Certified Police Officer (up to $25K hiring incentive)

Certified Police Officer (up to $25K hiring incentive)Location: Wilmington, NC Job Type: Full Time-Regular Job Number: FY26-00053 - 01.2026 Department: Police Department Opening Date: 01/01/2026 Closing Date: 6/30/2026 11:59 PM Eastern Post-Offer Required: Pre-Employment Screenings Driving History Check: Criminal History Check Credit History Check: Background Investigation Drug Screen: Fit for Duty Physical Polygraph: Psychological Examination Full Salary Range: $52,153.92 - $80,829.84 Annually ($23.88 - $37.01 hourly) Working Hours: 2080 hr schedule for training period and then 2184 patrol schedule following state certification and swearing-in period. Shift at the determination of the department.

Benefits:

The City of Wilmington is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Position Description

Hiring incentives of up to $25,000 for certified lateral transfers! Please see details in the Supplemental Information section of the job posting.

This application process is for candidates that are BLET Certified, currently in a BLET class (within 6 months of graduation) or a Lateral State Transfer.

All other candidates for Police Trainee, please access the City of Wilmington Employment Page.

The City of Wilmington is accepting applications for Police Officer. In addition to completing the City of Wilmington online application, candidates must also complete and attach supplemental documents to finalize the Police Officer Application Packet.

Required Forms:

The following forms must be completed and attached to the online application for consideration (NOTE: Please make sure appropriate notarization is obtained on the F-3 prior to submitting an application):

• North Carolina Personal History Statement (F3) - select "Police F3", select "Sign Up", complete online, print, & have notarized. (Attach full notarized document to the application) • WPD Personal History Waiver - print and complete (handwritten signature required) • WPD Credit Inquiry Waiver - print and complete (handwritten signature required) • Criminal History Inquiry Waiver - print and complete (handwritten signature required) • Driving History Inquiry Waiver - print and complete (handwritten signature required) • Copy of Birth Certificate • Copy of current NC Law Enforcement Certificate if applicable • Copy of Official Transcript (seal not required) - High School - transcript only - GED - copy of final grade must be attached - College - transcript only

Application Process:

The following is a summary of the steps in the recruitment process:

Step 1: Completion of City of Wilmington online Application and Wilmington Police Department Application Packet Step 2: Preliminary Screening (against job qualifications) Step 3: Job-Related Physical Abilities Test Step 4: Written Test Step 5: Interview Board Step 6: Complete Background Investigation Step 7: Deputy Chiefs of Police Interview Steps 8-11 are completed once a conditional job offer has been given.

Step 8: Polygraph Step 9: Psychological Evaluation Step 10: Medical/Drug Screening Step 11: Final Offer of Employment after an online Application Packet is submitted to the City of Wilmington Human Resources Department, it will be forwarded to the Wilmington Police Department Professional Development Unit.

Physical Abilities Test:

The Physical Abilities Test outlined below must be completed in 7 minutes 20 seconds or less to continue in the recruitment process. Applicants will be given one attempt to pass the test.

• Run 200 yards
• Step up on a step box 20 times
• 15 Push Ups
• 15 Sit Ups
• Step up on a step box 20 times
• 15 Push Ups
• 15 Sit Ups
• Run 200 yards

Written Test:

The Written Test will consist of a video-based, multiple choice test. Applicants must achieve a score of at least 70% in order to continue in the recruitment process.

Qualifications:

Successful candidates must meet the following minimum requirements:

• 20 years of age at the time of application
• Valid Drivers License
• U. S. Citizen
• High School Diploma or GED
• North Carolina BLET certification or currently enrolled in a BLET program with the expectation of graduating within the next six months; OR
• Two years, full-time, out-of-state sworn law enforcement experience and have successfully completed a basic law enforcement training course accredited by the state from which you are transferring (cannot have a break in service exceeding three years).

Benefits:

The City of Wilmington believes that employees are one of our most important resources. We offer an excellent salary and competitive benefits package to serve the needs of our employees and their families. Our benefits package includes:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance + many other insurance options
• Excellent retirement benefits, including a city provided 4.5% contribution each pay period into a 401(k) account and automatic enrollment into the North Carolina Local Government Employees' Retirement System
• Employer-paid health & wellness clinic
• Free on-site city gym access
• Paid sick and vacation leave + 13 paid holidays per year
• 6-weeks paid parental leave
• Paid volunteer & blood donation leave to give back to our community
• Flex schedule and telework availability, depending on your position
• Professional development trainings & leadership initiatives
• Tuition assistance benefits

Employer Information:

The City of Wilmington is on a bi-weekly pay cycle. New employees should expect to receive their first paycheck approximately 3 weeks after their start date.

Supplemental Information:

The City of Wilmington is offering up to $25k with a new Lateral Recruitment Incentive Program

To Qualify, candidates must:

• Successfully completed the Basic Law Enforcement Training or another state's equivalent (as determined in a review of comparable experience by the Chief of Police)
• Is actively certified and eligible to be employed as a certified police officer with the City of Wilmington
• Must be hired as a Full-time Certified Police Officer and begin their employment on or after August 27, 2025
• May not be an employee of the City of Wilmington in any capacity as of August 27, 2025
• Incentive Payment Levels Available Based on Years of Experience: • $25,000: Two (2) or more years of sworn law enforcement experience in NC AND has their NC Intermediate Law Enforcement Certificate. • $20,000: Less than two (2) years of sworn law enforcement experience in NC, OR more than two years of sworn law enforcement experience in NC, but does not have their Intermediate Law Enforcement Certificate. • $15,000: Two (2) or more years of sworn law enforcement experience outside of NC. • $10,000: Less than two (2) years of sworn law enforcement experience outside of NC after the successful completion of BLET.

Incentives:

Incentives above cannot be combined. Payment Processing Certified Officers hired under this program will receive 20% of their eligible incentive in their first paycheck. Each remaining 20% of their incentive will be paid in subsequent six-month increments, paid within 30 days of completion of that period of employment. Total payment will be paid over 24 months (payments in months 0, 6, 12, 18, 24).

**Eligibility for any remaining incentive payments under this program will immediately cease if the employee separates from employment with the City of Wilmington for any reason during their first 25 months of employment under this program. This includes any payment that has not yet been processed as of the employee's last day of employment. No payment will be made if the candidate is not hired.

Core Values:

INCLUSION | COLLABORATION | CREATIVITY | ACCOUNTABILITY

Mission Statement:

Through forward-thinking policies and responsible stewardship, we are creating a better city every day with excellent core services and quality of life for all.

What we offer:

The City of Wilmington believes that employees are one of our most important resources. We offer an excellent salary and competitive benefits package to serve the needs of our employees and their families.

Applicant Status Updates:

After the closing date for this position, applications will be screened by Human Resources. Applicants who meet the minimum and/or preferred qualifications will be referred over to the hiring department. All updates regarding an application can be viewed through your applicant portal.

Benefits are offered to employees working at least 30 hours per week.

Health Insurance:

The City offers two options for health coverage: a standard PPO plan and a High Deductible Health Plan with an associated Health Savings Account. Coverage becomes effective the first day of the month following 30 days of employment for employees and their eligible dependents. Both you and the City contribute to the overall cost of coverage.

Dental Insurance:

Coverage becomes effective the first day of the month following 30 days of employment. Employees, their spouse and dependent children are eligible for coverage.

Life Insurance:

The city pays to provide coverage valued at one times your annual salary. Supplemental insurance is available for employees to purchase. Optional coverage for dependents is also available for purchase.

Sworn Law Enforcement Officers (LEOs) are also provided additional life insurance thru the NC Retirement System. The supplemental life insurance is equal to one times the annual salary, not to exceed $50,000.

Retirement:

• NC Local Government Retirement System - All benefits eligible employees make a mandatory 6% contribution every pay period.
• Deferred Compensation - For all employees, the city contributes 4.5% of salary to a 401(k) plan regardless of employee contribution. In addition, the City contributes an additional 5% of salary to the LEO 401(k) plan for all Sw