Police Department

Waco Police Honor Guard

Applications for new officers will reopen in the Spring of 2025.

Lateral Transfers can apply at all times. 

Apply Now

Police Officer Hiring

Incentives & Bonuses Available 

Full Salary Details

Hiring Bonus - General $7,500

  • $2,500 upon graduation
  • $2,500 successful completion of FTO program
  • $2,500 after probationary period

Hiring Bonus - Out of State Lateral Transfer: $10,000

  • $5,000 to start
  • $2,500 fast track (if qualified)
  • $2,500 1st year – years of service credit

Hiring Bonus - TCOLE Certified lateral Transfer: $15,000

  • $5,000 to start
  • $5,000 fast track completion
  • $5,000 1st year – years of service credit

All new hires qualify for relocation Expense: up to $3,000 
*A minimum time of service will be required in order to maintain eligibility for the Hiring Incentive Bonus.

Dispatch Hiring

Incentives & Bonuses Available

New Hire Bonus $6,000

  • $2,000 upon first month of employment
  • $2,000 upon six month's of employment
  • $2,000 upon one year of employment

Starting hourly rate

  • $19 with no customer service experience
  • $21 with one year of customer service experience

About Us

Our department began with the election of a Town Marshall, as provided by the first city charter, in 1871.

The city charter called for annual elections and gave the mayor the power to appoint four officers that year. Every year, after the election, special committees made recommendations to the Mayor on who should be hired as city employees. The largest definitive turning point in the history of the department, the Public Administration Survey of 1956 marks the department's transition into a modern police department.

We respond to over 100,000 calls for service a year, and they are headquartered at 3115 Pine in Waco.

More history.(PDF, 3MB)

Please use this online citizen police report system to submit a report immediately.

Confirm the following to find out if online citizen police report filing is right for you (if this is an emergency please call 911):

  • Is this an emergency?
  • Did this incident occur outside of Waco city limits?
  • Are there any known suspects?

If you answered "no" to all of the above questions, you are ready to file your report online.
(Please make sure to turn off your pop-up blocking software before filing the report.)

If you answered no to any of the questions please look at our Frequently Asked Questions section.


Upon completion of this report process you will:

  • See the words: "Your online police report has been submitted" showing that your police report is complete.
  • Be given a police report case number.

Please Note:

  • All cases filed using the Citizens Online Police Reporting System will be reviewed.
  • Upon review, if further investigation of your case is needed, you may be contacted.
  • Filing a false police report is a crime.

Online Reporting Offenses


Online Reporting System: Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What do I do if online incident reporting is not right for me?
Answer: If your incident is an emergency, please call 911. If non-emergency call (254) 750-7500.

Question: What if this happened in another city can I file a report using this online police citizen reporting system?
Answer: No, If a crime took place outside of the City of Waco please call the police department for that city.

Question: What is a known suspect?
Answer: A known suspect is when you or someone else knows the person or where to find the person who committed the crime or the license plate number of the vehicle the suspect(s) were in.

We are asking citizens who have video cameras facing public areas to help out with investigations. Please click the link below if you have a camera on your home or business. Note: your information will be a valuable tool for detectives to utilize for ongoing investigations.

Neighborhood Camera Form

The Take Me Home program is a FREE service available for all residents of McLennan County, for adults and children whoTake Me Home Program.gif may have difficulty communicating due to a developmental or cognitive disability.

The database is maintained by the Waco Police Department Communications Division. It is only accessible to law enforcement personnel and may include a photograph, disability information, physical description and emergency contact information.

If a person in the Take Me Home program is encountered by a police officer or deputy dispatched by Waco, personnel can access the database and quickly retrieve critical information that can help in communicating with the individual and a safe return to the caregiver.

Who can enroll?

Any adult OR child who may have difficulty communicating due to a developmental or cognitive disability. These individuals tend to be a risk for wandering and include disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Dementia, Down Syndrome etc.

Take Me Home Enrollment Form(PDF, 130KB)

For further questions please contact the Waco Police Department Dispatch at (254) 750-7685 or email WPD911@wacotx.gov

Forms can be sent either USPO to: Waco Police 3115 Pine Ave Waco, Texas 76708 or by email to WPD911@wacotx.gov.