a police officer. While growing up I always played cops and robbers with my ten brothers and four sisters. As a single parent I was not able to attend college right after high school. Once my daughter got a little older I was determined to become a Houston Police officer.

I obtained my Associate's Degree in Law Enforcement at Houston Community College, while working as a civilian in the Dispatch and Records Division. I graduated from the Houston Police Academy (class #176) on March 03, 2000. I successfully completed the Field Training Program and worked as a patrol officer at Northeast Patrol station and later, Southeast Patrol station. Along with my patrol duties, I was a Field Training Instructor and got to instill my passion and experience on young officers as they started their career.

I have since obtained my Bachelor's of Science degree in Criminal Justice and my Master of Arts degree in Criminology, while taking advantage of the department’s educational reimbursement program. The department’s reimbursement program was extremely important to me. Coming from a very large family, my parents could not afford to send me to college. The police department helped me achieve my goal and allowed me to further my education.

I’m excited to be part of the Recruiting Unit and even prouder to be a police officer with the Houston Police Department. I plan on giving my best to the unit while obtaining quality applicants who, like me, are proud to become Houston police officers. It is an exciting, challenging and fulfilling career.

I am Officer Miller and I am a Recruiter.

Three Things

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Assistant Chief Brian Lumpkin, Professional Development Command, spoke with the men and women of Academy Class 202 prior to them walking across the stage on graduation night. Emotions ran high and excitement filled the air as Assistant Chief Lumpkin gave them some wise words of advice to take with them that night.

Are you ready to make a difference in your community? Are you ready to step up to the plate and become a hometown hero like these 52 of 202?

Apply today at http://www.hpdcareer.com/

$12,000 Incentive

Many readers have inquired about the $12,000 hiring incentive. The annual compensation for the first year is currently $43,965, which includes the incentive. Once the incentive is removed starting with Academy Class 208, the annual compensation will be $31,965. After you get through your first year of training (academy and six months of probation) and begin your second year you will get a substantial pay increase to the mid-40's depending on your education. You do not have to pay for our academy and you will start getting paid your first day of training.

Speaking of the academy, many readers also ask if they have to live at the academy. You do not have to live at the academy. You attend as you would college and go home every night. A typical day at the academy starts at 6:30 am and ends at 4:00 pm. You will have weekends and holidays off during the academy.

Apply today at http://www.hpdcareer.com/ and take the first step to a stable and rewarding career.

What Opportunities does HPD have to offer? Click here: http://hpdcareer.blogspot.com/2008/05/blog-post_22.html

Pressure Relief!

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Once you reach your goal and it's graduation night you can start to see yourself making a difference. The pressure ends, but in reality it begins. Stay sharp, stay focused, make us proud! Congratulations 202!

202, What did you do?

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Six months of hard work, extensive studying and time away from the family is hard to endure at times. Class members of Academy Class 202 completed their academy class on April 21, 2009. The last few classes that I have filmed, I have produced a segment called "What did you do?" These videos have proven to be very popular not only among my readers, but by the cadets as well. I encourage the cadets to let loose and be themselves for a bit. After all, the hard work paid off and they were about to graduate later that night. These segments often have a touch of humor in them. Class 202 was no exception.

Academy Class 202 - Final Roll Call

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Academy Class 202 conducted their final roll call as cadets yesterday morning. Class 205, 204, and 203 were on hand to watch with respect as these cadets finished their task at hand. They graduated after six months of the best police training a man or woman could receive. Talking with cadets from other classes, they were both proud and a bit envious watching the final roll call. They knew that very soon, they to, would be making their final appearance on the courtyard to shout out their names for the last time in a white uniform. You will never forget your classmates or your class number. Welcome to your extended family. Congratulations Class 202.

202 Class Motto : Strength and Unity

Make us proud.

Class 202

Academy Class 202 graduates tonight at 7:00 pm at the Houston Police Academy located at 17000 Aldine Westfield. They will graduate with 52 strong. Check the blog over the next couple of days for videos of their last day as cadets.

The Houston Policeman (1972) Part Nine

Click Play Above - provided by HPD Museum - courtesy of Master Computer Video Productions

Future Leaders

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On Thursday, April 16, 2009, members of the Leadership North Houston Program of Lone Star College visited the Academy. They were introduced to two of our cadet squad leaders and had the opportunity to ask them a few questions about academy life and about being a leader of their respective academy class.

Handcuffs don't give, you realize this right?

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Ok....

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I am not sure if this security camera video file of two of the smartest crooks you have ever seen is real or not, but I have to admit it is still funny. Thanks for sending it to me.

The Houston Policeman (1972) Part Eight

Click Play Above - provided by HPD Museum - courtesy of Master Computer Video Productions

Fellow Fallen Heroes

Two Houston firefighters, Capt. James Harlow, 50, and rookie firefighter Damion Hobbs, 30, died early Easter morning trying to save an elderly couple from their blazing home.

From everyone at HPD to HFD, our hearts and prayers go out to you.

Not the Sharpest Tool in the Shed...

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People send me video clips all the time. I especially liked this one. The crook was so worried about looking out the door, he left his rifle on the counter. The quick thinking clerk did the rest. Check it out!

Meet Your Recruiter

I have been proudly serving my community for four years. Before joining HPD, I worked as a waiter and bartender. These jobs enabled me to pay my way through college. I graduated from Sam Houston State University with a degree in Criminal Justice. I will soon be taking advantage of the reimbursement program that HPD offers to go back to school and obtain my masters degree. I always knew that HPD was the place for me. I never thought about applying anywhere else. I had always heard that HPD was a great organization to work for and it has been. In my short career here, I have already accumulated so many fond memories. One time I had a citizen stopped for a traffic violation; I walked up to his car and found that he was a clown on his way to a birthday party. Costume and all! While I checked his driver license on the computer in my police car, I noticed that he was putting something on his face. As I walked back up to his car for a second time, I noticed that he had applied his clown make-up and even had a red rubber nose. The clown turned to me, squeezed his rubber nose and said, "Can you give an old clown a break." I tried my best not to laugh but couldn't hold it in.

Not all memories are going to be grim and sad. Many memories will be fun and exciting. When you look back at them many years later, you will still think fondly of them. If you are interested in joining one of the top police departments in the nation, don't hesitate to apply. I guarantee you will not be disappointed.

I am Officer Alex Carmona and I am a Recruiter.

Determination

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If you are looking at this blog, you are probably wondering what it takes to become a Houston Police Officer. You may not qualify yet. You may not have your 60 hours of college or your two years of military. You may have always wanted to be a police officer but felt you couldn't do it. If you stay focused and determined like the bird in this video, most anything is possible. If you're in High School and your peers want you to break the law, don't. If you have had a little too much to drink and you want to drive home, don't. If someone is offering you an illegal drug, don't. If you are determined in life to do what you dream of, stay focused and it will happen. Being a police officer is not for everyone, but if you stay determined and focused you can eventually accomplish anything you want to do.

Searching for a New Career?

Meet one of the newest members of the Houston Police Department. This is Spirit. Spirit is a five month old female bloodhound and is currently in training. Once trained, Spirit will be able to track down people, dead or alive using her strong sense of smell and instinct. I had the pleasure of meeting Spirit during a recruiting event at the Houston Aeros game last Thursday night. Spirit was one popular puppy that night. I thought the poor dog was going to have her skin "petted" right off. I could be wrong, but it sure looked like she was happy the whole time.

The Houston Policeman (1972) Part Seven

Click Play Above - provided by HPD Museum - courtesy of Master Computer Video Productions

St. Anne Catholic School - Career Fair

The Houston Police Department was at the annual St. Anne Catholic School "Career Fair" this morning. It was tons of fun and we really enjoyed talking to all the students about what it is like to serve the community as a police officer. I would like to thank St. Anne Catholic School and it's staff for their hospitality and allowing us to be part of their tradition.

The Houston Policeman (1972) Part Six

Click Play Above - provided by HPD Museum - courtesy of Master Computer Video Productions

HPD Buys Robots for Foot Patrol

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Japanese scientists unveiled a new humanoid walking robot at Tsukuba City, in Ibaraki prefecture, northeast of Tokyo. HRP-4C, the latest model showcased to the media by the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) has a female face which can express various emotions. Not wanting to fall behind on technology HPD promptly ordered 12 of these units to maintain order in the Downtown District. Please click play above to see this incredible robot in action.