Police Officer

Salary : $53,145.00 - $85,033.00 Annually
Location : 214 W Florence Way, Hampstead, NC
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 20-00235
Department: Police Department
Division: Police
Opening Date: 05/29/2026
Closing Date: 6/29/2026 11:59 PM Eastern


Position Purpose

Hiring Range: $53,145- $55,802
The Police Officer responds to citizen calls for service, provides a police presence in the community to encourage citizens to feel safe, conducts law enforcement activities and operations, and investigates crimes. Work in this position is accomplished by using communications equipment, conducting police tactical movements, conducting security and traffic operations, completing documentation, navigating streets, conducting investigations, and utilizing police equipment and weapons systems.

Duties and Responsibilities
These duties and responsibilities are not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the ongoing needs of the Town.

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, serving on committees, maintaining equipment and vehicle, and assisting in coordinating special events.
• Works irregular hours including weekends, holidays and extended hours as needed.
• Performs work during emergency/disaster situations.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature or level.

Qualifications & KSA's
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of departmental rules and regulations; first aid principles and skill in their application; areas of responsibility including streets, buildings, and areas where more than usual police attention may be required; the principles of police work; the rights of criminally accused; general law enforcement procedures; the laws governing search and seizure; interviewing and interrogation techniques; surveillance techniques; the harmful effects and dangers of drug usage; and state and local motor vehicle laws.

Skilled in making sound and logical decisions quickly; having an aptitude and personal commitment for law enforcement work; thinking clearly and acting effectively in emergency situations; prioritizing and problem-solving abilities; remembering details of incidents including names and faces; utilizing cognitive skills required for successful performance of essential functions; grammar, writing, and composition skills; legible handwriting; appropriate radio manners and voice; and communication, interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.

ICS/NIMS course minimums required for all employees include FEMA IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, and IS-800. Additionally, employees assigned middle and upper-level responsibilities within incident operations may also be required to complete additional follow-on courses deemed as necessary by Emergency Management and Human Resources staff.

Ability to represent the Town in a professional and respectful manner while interacting with a diverse set of individuals within the workplace and the community.

Education and Experience

High School Diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED) and the ability to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the job such as those listed above.

Licenses and Professional Certifications

• North Carolina Driver's License
• North Carolina Basic Law Enforcement Certification

Hiring Process (Probationary Applicants):

• Applicant must complete and upload NC F-3(LE) which can be downloaded at the link below:
• Once on Resources page, under MISCELLANEOUS, click "NC F-3 (LE) Form)"
• Download, complete, and attach form to your application

After applying for employment, the following process will occur:

• Application will be reviewed and determine if the applicant is eligible for a board interview.
• After board interview, the applicant will sign a Release of Information document, submit necessary documents, and then undergo an extensive background investigation.
• Applicant must successfully pass a Chief of Police interview.
• Applicant must successfully complete a polygraph examination.
• Applicant is offered a conditional offer of employment and must successfully pass psychological (including job suitability test), physical, and drug exam.
• Applicant must successfully pass the department's firearm qualification course.
• Applicant must then be eligible for certification by N.C. Criminal Justice Standards Commission.
• Applicant shall be at least 20 years of age.

Disqualifying Factors:

Factors that will be reviewed include, but not limited to, the following:

• Failure to be eligible for certification by the North Carolina Training and Standards Commission (12 NCAC 9B.101/9B.0111)
• Current unsatisfactory credit history rating as determined by the Chief of Police and/or Designee.
• Known unsatisfied judgments at the time of application other than traffic fines
• Arrears in child support or failure to pay child support.
• Felony convictions
• Misdemeanor convictions that either would prohibit certification or could result in the suspension of certification by the North Carolina Training and Standards Commission.
• Individuals that have been named respondent and/or defendant in an active domestic violence protective order (50B Order) issued by a judge of a court of competent jurisdiction.
• Any individual convicted of any offense arising from domestic violence as defined by 18 U.S.C. Section 921(a).
• Unlawful sale or distribution of any controlled substances.
• Knowingly using any Schedule I drug.
• Knowingly using any illicit Schedule II-V within the eighty-four months (7 years) immediately preceding the date of application.
• Knowingly using any non-prescribed Controlled Substance.
• Possession or use of Marijuana or a derivative thereof within the twenty-four months (2 years) immediately preceding the date of application.
• Conviction in any jurisdiction of Driving Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol (D.U.I./D.W.I.) within the five (5) years immediately preceding the date of application.
• Refusal to take a blood or breath test as required by the implied consent of any jurisdiction within the five (5) years immediately preceding the date of application.
• Conviction of Eluding Police, Hit and Run, Vehicle Speed Competition or Death by Vehicle.
• Suspension or revocation of driving privileges in any jurisdiction within the past five (5) years for any reason other than failure to pay fines and costs.
• Dishonorable Discharge from any military service.
• Untruthfulness or the falsification of any application, certificate, credential, interview, test, or document associated with the application for this position.
• Not having United States Citizenship.
• Any behavior that is unsuitable or inappropriate for a Police Officer as determined by the Chief of Police and/or Designee.
• Unstable job history as determined by the Chief of Police and/or Designee.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

Working Conditions
Employee is subject to inside environmental conditions having the lighting, temperature, and noise of an open floor-plan office environment. The employee is also exposed to outdoor conditions when responding to calls, and may be frequently exposed to weather elements including rain, wind, varying temperatures, etc. In addition, the employee must effectively deal with personal danger, which may include exposure to weapons, hazardous chemicals and materials, fumes and smoke, intense heat, electrical hazards, confined or high work places, dangerous animals and/or individuals, extremely loud noises, hazards of emergency driving, hazards associated with traffic control and working in and near traffic, and natural and man-made disasters.

Physical Requirements
A portion of work is performed within an office environment, primarily behind a desk, and frequently includes the operation of a computer. The employee must read and write, and interact with others in person, over the phone, and via other devices. The employee may move about within the facility to access file cabinets, documents, office machinery, and other equipment. Travel is often required to outside sites in order to perform the duties described above, as well as to attend meetings, trainings, events, and other business activities. Work also requires running, walking, standing, bending, crouching, crawling, lifting, carrying, and/or moving equipment and injured/deceased persons, pushing and pulling various objects, climbing stairs and ladders, performing life-saving and rescue procedures, and operating assigned equipment including motor vehicles. Must be able to perform medium work exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally; and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently; and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
Additional Information
Benefits
¨ Reduced Night Shift Schedule
¨ 28 Day Shift Transition Periods
¨ Take Home Vehicle After 1 Year
¨ Uniform Cleaning Allowance
¨ Extensive Training Opportunities
Incentive Pay
¨ After Year 1 Receive 5% Increase
¨ After Year 3 Receive 5% Increase
¨ After Year 5 Receive 5% Increase
¨ Advanced Certification $1,000 Salary Increase
¨ Intermediate Certification $500 Salary Increase
Specialty Pay
¨ FTO Compensation
¨ On Call Compensation
¨ Special Event Contracts
The Town of Surf City offers a complete benefits package to full-time employees including:
health insurance, vision insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, Health Reimbursement Arrangement Plan (HRA), Flexible Spending Account, NC Local Government Retirement System,401K and 457 plans, holidays, vacation, sick leave, deferred compensation plans, and various supplemental insurances.
In addition to the above listed benefits, you also receive:
FREE access to the Community Center's fitness rooms, gymnasium & athletic fields/facilities and discounts on all programs, athletics, wellness classes, and events.