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ORDINANCE NO. 1652
An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Pearland, Texas,
establishing Seniority Pay-Lateral Entry for hiring police officers with prior
full-time paid law enforcement experience; setting forth qualification
criteria; providing a savings clause; providing for severability and an
effective date.
WHEREAS, the City of Pearland has adopted Chapter 143 of the Local Government
Code, or “Civil Service” for the City of Pearland Police Department (PPD); and
WHEREAS, the City Council has the authority as the “Governing Body,” under Chapter
143 and specifically §143 Subchapter C - Compensation, to set extra pay types by ordinance as
defined in that section for classified police positions; and
WHEREAS, the City of Pearland recognizes that recruiting officers with prior full-time
paid law enforcement experience is an asset to the PPD and to the citizens; and
WHEREAS, authorizing extra pay in addition to the City’s pay schedule maintains
competitiveness in the market for recruitment and retention efforts; and
WHEREAS, the PPD Step Plan Pay Scale and all applicable extra pay types are
adopted annually as part of the City’s Budget, and this ordinance is intended to supplement the
Step Plan Pay Scale; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND, TEXAS:
Section 1. That the City Council hereby finds the statements made in the preamble are
true and correct.
Section 2. That the City Council hereby authorizes extra pay for Police Officers who
possess prior law enforcement experience as defined below:
Seniority Pay - Lateral Entry (prior Police Experience)
a. Authorization: Texas Local Government Code § 143.041(c)(1).
b. Eligibility: Applicants for police officer positions shall be eligible for Special Seniority
pay for lateral entry if they have had at least two (2) years of continuous service as a
paid, full-time certified peace officer, licensed in the State where they were employed
and hold a current, valid Texas Commission on Law Enforcement license on their
hire date. “Certified peace officer experience” means they had the authority to
enforce laws, investigate crimes, make arrests, respond to calls for service, carry a
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ORDINANCE NO. 1652
firearm, and use discretion as part of their assigned duties. A lateral entry applicant
shall not have more than a one (1)-year break in service from the time the applicant
left the law enforcement agency and the time the applicant applied with the PPD.
c. Starting Pay:
i. A Lateral Entry Officer shall be placed at the step in the police pay schedule
commensurate with their qualified complete years of experience up to, but not
exceeding, the pay step reflecting four (4) years of service (“Maximum
Service”). Except that the City Manager, on or after 1 year after the effective date
of this Ordinance, shall have discretion to increase the Maximum Service to five
(5) years of service.
ii. Upon adoption, this Ordinance shall apply to and benefit PPD officers hired prior
to its adoption, if an officer was hired with qualifying prior experience as a peace
officer as defined herein. Qualifying PPD officers hired prior to the adoption of
this Ordinance will be moved to a maximum of Step 4 on the Police Officer rank
portion of the Pay Plan; except that if the City Manager increases the Maximum
Service from four (4) to five (5) years as authorized herein, the qualifying PPD
officers will be moved to a maximum of Step 5 on the Police Officer rank portion
of the Pay Plan.
d. Departmental Seniority Impact: The Lateral Entry Program described herein is
adopted for pay purposes only to determine placement into the existing pay plan.
Actual work experience in another law enforcement agency shall not be considered
for promotional eligibility requirements, departmental seniority, transfers, or benefit
accrual rates. Departmental seniority for purposes of reduction in force under LGC
143.085, lateral entry officers, and re-appointed officers will begin on an officer’s
most recent Civil Service hire date with the PPD.
e. Probationary Period: All police officers hired by the Pearland Police Department
are subject to the probationary period requirements of the CITY OF PEARLAND
POLICE OFFICERS CIVIL SERVICE RULES AND REGULATIONS.
f. Hiring Standards: Lateral Entry Officers are held to the same hiring standards as
set forth by the City of Pearland’s Civil Service Rules and Regulations and policies of
the PPD. The Chief of Police shall make the final determination as to whether an
applicant meets the criteria for credit for prior experience and/or pay step for a
Lateral Entry Officer and the Chief's decision shall be final and non-appealable to the
Civil Service Commission or to any court.
Section 3. All rights and remedies which have accrued in favor of the City under this
Ordinance shall be and are preserved for the benefit of the City.
Section 4. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or portion of this
ordinance is for any reason held invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent
jurisdiction, such shall be deemed a separate, distinct and independent provision and such
holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions thereof.
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ORDINANCE NO. 1652
Section 5. The effective date of this ordinance is the date of adoption by the City
Council and will be effective until repealed by the City Council or amended by a subsequent
Ordinance.
PASSED and APPROVED ON FIRST READING this the 22nd day of September, A.D.,
2025.
________________________________
J.KEVIN COLE
MAYOR
ATTEST:
_____________________________
FRANCES AGUILAR, TRMC, MMC
CITY SECRETARY
PASSED and APPROVED ON SECOND and FINAL READING this the 13th day of
October, A. D., 2025.
.
________________________________
J.KEVIN COLE
MAYOR
ATTEST:
____________________________
FRANCES AGUILAR, TRMC, MMC
CITY SECRETARY
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
____________________________
DARRIN M. COKER
CITY ATTORNEY
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