The City of Hitchcock Police Department

As a whole, it is important that the Hitchcock Police Department echoes local and national values which embody both professional and developmental aspects. By incorporating our Mission Statement and our Vision Statement, The Hitchcock Police Department will strengthen its image within the community. 

The proclaimed course of strong community-police cooperation will help reduce crime rates and will also create a positive perception of The Hitchcock Police Department. Through meeting service expectations and working towards creating and sustaining a high level of public trust, the success of The Hitchcock Police Department will steadily increase.

More Importantly, overall, the inclusion of crime victims in the Mission Statement substantiates the multidimensional approach that The Hitchcock Police Department has towards all factions of the society and makes it a model public service agency from a law enforcement perspective. 

 September 17, 2020

As part of Emergency Management, The Hitchcock Police Department would like for all citizens of Hitchcock that may require some assistance during a disaster, to register with the Texas Health and Human Services STEAR Program. Eligibility for this program would be for individuals with disabilities, have limited mobility, communication barriers, require additional medical assistance during emergencies, require transportation assistance, and require personal care assistance. 

Registration is available online at https://tinyurl.com/stear or by dialing 2-1-1 (select Option 4 to register.

Accepting Applications for: 

POLICE OFFICER 

The Hitchcock Police Department is currently looking to hire motivated, proactive, community oriented problem solving police officers. Located in Galveston County, the City of Hitchcock Police Department consists of 17 full time officers, 3 reserve officers, and 1 civilian employee who are responsible for serving the city.

JOB SUMMARY

This position is responsible for enforcing Federal, State, and City rules, regulations, ordinances and codes, maintain a high visibility in the community to deter and prevent criminal activity, and educate the public in ways to protect themselves from criminal activity and/or prevent accidents and injuries. Duties normally consist of routine patrol, preliminary investigation, crime prevention, criminal apprehension, traffic regulation, and problem solving.

REPORTS TO
Under direct supervision of a Patrol Sergeant

SUPERVISES
None

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Police officers also may be assigned duties as detectives, court security officers, crime prevention officers, training officers, evidence technicians, field training officers, accident investigators, and firearms instructors. Work involves an element of personal danger. The employee must be able to exercise sound independent judgment under stress. Assignments may include work on special tasks, which call upon specialized abilities and knowledge possessed by the officer. Work assignments can be general or specific and instructions are received from a supervisor who reviews work methods and results through reports, personal inspection and discussion.

• Provides community-oriented police services, and improve and enhance the quality of life in the community; works with citizens to address the issues of safety, crime, fear of crime, and neighborhood disorder; assures citizens are treated with courtesy and respect.

• Performs duties of Police Officer and assists other law enforcement personnel in the performance of their duties; enforces local, state and Federal laws, and enforces compliance with local regulations and ordinances, according to Department policies, procedures and regulations.

• Patrols the City to respond to citizens’ requests for assistance, enforce traffic regulations, detect crime, apprehend violators, and assure public safety; applies laws and regulations fairly and consistently.

• Preserves the peace of the community through mediation, investigation, intervention, assistance, and arrest; utilizes all lawful means to improve the quality of life by recognizing and resolving problems.

• Patrols the City, looking for unusual and suspicious activities and persons; responds to emergency and non-emergency calls for service; investigates, documents, and resolves traffic incidents, crimes, dangerous and illegal activities, and citizen complaints; interrogates and communicates with victims, witnesses and suspects in cases; provides scene security for emergency services personnel.

• Investigates crimes and accidents; secures and processes crime and accident scenes, and identifies and collects evidence; arrests law violators; transports and processes suspects, victims and prisoners.

• Completes detailed reports and required paperwork; assists Officers with code enforcement reports and administrative forms.

• Maintains City of Hitchcock vehicle and equipment according to Department standards.

• Assists and coordinates with other emergency services personnel, outside organizations and businesses, and Federal, state and local law enforcement organizations.

• Supports the relationship between the City of Hitchcock and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with citizens, visitors, and City staff; promotes the City goals and priorities, and complies with all City policies and procedures.

• Takes immediate field action to abate minor code violations.

• Maintains absolute confidentiality of work-related issues and City information; performs other duties as required or assigned.

 MINIMAL QUALIFICATIONS

Training and Experience:

• High school diploma or GED
• Must be U.S. citizen to be sworn in as a Texas Officer
• College degree preferred
• Valid State of Texas Class C Driver’s License and good driving record
• Texas Basic Certificate of Law Enforcement Officer Training
• TCOLE certified
• Ability to pass a drug test
• No felony convictions, Class B misdemeanor conviction or above within the past ten years of application.

Knowledge of:

• City organization, operations, policies and procedures.
• Police Department General Orders, Code of Conduct, policies and procedures.
• City, county, state and Federal civil and criminal laws, regulations, codes and ordinances.
• Texas criminal justice system, court procedures, and records management requirements.
• Texas Criminal Information Center (TCIC) and National Criminal Information Center (NCIC) computer communications systems.
• Modern law enforcement methods and procedures, including case laws governing arrest, rules of evidence, probable cause, use of force, custody of evidence and property, and search and seizure.
• investigative and interrogative procedures, and protocols for observation of critical details
• Local community issues and regional community resources available to citizens.
• Geography, roads, and landmarks of City and surrounding areas.

Skill and Abilities in:

• Interpreting laws and regulations, making decisions, maintaining composure, and working effectively under stressful conditions and emergency situations.
• Dealing with situations requiring diplomacy, understanding, fairness, firmness, and sound judgment.
• Remaining alert at all times and reacting quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
• Interpreting and applying criminal laws to information, evidence and other data compiled.
• The care, maintenance and safe operation of a variety of firearms, impact weapons, chemical agents, and other law enforcement tools and equipment.
• Communicating with violators, recognizing suspicious behavior patterns, mediating difficult situations, and using effective arrest & control techniques.
• Investigating crime scenes, and recognizing evidence and causes of crime, death and accidents.
• Working as a team member with other law enforcement and multi-jurisdictional agencies.
• Preparing clear, comprehensive, and accurate reports.
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with co-workers.
• Operating a personal computer utilizing a variety of standard and specialized software.
• Communicating effectively verbally and in writing.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS AND CONDITIONS:
The physical requirements associated with performance of the Essential Job Functions.

• Work is performed in a municipal police department office and field environments.
• May be subject to repetitive motion such as typing, data entry and vision to monitor.
• May be subject to extended periods of standing, walking, bending, reaching, crawling, climbing, kneeling and lifting when responding to an emergency police situation, accident or investigation.
• Must be able to restrain hostile and/or combative individuals.
• May be subject to exposure to extreme weather conditions, hazardous driving conditions, hostile environments, hazardous chemicals and fumes, bodily fluids, infectious diseases, air and water borne pathogens.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds, and may be required to occasionally lift 110-150 pounds.
• Must be able to work in stressful situations.

For applications, please click here:
For the job flyer, please click here:

All applications must be submitted to Captain Jeff Evans at jevans@hitchcockpd.com.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the main department number, 409-986-5559.

May 20, 2020

Effective immediately, the police department will take a very active role in aiding our Code Enforcement Officers. Under the direct supervision of the City Administrator and Chief of Police, Code Enforcement Officers and other designees assigned to assist, will cite those who are in violation. We are seeking voluntary compliance to address these issues, so that we can continue to set a positive example for our community.

During the next 90-day period we will focus our attention in the areas listed below:
Residents with high grass, debris, trash, and dilapidated exterior structures will be given 10 days to become compliant.

For unregistered vehicles, per the Governor’s proclamation, residents will have 60 days after the pandemic is over to register the vehicle. Inoperable vehicles must be removed or repaired.
Junk/Inoperable Vehicles have been deemed detrimental to the safety and welfare of the general public by reducing the value of private property, inviting crime such as vandalism, creating fire hazards, creates a hazard to the health and safety of minors, and is detrimental to the economic welfare of the city by producing urban blight.

While on patrol, officers will seek to identify the locations of junk/inoperable vehicles and serve warnings to the homeowners.
This only applies to vehicles seen from the front yard.

For any questions or concerns, you can contact our Code Enforcement Officer Cynthia Smith-Rex at 409-986-5559.

National Police Week is May 10 through May 16, 2020




In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15 falls, as National Police Week. Established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others. National Police Week is a collaborative effort of many organizations dedicated to honoring America’s law enforcement community. 

As law enforcement officers continue risking their lives to keep us safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, we remember and pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
We are grateful for the dedicated service of our Hitchcock Police Officers!
Thank you for your selfless service, work ethic and bravery.
 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God. Matthew 5:9"

COVID-19 UPDATES:

May  04-05, 2020:
On Monday, May 04, Farm Gals in Alvin TX, donated 216 bags full of food for local residents. The Hitchcock Police Department set up tents and a drive through pick up in front of the station later that afternoon and early the next morning. Fifty eight cars came through the pick up line, and members of the department were able to distribute all the bags through the pick up distribution as well as deliver them to members of our senior citizen "R U OK?" program. The Hitchcock Police Department would like to extend a huge thanks to Farm Gals for their bountiful donation and continued support of the community. 

April 21, 2020:
COVID-19 didn't’t stop several officers with the Hitchcock Police Department from building a ramp for a disabled veteran on April 21. As part of the department’s community policing efforts, especially important during the pandemic, the officers partnered with members of the community to purchase materials to build the ramp for Joseph Nichols. “These officers identified a problem in the community and took it upon themselves to seek assistance from community members to solve the problem,” Capt. Timothy Underwood said, “Thank you for making an impact in the community by helping those who need it most.”