Police Officers and Firefighters because of their status as Civil Service employees, receive compensation and benefits that vary from the benefits and compensation of non-Civil Service employees.  The following illustrates where there is a difference between the compensation and benefits received by Police Officers and Firefighters and non-Civil Service employees.

Police Compensation and Benefits

Salary
Base salaries are quoted for FY 2011-2012

                                   Base Starting                Base Maximum

        Police Trainee            $36,242                        $36,242

        Police Officer              $42,454                        $56,017

        Police Sergeant          $56,791                        $63,956

        Police Lieutenant        $65,318                        $72,116

        Police Captain            $78,475                        $84,944

        Deputy Chief             $85,533                        $92,584

Certification Pay
Certification pay is available for Intermediate, Advanced and Master Certifications.  Certifications are received from TCLOSE upon meeting the required training and experience.

 

        Intermediate Certification                      $  80 per month

        Advanced Certification                          $125 per month

        Master Certification                              $150 per month

Longevity Pay

Longevity pay is obtained for each year of service up to a maximum of $3,240 a year after 15 years.

 

Vacations, Holidays, and Sick Leave
Officers accrue 15 vacation days and 15 sick days a year.  Officers may accrue unlimited sick days, and can be paid for 90 days upon separation.  Officers also accrue 7 holidays and 2 personal holidays a year.

 

Retirement
Police Officers pay into the Texas Municipal Retirement System at a rate of 7%.  TMRS was listed as one of the top two public retirement systems in the United States for 2006.  The City of Wichita Falls has 25 years of service retirement at any age.  All retirement requirements and benefits are listed at www.TMRS.com

 

Civil Service
After completion of the probationary period of one year, Officers have Civil Service Rights and Protection under Texas Local Government Code 143 and the City of Wichita Falls Civil Service Rules.  After two years of service in each rank, sworn personnel are eligible to test for promotion to the next higher rank.  Promotions are based on Civil Service Exam grades and seniority.

Fire Compensation and Benefits

Salary
Base salaries are quoted for FY 2011-2012 

                                               Base Starting                Base Maximum

        Fire Fighter Trainee                 $35,219                        $35,219

        Firefighter                             $39,125                        $51,624

        Fire Equipment Operator           $51,739                        $56,004

        Fire Lieutenant                       $56,128                        $60,754
        Fire Captain                           $61,737                        $65,516

        Fire Battalion Chief                  $71,167                        $75,523

 

Certification Pay
Certification pay is available for Intermediate, Advanced, and Master Certifications.  Certifications are received from TCFP upon meeting the required training and experience.

 

        Intermediate Certification                       $  80 per month

        Advanced Certification                           $125 per month

        Master Certification                               $150 per month

Longevity Pay
Longevity pay is obtained for each year of service up to a maximum of $3,240 a year after 15 years.

 

Vacations, Holidays, and Sick Leave
Firefighters accrue 15 vacation days and 15 sick days a year.  Firefighters may accrue unlimited sick days, and can be paid for 90 days upon separation.  Firefighters also accrue 7 holidays and 2 personal holidays a year.

 

Retirement
Firefighters pay into the Firemen Pension Fund at a rate of 12%.  Firefighters enjoy 20 year vesting  and retirement can be drawn at the age of 50.

Civil Service
After completion of the probationary period of one year, Firefighters have Civil Service Rights and Protection under Texas Local Government Code 143 and the City of Wichita Falls Civil Service Rules.  After two years of service in each rank, sworn personnel are eligible to test for promotion to the next higher rank.  Promotions are based on Civil Service Exam grades and seniority.