Police Officer

Police Department

Salary Range: $23.33* - $38.49 Hourly / $50,952.72* - $84,062.16 Annually

Police Officer (Full‑Time)

FLSA Position Class:
Non‑Exempt

Work Schedule:

12‑Hour Shifts – Permanent Days or Permanent Nights

Closing Date:
April 30, 2026

Pay Incentives

• Starting pay based on relevant experience as a sworn law enforcement officer.
• 5% pay increase after completing a 6‑month probationary period.
• Educational
  
  Incentives:
  
  3% for each degree level up to a maximum of 9%.
• Shift Differentials – $2.00/hr for night shift (6 PM – 6 AM), $1.00/hr for mid‑shift (Noon to Midnight).
• Specialized Unit Incentive Pay – 5% additional while assigned to a specialized unit (SRT, K‑9, CID, Traffic).
• Intermediate & Advance Law Enforcement Certification – 6% max.
• Specialized Training Certifications – 6% max.
• Bilingual Incentive Pay – 5% increase.
• Take‑home Vehicle – up to 30 miles from City limits.
• Holiday Overtime Pay for eligible 12‑hour shift employees – 1.5× regular rate, paid in the same pay period.

Eligibility Requirements

• Citizen of the United States.
• At least 20 years of age.
• High‑school graduate or GED.
• Good moral character.
• Successfully completed Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) and passed the state exam.
• No felony convictions, no crime punishable by more than two years imprisonment, no Class B misdemeanor in the last five years (except permitted counts), and no four or more Class A misdemeanors (unless the last conviction was more than two years ago).
• Personal interview by the Department head or representative.
• Fingerprinted and background‑checked.
• Medically certified and drug‑screened negative.
• Psychological screening within one year of employment.
• Completion of an in‑service firearms training program.
• Notify Standards Division of any arrest or charge (excluding minor traffic offenses).

This position performs intermediate protective service work involving a variety of general or support duty police assignments and related duties as required.

• Operate a patrol vehicle; observe for violations, suspicious activity, or disturbances; respond with appropriate enforcement action.
• Assist in processing crime scenes, investigating, and following up on crimes.
• Conduct field testing of controlled substances.
• Serve as a field training officer: train, evaluate, and supervise new recruits; prepare documentation.
• Monitor and operate the radio; dispatch officers; manage public service and 911 as needed.
• Effect arrests, use restraints, subdue resisting suspects, and employ force when necessary.
• Prepare investigative reports, sketches, and other documentation with proper grammar and calculations.
• Use independent judgment to determine reasonable suspicion, probable cause, and appropriate force.
• Operate law‑enforcement vehicles day and night, including emergencies at speeds above posted limits.
• Gather information through interviews of victims, witnesses, suspects, and confidential informers.
• Pursue fleeing suspects and perform rescues.
• Load, unload, aim, and fire firearms under stress conditions as required.
• Detect, collect, preserve, and store evidence and substances indicating dangerous conditions.
• May be assigned to units such as K‑9, Traffic, SRO, Crime Reduction, Housing, Crime Prevention, Community Policing, or other specialized roles.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Education and Experience
  • High‑school diploma or GED.
  • Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) certification.
• Requirements
  • U.S. citizen, at least 20 years old.
  • Valid North Carolina driver’s license, or ability to obtain within 60 days of establishing residence.
  • Meet and maintain required experience and training qualifications.

• General knowledge of police methods, practices, and procedures.
• Knowledge of city geography and critical locations.
• Knowledge of department rules and regulations.
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions and to prepare clear reports.
• Ability to deal courteously yet firmly with the public.
• Analytical skills to adopt quick, effective action while considering hazards.
• Firearms proficiency and vehicle operation skills.
• Good physical condition.