Police Officer

Performs general patrol duties and responds to calls for service as a key member of the Department and the community, working to protect life and property within the City.

Police Officers with the City of Southport will focus on community-based patrol operations and interactions throughout the community. They must be able to professionally perform enforcement and investigative services to ensure a safe community for the residents and tourists. Officers will answer calls for service, respond to critical situations, investigate crimes and motor vehicle accidents, prepare incident, accident, and arrest reports.

Officers will process minor crime scenes for fingerprints, collect and process other evidence, serve arrest warrants and criminal summonses, conduct follow‑up investigations, work traffic control assignments, attend and testify in court, investigate narcotic and reported criminal activity, and work to organize and participate in community-based policing activity as assigned. All Southport Police officers will work as recruitment officers by promoting a positive image of the department through professional interactions with the community.

Patrol officers with the police department are given the opportunity and expected to be proficient at and learn all aspects of police work. It is our goal to create officers competent in all tasks associated with the career.

• Assists motorists; provide information and directions to visitors and the general public.
• Performs various crime prevention and community education programming.

Applicants need to be motivated and enthusiastic about their involvement with the community. A successful applicant should have ability to effectively interact with the public in formal and informal presentations as well as in law enforcement setting.

• Knowledge of state and federal laws, local ordinances, and policies of the police department, especially relating to search and seizure, traffic control, pursuit, and arrest.
• Knowledge of animal control, cruelty investigations, rabies investigations procedures, minimum housing standards, and related City ordinances and state codes.
• Working knowledge of current law enforcement principles, practices, methods, and equipment.
• Working knowledge of scientific crime detection and criminal identification methods and procedures.
• Working knowledge of the application of information technology to law enforcement work.
• Skill in the use of firearms and other police equipment and in the application of self‑defense tactics.
• Skill in collaborative conflict resolution.
• Ability to act with sound judgement in routine and emergency situations.
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written forms.
• Ability to present effective court testimony.
• Ability to prepare clear and concise activity reports.
• Ability to build and maintain cooperative and effective public relations with the citizens.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, supervisors, and other public officials.

• We are seeking mature, professional adults willing to support the community and provide positive input, interactions, and representation of our department and community.
• BLET certification is a necessity. Out of state transfers will be evaluated on a case‑by‑case basis.

Before assignment to sworn duties, employees must possess a valid North Carolina driver's license and have completed at least the minimum requirements established by the North Carolina Justice Training and Standards Commission for certified law enforcement officers and successfully completed a thorough background investigation.

• Pension Plan – 6% of your pay will be deposited into LGERS (local govt. retirement system), city will match 16.08%.
• 401K – The city will contribute 5% of your pay to this account per paycheck.
• Medical, Dental & Vision – Free to the employee after the waiting period. Family can be added, and the city contributes 50% of that cost.
• Vacation – Earn up to 2 weeks of vacation per year.
• Sick – You will earn 8 hours per month.
• Personal – Earn 24 hours of personal leave per year. 16 company‑paid holidays per year.
• Longevity Pay – Pro‑rated.
• Additional pay for scheduled holiday workdays.
• Overtime as available opportunities.
• In‑county take home vehicle policy.
• Educational support and training opportunities.
• Progressive career step incentive program.

This full‑time position qualifies for our complete benefit package. Please visit the City's benefits page for details.