Police Officer - NC State Certified

Starting basic salary for a Police Officer who already has their certification from the state is $47,461.44 plus qualifying incentives. After 3 years of service as a police officer, officers advance to Senior Police Officer and are paid a salary of $50,884.86 plus qualifying incentives.  

 

Salary Range

  • Police Officer: $47,461.44 – $52,388.44
  • Senior Police Officer: $50,884.86 – $63,548.42
  • Police Detective: $53,428.96 – $66,725.62
  • Police Sergeant: $58,517.68 – $80,667.08
  • Lieutenant: $70,221.06 – $92,136.20
  • Captain: $84,265.37 – $110,563.57

 

An example of a lateral Police Officer with three years of experience. 

  • Base Pay: $50,884.86
  • Yearly Uniform Allowance: $1,000
  • Bachelor’s Degree: $1,526.54
  • Specialty Team Pay: $1,526.54
  • Foreign Language: $1,526.54
  • NC Advanced Law Enforcement Certification: $4,070.72
    Total Salary: $60,535.20
Duties:
  • 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 works 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.
  • Completion of a screening test for drugs.

Automatic Disqualification:
  • Any conviction of a felony.
  • A DUI or DWI conviction in the last five (5) years. 
  • Any use of hard illegal drugs such as methamphetamine, cocaine, LSD or heroin  within the past two (2) years.
  • Dishonorable discharge from any military service. 
    Less than honorable discharges will be reviewed on a case by case basis. 
    Untruthfulness or intentionally withholding information on any application, interview, or paperwork associated with the position.
    Cheating on any examination or testing associated with the position.
  •  
  • The department permits the display of tattoos while on duty with a few stipulations:
  • Tattoos, branding, or intentional scarring are not permitted on the face, neck, ears, scalp, or hands. There is an exception for natural-looking permanent makeup and wedding band tattoos similar in size to a ring. 
  • Tattoos, brandings or intentional scarring that are gang-related, that convey sexual, racial, religious, ethnic, or related intolerances, or that portray derogatory or offensive characterizations contrary to the values of the department are prohibited.
  • Tattoos which would be visible while on-duty cannot be offensive, obscene, or otherwise inappropriate.

 

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Working Conditions

 

  • Adaptability.
  • Critical thinking.
  • Conflict resolution.
  • Good Communication (both verbally and in writing).
  • Capacity for empathy and compassion.
  • Capacity for engaging in teamwork and ability to collaborate.
  • Ability to use good judgment, reason and problem solve.
  • Ability to demonstrate courage and to take responsibility.
  • Ability to be resourceful and show initiative.
  • Ability to perform physical functions of position, including physically restraining people.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships both internally and externally.
  • Ability to read and understand basic workplace data, such as simple forms, tables, graphs, schedules, etc.
  • Ability to compile data into a formal report or recommendation shared with others.
  • Ability to work independently with limited supervision.
  • Ability to analyze and interpret policy and procedural guidelines and to apply this understanding to tasks.
  • Ability to bring resources together to resolve a problem or provide a solution.


WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Majority of work is performed outside of with exposure to the elements.
  • Frequent physical effort is required.
Benefits:
The City of Asheville offers a comprehensive benefit package and other programs, resources, policies and practices that integrate work/life strategies. Our programs have been designed to provide a variety of choices to best fit your needs and the needs of your family.
The City of Asheville provides eligible employees with access to a variety of benefit plans that promote health and wellness, in addition to helping you build financial resources for retirement. We offer the benefit plans you would expect from a leading employer—such as health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, retirement and a variety of other voluntary programs that can be valuable for your specific needs. All police department employees, sworn and civilian, are offered the following benefits: 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.

Police
Officer
Trainee

Starting basic salary for Police Officer Trainees is $43,825.08. Upon completion of the academy and obtaining certification from the state, salary will increase to  $47,461.44. After 3 years of service as a police officer, officers advance to Senior Police Officer and are paid a salary of $50,884.86.

 

Salary Range

  • Police Officer: $47,461.44 – $52,388.44
  • Senior Police Officer: $50,884.86 – $63,548.42
  • Police Detective: $53,428.96 – $66,725.62
  • Police Sergeant: $58,517.68 – $80,667.08
  • Lieutenant: $70,221.06 – $92,136.20
  • Captain: $84,265.37 – $110,563.57

 

An example of a Police Officer Trainee’s salary.

  • Base Pay: $43,825.08
  • Foreign Language: $1,314.75
  • Bachelor’s Degree: $1,314.75

         Total Salary: $46,454.58

 

Duties:
  • Participates in patrol of an assigned area of the City. Inspects troublesome areas and checks security of business establishments. Answers complaint calls and assists in investigating crimes and disturbances. Interviews witnesses, gathers evidence. Interrogates suspects, makes arrests, and prepares investigation reports.
  • Investigates traffic accidents and performs first aid. Secures and clears accident scenes. Directs traffic.
  • Monitors vehicle speeds with radar, conducts criminal and driving checks and issues summons or warnings.
  • Serves or participates in the service of legal papers, such as citations, subpoenas, warrants and commitment orders. Locates designated parties, explains the meaning of papers and makes arrests when necessary.
  • Appears in court as a witness to give testimony.
  • Attends various community functions to establish law enforcement presence. Interacts with residents as appropriate to establish and maintain positive image of Department and law enforcement activities.
  • Prepares various reports and forms such as case files, offense reports, accident reports, tow sheets and cards, property vouchers and lab requests. 
  • Performs other duties as required.
Requirements:

Education & Experience

Educational requirement is minimum high school diploma and/or GED. Preference will be given to applicants with advanced degrees and/or military service with an honorable discharge.

Police Officer Trainee must have the ability to obtain certification as a Police Officer through the Criminal Justice Education and Standards Commission of North Carolina within six (6) months of assignment to class.

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.
  • Completion of a screening test for drugs.
Automatic Disqualification:
  • Any conviction of a felony.
  • A DUI or DWI conviction in the last five (5) years.
  • Any use of hard illegal drugs such as methamphetamine, cocaine, LSD or heroin  within the past two (2) years.
  • Dishonorable discharge from any military service. 
  • Less than honorable discharges will be reviewed on a case by case basis. 
  • Untruthfulness or intentionally withholding information on any application, interview, or paperwork associated with the position.
  • Cheating on any examination or testing associated with the position.

Tattoos and Body Modification – The department permits the display of tattoos while on duty with a few stipulations:

  • Tattoos, branding, or intentional scarring  are not permitted on the face, neck, ears, scalp or hands. There is an exception for natural-looking permanent makeup and wedding band tattoos similar in size to a ring.

  • Tattoos, brandings, or intentional scarring that are gang-related, that convey sexual, racial, religious, ethnic, or related intolerances, or that portray derogatory or offensive characterizations contrary to the values of the department are prohibited.

  • Tattoos which would be visible while on-duty cannot be offensive, obscene, or otherwise inappropriate. 

 

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Working Conditions

Upon completion of training, candidates will have:

  • Working knowledge of modern law enforcement practices and procedures.
  • Working knowledge of federal, state, and local laws pertaining to law enforcement work.
  • Working knowledge of the locations of streets, roads, highways and the geography and socioeconomic characteristics of the City.
  • Working knowledge of the content and purpose of legal papers and the practices involved in serving them.
  • Some knowledge of the standard practices, materials, techniques, and equipment associated with the Patrol Division.
  • Working knowledge of community policing philosophy and the SARA model for Community Policing.
  • Ability to use firearms and other law enforcement equipment.
  • Ability to exercise sound judgment in emergency and routine situations and to adopt quick, effective and reasonable courses of action.
  • Ability to apply interpretation of laws to specific situations.
  • Ability to prepare clear and concise reports.
  • Ability to present court testimony effectively.
  • Ability to perform physical functions of position, including physically restraining people.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.
WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
  • Majority of work is performed outside of with exposure to the elements.
  • Frequent physical effort is required.
Benefits:
The City of Asheville offers a comprehensive benefit package and other programs, resources, policies and practices that integrate work/life strategies. Our programs have been designed to provide a variety of choices to best fit your needs and the needs of your family.
The City of Asheville provides eligible employees with access to a variety of benefit plans that promote health and wellness, in addition to helping you build financial resources for retirement. We offer the benefit plans you would expect from a leading employer—such as health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, retirement and a variety of other voluntary programs that can be valuable for your specific needs. All police department employees, sworn and civilian, are offered the following benefits: 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.

Get paid while attending Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET)