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.

No other State certifications will be considered. If you are not NC State Certified, you must apply to the Police Officer Trainee position to be considered. Only NC State-certified police officers will be considered for this recruitment process.

The Hiring Process for the Police Officer - NC State Certified:

• 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. Visit the Police Department website for more information on the hiring and selection process:

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.