Police Officer

Police Officer

The City of Asheville is excited to hire motivated individuals to serve the citizens of Asheville as a Police Officer. Under the supervision of a Police Sergeant, Police Officers provide public safety and maintain order, enforce the laws of North Carolina, uphold the United States Constitution, and support National security. Officers are subject to the usual hazards of law enforcement work. The City of Asheville is a culturally diverse community, and the Asheville Police Department welcomes all applicants.

To be considered as an applicant for this position, candidates must have:

• Certification as a Police Officer through the NC Criminal Justice Education & Training Standards Commission; OR Completion of the NC BLET program.
• NC BLET completion must be valid to be eligible to achieve certification as a Police Officer through the NC Criminal Justice Education & Training Standards Commission after successful completion of the hiring process.
• Candidates must be certified in North Carolina; out-of-state applicants must apply for the Police Cadet position since North Carolina does not accept out-of-state certifications.

Only NC State-certified police officers will be considered for this recruitment process.

The hiring process for the Police Officer - NC State Certified includes:

• Initial Review
• Entrance Exam & Fitness Assessment (Modified Coopers Exam)
• Panel Interview & 1:1 Interview
• Conditional Offer/Drug Screen/Health Assessment*
• Background Investigation
• Polygraph
• Psychological Evaluation
• Executive Review

* Must successfully complete a pre-employment medical exam to include a hearing and vision test and other requirements set by the NC Criminal Justice Education & Training Standards Commission. These physicals require a scheduled appointment. The City's Physician or Physician Assistant must provide final clearance. The exams are at the City's expense after a conditional offer is made, but before a final offer of employment.

The entire hiring process can take up to 6 months. Anyone who participates in the hiring process and is not selected, must wait a period of one year to reapply. The City of Asheville is a culturally diverse community and the Asheville Police Department welcomes all applicants. Minorities and women are encouraged to apply.

Work Schedule for Police Officers:

12 hour shifts either 6am–6pm, 7am-7pm or 6pm-6am, 7pm–7am. New hires will be subject to working the shift(s) that are currently available at the time of hire.

Employee Benefits and Position Information:

Starting basic salary for a Police Officer is $51,064.52 and Senior Police Officer is $53,617.72.

Career Ladder and Salary Ranges:

• Police Trainee: $48,633.78
• Police Officer: $51,064.52 - $76,596.52
• Senior Police Officer I / Detective I: $53,617.72 - $80,426.32
• Senior Police Officer II / Detective II: Police Detective: $56,298.58 - $84,447.74
• Master Police Officer I / Master Police Officer I: $59,113.34 - $88,670.14
• Master Police Officer II / Master Police Officer II: $62,069.28 - $93,103.66

All sworn police department employees are offered the following benefits:

• Pre-tax hiring bonus of $5,000 for new lateral Police Officers and $3,500 for new Police Officer Trainees. The bonus will be paid in three equal payments at hire, at 6 months, and after 1 year.
• $1,000 yearly uniform allowance
• Retirement program through the NC Local Government Employees' Retirement System (LGERS). The City of Asheville also provides a 401K plan with employer contributions. Sworn officers receive an additional law enforcement retirement supplement through the LGERS system. Mentoring and peer support for new hires. Tuition reimbursement for qualifying courses of study. Health, dental, and life insurance.
• Incentive pay for: Education: 1.5% for an Associate's Degree, 3% for a Bachelor's Degree, 5% for a Master's Degree; 3% for fluency in a foreign language; Night-shift differential pay of $2.00/hour
• 8% for Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate
• $30 daily on-call pay
• $50 Wellness Incentive
• Senior Police Officer status and Advanced Law Enforcement Certificates (sworn only). Most non-probationary police officers have the option of taking a department vehicle home. Take-home cars are assigned by availability and seniority. Additional information on employee benefits is available through the City of Asheville Human Resources Department.

Responsibilities include:

• Patrol designated areas of the City in car, by foot, or other means to preserve law and order, discover and prevent the commission of crimes, and enforce traffic and other laws and ordinances; protect real and personal property by providing security checks of residential, business, and public premises; maintain awareness of and remains alert for wanted suspects, known criminals, stolen vehicles, missing persons, traffic violators, and crimes in progress, takes appropriate enforcement action through warnings or citations.
• Respond to calls for service for the protection of life and property, the enforcement of laws and ordinances, general public service calls, and complaints including those involving automobile accidents, traffic hazards, misdemeanor and felony incidents, domestic disturbances, property control, civil complains, and related incidents, investigate complaints and takes appropriate action.
• Conduct investigations at scenes to which summoned or incidents observed; determine what, if any, crime has been committed; identify, collect, preserve, process, and store evidence; locate and interview victims and witnesses and interrogate suspects.
• Prepare and serve search warrants and arrest warrants; apprehend and arrest offenders for crimes committed under federal, state, and local laws and codes; control and mitigate people under the influence of drugs or alcohol or other potentially hostile situations.
• Investigate traffic collisions, providing first aid for injured, taking safeguards to prevent further accidents, interviews principals and witnesses, taking written statements from drivers, witnesses; examines vehicles and roadways; observing traffic control devices, and obstructions to view; takes necessary street measurements; clears the scene of obstruction and wreckage.
• Direct traffic and crowd control at special events, motor vehicle collisions, and other emergency situations.
• Attend various community functions to identify crime related issues and/or quality of life issues and work with the community to solve those issues.
• Escort prisoners to the Detention Facility, ensuring prisoners are properly guarded during transport.
• Interact with the public in a fair and impartial manner regardless of the situation. Establish and preserve good relationships with the general public; answer questions from the public concerning local and state laws, procedures, and activities of the department.
• Conduct Crime Prevention Activities to reduce and deter criminal activity.
• Testify in court and at hearings, prepare and present case evidence; respond to mandatory court calls during irregular hours.
• Initiate and complete reports, legal documents, and other required paperwork; prepare investigative reports and case information/files.

Requirements:

• MUST HAVE: Certification as a Police Officer through the NC Criminal Justice Education & Training Standards Commission; OR Completion of NC BLET program. NC BLET completion must be valid to be eligible to achieve certification as a Police Officer through the NC Criminal Justice Education & Training Standards Commission after successful completion of the hiring process.
• Educational requirement is minimum high school diploma and/or GED equivalency.
• Bilingual language skills preferred but not required.

Additional Major Requirements:

• At least 20 years of age at time of application.
• Be in good physical condition.
• Must pass a physical examination, and physical fitness assessment.
• Must meet vision, hearing, and other physical requirements.
• Must be a United States citizen.
• No felony convictions.
• Valid driver's license required; no suspensions of driving privileges in the past three years.
• Completion of a thorough background investigation.
• Completion of a polygraph examination.
• Completion of a psychological evaluation.