Police Recruit

Position Description

Work. Serve. Thrive. With the City of Durham Advance in your career while making a real difference in the community you serve. Our internationally accredited Durham Police Department is dedicated to hiring and training officers and staff who represent the best the law enforcement profession has to offer. We are a progressive agency committed to reducing crime by providing the best quality service. We work to foster public confidence and maintain the highest standards of excellence as a community partner for positive change. If you're interested in delivering superior emergency response services and working collaboratively to serve our community, join our team in Durham! This posting is for the academy beginning Fall of 2026 Please note The Durham Police Department has reinstated its $10,000 hiring incentive for all recruits who successfully complete the Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) academy, and all three phases of field training. Also, Educational Incentive Bonus: Candidates that possess or obtain an Associate's degree from an accredited community college, college, or university will be paid at 2.5% above their base pay. Bachelor's Degree or higher from an accredited college or university will be paid at 5% above their base pay. Candidates must submit their documentation confirming that the degree was conferred (e.g. transcript, copy of the degree, etc.) to DPD Employee Services for processing. The incentive will be activated, if the Recruit possesses the degree documentation and presents it to DPD Employee Services, upon promotion to Police Officer. Please see complete list of requirements under Minimum Qualifications below. This posting is for the academy beginning Fall of 2026 The purpose of this training position is to respond to citizen calls for service, provide a police presence in the community to encourage citizens to feel safe, conduct law enforcement activities and operations, and investigate crimes. This is accomplished by utilizing communications equipment, employing chemical and biological protective equipment, conducting police tactical movements, conducting security operations, conducting prisoner operations, conducting traffic operations, completing documentation, navigating streets, conducting investigations, and utilizing police equipment and weapons systems. Prior to certification, work involves Basic Law Enforcement Training, followed by field training.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Conducts traffic operations by enforcing North Carolina traffic laws, performing routine and high risk traffic stops, searching vehicles, investigating traffic accidents, removing vehicles and debris, directing traffic, and engaging in vehicle pursuits. Conducts investigations by completing police documentation for reportable crimes and traffic accidents, interviewing and interrogating subjects, utilizing knowledge of search and seizure laws, swearing out warrants and arrests, and protecting crime scenes.
• Performs prisoner operations by conducting searches, handcuffing prisoners, transporting prisoners, and processing prisoners at police station. Utilizes communication systems by using mobile and portable radios, and making telephone calls for reports and follow ups.
• Conducts tactical police operations by serving as a member of search team; conducting searches of buildings, outside area, and vehicles; and patrolling areas in vehicles and on foot.
• Performs administrative duties by completing paperwork, documenting activities and actions, coordinating media relations, serving on committees, maintaining equipment and vehicle, and assisting in coordinating special events.

Minimum Qualifications & Experience

Requirements to become an Officer include:

• Work requires knowledge of a specific vocational, administrative, or technical nature that may be obtained with six-months/one year of advanced study or training past the high school equivalency. State Accredited Community college, vocational, business, and technical or correspondence schools are likely sources.
• Basic Law Enforcement Training.
• Have a valid, unrestricted, North Carolina driver's license "or" if you currently have another state driver's license, must be willing and able to obtain a valid NC driver's license within 60 days of hire.
• Completion of high school or equivalency (some college preferred) – Certified transcripts required from both high school and college.
• Age 20 or older upon completion of classroom training.
• Must meet vision, hearing, and other physical requirements.
• Must meet credit standards
• No felony convictions ever. No serious misdemeanor convictions in the past five years.
• No Domestic Violence convictions (Federal Law)
• No DUI, DWI convictions in the last five years.
• Valid driver's license required, no suspension of driving privileges in the last 3 years and no more than 2 convictions of moving violations in the past three years, or 3 convictions of moving violations in the past five years, or 4 convictions of moving violations in the past seven years.
• No use of any illegal drugs in the past 12 months
• Pass an entry level written examination and physical test
• Pass an extensive background investigation, credit check, criminal history check, drug screen, psychological examination, medical examination, and polygraph examination.
• Military Personnel must have an honorable discharge.
• Must be a US Citizen or Naturalized Citizen

This position is classified as Group 1 (Critical to emergency operations, will report to work in spite of or because of an emergency or disaster event)

Additional Preferred Skills

This Agency Seeks Diversity in the Workplace.

Benefits – General Full-Time Employees

• 12-13 paid holidays per year
• 13 standard work days of vacation per year
• 13 standard work days of sick leave per year, which accumulates indefinitely; sick leave may be used toward early retirement
• 2 weeks paid military leave per year
• Medical, dental, vision, and supplemental life insurance plans
• State and City retirement plans
• Short and long term disability plans
• Paid temporary disability leave for specified conditions
• City contribution of 13.6% into the N.C. State Retirement System
• Paid funeral leave
• Employee Assistance Program - personal and family counseling
• Paid life insurance equal to annual salary
• 48 hours for volunteer work each year*
• 4 hours parental leave each year
• Workman's Compensation Insurance
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plans

Benefits - Part-Time (1,000 hours or more per year)

• 401(k) retirement plan (5.0% of salary)
• State retirement plan

Benefits Part-Time (Average 30 hours per week over 12 month period)

• 401(k) retirement plan (5.0% of salary)
• State retirement plan effective first day of the month following date of hire
• Health insurance effective first day of the month following date of hire
• Dental and life insurance, after one year of service
• Pro-rated vacation, pro-rated sick, pro-rated floating holiday, parttime holiday pay (based on scheduled hours for that day) after one year of service