By Madison Thames

SE hosted Officers Justin Brandt and LaTonia Kelly from the Dallas Police Department to inform students about the widespread opportunities available in the DPD. The two officers met with about 100 students during their visit Monday, March 31.

The DPD is the ninth largest police department in the United States, and the second largest in the state of Texas behind Houston. Because of how small their academy classes are, they have one of the highest quality programs in the country, according to Brandt.

Brant is a senior corporal and has been working for the DPD for nine years. He is now in the recruitment department, but has also worked undercover and patrol.

Kelly is just beginning her fifth year, where she started off with a year of patrol. She has also work in media studies and finance departments.

During the meeting held in the Glen D. Johnson Student Union, Brandt started by explaining how a career in the DPD is not just for students interested in law enforcement.

“When students think police, they think of an officer riding around and making traffic stops,” explained Brandt. “But there are approximately 2,400 out of 3,600 officers doing numerous other jobs related to other fields.”

The DPD has multiple different departments available for students interested in business, finance, recruitment, psychology, criminal justice, forensics, media studies and many others.

Kelly went on to describe the pay that comes with a job at the DPD. “With a degree the day you begin you will be making $46,500. And in addition to that, the city of Dallas will have a five percent pay increase over the next three years.”

To qualify for a position in the DPD, those who are less than 21 years old must obtain 60 hours from an accredited college. If they are 21- 44 years old, only 45 hours are necessary.

“I am going to be honest, you will not get there right off the bat. It will take about 5-10 years, because the job is so detailed they have to make sure you are qualified enough to do it,” said Brandt.

According to Kelly, the DPD hires 200 to 250 people every year. “Once you pass the required tests, it is very easy to be hired into our police academy, and we hire a lot of new people every year.”

For more information on requirements, you can contact Kelly at [email protected].