Police Trainee

** Sworn Police Officer Salary Range: $56,551 - $87,654**

This posting is for non-certified individuals interested in going through BLET as a Town of Matthews employee (Police Officer Trainee). Applicants must successfully pass a series of tests that includes a PT exam and a written exam. Testing will be held in February/March 2026 for a July 2026 BLET Academy.

Employees who complete BLET and pass NC State BLET Certification Test will be sworn in as a Sworn Police Officer with the Town of Matthews Police Department. At that time, they will receive a 5% increase in the base salary, taking them to the starting pay of a Sworn Police Officer.

All new hires selected for eligible positions will receive $2,000 on their first paycheck. Those who have relevant job experience and/or military experience are also eligible for up to $3,000 more (total payout available - $5,000)

More information available during interviews and in the onboarding process

The Town of Matthews offers its employees a comprehensive benefits package including vacation and sick leave, longevity pay, medical insurance, paid parental leave, health reimbursement account (HRA), dental plan, vision insurance, North Carolina Local Government Employees Retirement Plan, 457 and 401K Retirement Accounts, Flexible Spending & Dependent Care Accounts, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, and accident and critical illness insurance

With our ultimate goal of keeping our city safe, the Matthews Police Department is dedicated to attracting, recruiting, training, and developing employees who meet and maintain our strong hiring standards. As such, applicants who have a history of unethical or immoral behavior will not be hired.

Applicants for the position of Police Officer must meet minimum standards set forth by the Department of Justice - Minimum Standards for Criminal Justice Employment. Background will be looked at very closely and all candidates offered employment will be subjected to an intensive background evaluation.

Minimum criteria for employment include, but are not limited to
:

• Must be a citizen of the United States.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Must be a high school graduate or have passed the General Educational Development Test indicating high school equivalency.
• Must possess a valid driver's license along with a safe and responsible driving record.
• Veterans must provide proof of military service (DD-214). If currently in the military, the applicant must provide a letter from the military indicating ETS date.
• An interview by the Department head and/or designated representatives to determine such things as the applicant's professional appearance, demeanor, attitude, and ability to communicate.
• A clean and responsible criminal history with no convictions of:
• a crime for which the punishment could have been imprisonment for more than two years; or
• a crime or unlawful act defined as a"Class B misdemeanor"within the five-year period prior to the date of application for employment; or
• four or more crimes or unlawful acts defined as "Class B misdemeanors" regardless of the date of conviction; or
• four or more crimes or unlawful acts defined as "Class A misdemeanors" except the applicant may be employed if the last conviction occurred more than two years prior to the date of application for employment.
• Applicant must pass all disqualifiers listed below to be considered for employment.
• Upon receipt of conditional offer:
• must be fingerprinted and a search made of local, state, and national files to disclose any criminal record.
• Must be examined and certified by a licensed physician or surgeon to meet the physical requirements necessary to properly fulfill the officer's particular responsibilities.
• Shall produce a negative result on a drug screen.
• Have administered, a psychological screening examination by a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist licensed to practice in North Carolina, or by a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist authorized to practice in accordance with the rules and regulations of the United States Armed Forces within one year prior to employment by the employing agency to determine the officer's mental and emotional suitability to properly fulfill the responsibilities of the position.

• Patrols streets in a police car, on a bicycle, or on foot; checks doors and windows; examines premises of unoccupied residences or buildings; detects unusual conditions, may maintain surveillance and observation for stolen cars, missing persons, or suspects; reports dangerous or defective streets, sidewalks, traffic lights or other hazardous conditions.
• Responds to calls for assistance, complaints, suspicious activity, domestic disputes, and loud and disruptive behavior; completes calls by determining the true nature of the situation and taking whatever legal or persuasive action is warranted.
• Investigates traffic accidents; issues traffic citations; directs traffic…