About Austin Police Department Test

With a population of 2.1 million, as per the 2018 U.S. Census, Austin is the second most populous state capital city in the United States. It is also the southernmost capital city in mainland U.S.A. With a booming economy and rapidly increasing migration, there is now a growing need for more law enforcement officers in the city.

Officially formed in 1862, Austin Police Department (APD) is the official law enforcement agency of the city of Austin, as recognized by the CALEA. As of 2018, the APD was staffed by 2,646 active serving officers, of whom nearly 1,900 are full-time sworn officers. The city is divided into 10 equal-sized divisions for smoother and more efficient patrolling. The Department is divided into 40 specialized units, each performing an ultra-specific function. Specialized units carry out varied tasks ranging from: The Air Support Unit, which carries out frequent patrol missions with its 2 helicopters and 3 tactical fighter pilots. The Firearms Review Unit, which investigates violations of the State and Federal Laws with regard to Firearms and the Second Amendment. The Mounted Patrol Unit, that comprises of 10 Officers, 2 Corporals, and 1 Sergeant and undertakes frequent patrols on horseback. The Unit currently has 14 horses at its disposal.  Since certain areas are not accessible by patrol cars, a special unit of Patrol officers known as the Park Patrol Unit carries out the responsibility of patrolling around 16,000 acres of land, including 251 parks within the city of Austin, either by foot or using a patrol bike. The Department also has its own SWAT Unit. All the units of the APD are headed by the Chief of Police, who is its supreme authority.

The recruitment process for the Austin Police Department test is started by filling and submitting an online form. Once these online forms are duly filled and submitted, there are a series of tests, which are broadly divided into Phase I Testing (Includes a Psychological questionnaire and a Physical Fitness Test) and Phase II Testing (Includes a Psychological Interview, Oral Board Interview, Polygraph Test and a Medical Assessment. Apart from this, the applicant must also clear a thorough background investigation. Recruitments are carried out fairly frequently by the APD.