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Dallas Civil Service Board to hold March public hearing on removing “uncharacterized” military discharge from police minimum qualifications
Summary
Civil Service staff presented a proposed rule change to remove the phrase “uncharacterized discharge” from the minimum military-service qualifications for police applicants after the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement said it will no longer accept that classification; the board scheduled a public hearing and action item for the March meeting.
The Dallas Civil Service Board heard a briefing Feb. 4 on a proposed amendment to the board’s minimum qualifications for police officers that would remove the term “uncharacterized discharge” from the list of acceptable military separations.
Jared, a staff member, said the change responds to a policy shift at the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE). “Since that time in April of 2024, the Texas ... asked that ... they will not accept an uncharacterized discharge in the employment process or in the granting of the license,” Jared said. “It is my hope to bring that back to you in March. Have a public hearing to hear from any employees who may have an opinion 1 way or another about the rule amendment.”
Under the current rule the board has considered applicants who documented prior military service with an honorable discharge or an uncharacterized discharge. Jared told the board the proposed amendment would “just simply strike uncharacterized the discharge, and it would just remain an honorable discharge with prior military service.” He said the deletion is intended to align the board’s rule with TCOLE’s licensing requirement.
Board members asked for clarification about what “uncharacterized discharge” means. Jared explained it typically describes service that ended before a full term and therefore was not classified as honorable or dishonorable: “I've encountered some people in the past who've been in the military, like, 2 months, and they left. So they don't get ... an honorable discharge because they're leaving before the term their term of service has ended.”
Board members cautioned that uncharacterized separations sometimes reflect complex circumstances. Board member Angela said, “my experience is that it's it's often people who go, they made a mistake. They may have other, personal issues ... substance, different things that make it not possible.” Angela said those situations can involve mental-health diagnoses or family problems for young service members.
No formal action was taken on the rule change at the Feb. 4 meeting. Jared said the board will hold a public hearing at its March meeting and will publish notice for that hearing; he also said the staff will bring the exact rule text back with the public-hearing and action-item materials. Jared told members he intends to fold the change into other updates to the police-related rules before forwarding a consolidated amendment to City Council.
Ending: At the close of the discussion the board confirmed the public hearing is scheduled for the March meeting so the board can hear from employees and the public before voting on the rule amendment.
