What Can Disqualify Me?

Federal and State Requirements

Licensing requirements set by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) can be found here. Federal and State Requirements

The Police Department must adhere to requirements set out by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) as well as the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services policies.

Disqualifiers

In addition to TCOLE requirements, if at any point the applicant is determined to have any of the following disqualifiers, the application process for that individual may be terminated at the discretion of the Chief or Deputy Chief.  

Permanent Disqualifiers

• Knowingly omit or falsify any information on the application or on the Personal History and Information Packet.
• False Statement to the Oral Review Board – Any applicant who knowingly gives false information during the oral interview will be disqualified from future selection processes.
• False Statement to the Background Investigator.
• Failure to meet the Criminal History requirements set out by TCOLE and the FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services policies mentioned in the Victoria Police Department Hiring Process Overview.
• Court-ordered community supervision or probation for any criminal offense above the grade of Class B misdemeanor. (May not reapply).
• Conviction of any offense above the grade of a Class B misdemeanor. (May not reapply).
• Prohibited by state or federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition (Police Officer applicants).
• Discharge from any military service under less than honorable conditions including, specifically: a) Under other than honorable conditions; b) Bad conduct; c) Dishonorable; d) Any other characterization of service indicating bad character.
• Having a TCOLE license denied by final order or revoked.
• Having a TCOLE license that is currently on suspension, or must not have a voluntary surrender of the license currently in effect.
• Violation of any TCOLE rule or provision of the Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1701.
• Failure to meet the U.S. Citizenship requirements. Police Officer Applicants must be a U.S. citizen according to TCOLE Rules. For other positions, check with the City of Victoria Human Resources Office for eligibility.
• Admission or discovery of current substance abuse.
• Admission or discovery of the Involvement in the illegal manufacture, sale, delivery or furnishing of any controlled substance or drug to another with the expectation that a personal benefit would be received as a result of the actions. 

Possible Disqualifiers (These may not be automatic disqualifiers and will be handled on a case by case basis)

• Abuse of inhalants within last three years. (Examples include but are not limited to paint, paint thinner, Freon, and gasoline).
• Conviction of any offense involving illegal drugs according to the requirements set by Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) or Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) security rules.
• Possession or use of any Penalty Group 1 or 2 substance within the last three years. (Examples include but are not limited to: cocaine, morphine, opium, heroin, LSD, PCP, methamphetamine, ecstasy, and Oxycontin)
• Possession or use of marijuana within the last three years.
• Possession or use, without a prescription, of any Penalty Group 3 drug; within the last three years. (Examples include but are not limited to: steroids, Xanax, hydrocodone, Ambien, Ritalin, and codeine)
• Termination from any law enforcement agency for cause. (“For Cause” means an affirmed termination due to an action, or failure to act by the applicant.)  (Discretion of Chief)
• Asked to resign or resigned while under investigation from a law enforcement agency (does not include economic lay-off).  (Discretion of Chief) 
• Court-ordered community supervision or probation for any Class B misdemeanor offense within the last ten (10) years from the date of the court order.
• Conviction of a Class B misdemeanor offense within the last ten (10) years from the date of conviction.
• Admission or discovery of current valid warrant(s) of arrest – One (1) year from date of application and proof warrant(s) have been cleared or otherwise adjudicated.
• Documented instances of unstable job history or unstable job performance, such as: a) An excessive number of jobs of short duration – Four (4) or more jobs within a five (5) year period. To be reviewed or considered on a case-by-case basis; b) Poor performance, poor attitude, poor relations with the public, inability to be trained, irresponsibility or dishonesty. To be reviewed or considered on a case-by-case basis; 
• Failure to provide all required documents at time application is due will result in a disqualification for a period of six (6) months from the date of being informed verbally or in writing.
• Admissions or discovery of offenses committed by the applicant will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis as to their relevance in the rejection criteria.
• Offenses committed while in the military or in other jurisdictions will be reviewed as if they occurred in the State of Texas.