Reserve Police Officer

About us

The Burlington Police Department is a nationally accredited law enforcement agency that is committed to quality fair and professional police services. The agency is made up of more than 100 sworn officers and 50 professional staff members serving the City of Burlington, North Carolina. Voted the #1 Police Agency in NC in 2024, we serve a growing city of approximately 60,000 residents.

As a Police Reserve Officer, you will support full-time officers through patrol functions, school resource support, community engagement, and special departmental projects. You may respond to calls for service, assist with investigations, complete reports, and represent the department while building positive connections throughout the community. While serving in a reserve/part-time capacity, you are a sworn law enforcement officer and may be called upon to perform the full range of Police Officer duties as departmental needs require.

Employee is subject to the hazards of law enforcement work. Work is performed under the supervision of the Police Auxiliary Services Coordinator, and may be evaluated based on performance, professionalism, decision-making, and adherence to departmental standards. This classification is considered non-exempt in compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

This is a reserve/part-time role and is limited to 1,000 per year, per city policy.

This is position is granted at the discretion of the Chief of Police.

• Preserving the Sanctity of ALL Life
• Nurture and Protect Democracy
• Ensure Procedural Justice and Fundamental Fairness
• Spirit of Service
• Protect the Community from Harm
• Treat all individuals with Dignity and Respect-the ethical foundation of policing.

• Patrol & Response: Assist with patrol operations, respond to calls for service as directed, and provide traffic enforcement and control when needed.
• School & Community Engagement: Support ESRO/SRO functions, community outreach, crime prevention initiatives, and positive interactions with students, staff, and community members.
• Investigative Support: Assist officers with investigations, evidence gathering, scene management, and other law enforcement activities as appropriate.
• Special Assignments: Support special events, departmental projects, and assignments across various divisions as needed.
• Reports & Documentation: Prepare accurate, thorough, and timely reports and required documentation.
• Training & Readiness: Complete all required department and State training, maintain assigned equipment, and remain prepared for duty.
• Physical Readiness: Successfully complete the POPAT twice annually to maintain active status.
• Service Commitment: Complete a minimum of 80 hours of service each calendar year.
• Full Police Officer Responsibilities: Perform the full range of sworn Police Officer duties when directed or required by departmental needs.

• Law Enforcement Knowledge: Working knowledge of modern law enforcement principles, practices, procedures, and applicable federal, state, and local laws.
• Policy Compliance: Ability to understand and follow departmental policies, procedures, and established standards.
• Police Equipment Proficiency: Skill in the safe and effective use of firearms and standard law enforcement equipment.
• Sound Judgment: Ability to remain calm, make appropriate decisions, and respond effectively in routine and emergency situations.
• Effective Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear and concise reports.
• Relationship Building: Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with department personnel and the public.
• Community-Focused Service: Commitment to community-oriented policing, professionalism, and quality customer service.

• High School Diploma or GED Equivalent
• Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) Certification with Certification by the NC Criminal Justice Standards Commission
• Successful passing of Police Officer Physical Abilities Test (POPAT)
• Valid NC Driver's License in Good Standing
• United States Citizen or Naturalized Citizen

• You may NOT hold a sworn certification with another law enforcement agency/public safety agency while holding this position.

• Work in this class is described as medium and frequently requires physical exertion to complete tasks, affect arrest, and move objects.
• An employee must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions of climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, feeling, grasping, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions.
• Work necessitates visual acuity to determine the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of work assigned in preparing and analyzing figures, accounting, transcription, computer terminal viewing and extensive reading.
• The employee is subject to hazards; includes a variety of physical…