Detention Officer

The Detention Officer position is responsible for maintaining, care and control/security of the jail facility and its inmates. This is accomplished by processing inmates; releasing inmates; caring for prisoners; and maintaining the facility. Other duties include providing the general public with customer service.

Applicants should be aware that detention officers routinely come into contact with resisting, uncooperative prisoners and there is a possibility of being physically assaulted. All detention officers must attend defensive tactics training which is physically demanding.

Application Process:

Step 1: The following pre- employment questionnaire must be completed in order for your application to be reviewed.
Click here to download the questionnaire.

Step 2: After completing the questionnaire, please apply for the job and while completing your application, you will have the ability to attach your questionnaire to your application. If you experience difficulty attaching to your application, you can email it to: [email protected]

Benefits of working for the City of Grand Prairie Detention Department :

• Great Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• 2 to 1 match into Texas Municipal Retirement System
• Paid time off
• Stable work environment
• Tuition Reimbursement

• Processes inmates by taking custody of the prisoner from the officer; conducting pat or strip searches; taking inventory of property; obtaining necessary information from prisoner; taking pictures and fingerprints; placing inmates in the holding cell; and entering all information into the computer; and calculating jail credits, release dates and bond amounts.

• Releases inmates by providing inmate information to bonding companies and the public prior to release; providing information to outside agencies for transfer of prisoners; accounting for cash collected; preparing receipts and/or bonds and property for prisoners; and processing required documents.
• Cares for prisoners by providing meals, medicine, and showers to prisoners; providing required information for release; providing telephone access; taking roll call; and providing transportation to medical facilities as needed.
• Maintains the facility by cleaning the laundry; cleaning the kitchen; mopping floors; maintaining and monitoring food and paper supplies; reporting equipment maintenance problems; and providing for the security of the facility.
• Escorts inmates from one area to another, taking physical action to prevent escapes and/or subdue combative/violent inmates with the appropriate use of force
• Provides customer service to the public by providing information regarding the status of prisoners to the public and other agencies; and providing visitation access.
• Candidate must be able to visually and through the use of remote video surveillance equipment. 
• Take physical action to prevent escapes and/or assaults and subdue combative/violent prisoners is required. 
• The ability to read, comprehend and write in English is a must.  Candidate must be able to fingerprint, photograph, handcuff and physically search prisoners. 
• Ability to accurately count money and inventory property is important. 
• Candidate must be able to read, interpret and apply laws, regulations and departmental policies and procedures.
• All other duties as assigned by a supervisor/manager within your department/division.
• Regular and dependable attendance is required.

• Education: High school diploma or GED

• Experience: 1-2 years of related experience preferred
• Licenses: Valid Driver's License required
• Certifications Required: Must obtain State Jail Certification, TCOLE certification or equivalent, defensive tactics training intoxilizer training and other mandatory training as required within one year of employment or within department guidelines due to scheduling of class.