Police Cadet

The City of Asheville is dedicated to providing quality service for the residents and visitors of our beautiful city, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina. Asheville, NC is a thriving mountain city that has a culture enriched in diversity.

The City of Asheville values and respects a diverse community, workforce and ideas, and is committed to promoting an equitable, fair, and just employment environment. Our organization seeks to create and provide access and opportunities to employees, residents and visitors to fulfill their potential through inclusive engagement practices.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information or veteran status.

About our opportunity: 

The City of Asheville invites you to apply to start your law enforcement career with The Asheville Police department. This position performs routine law enforcement work as a trainee of the City Police Department. Work includes patrolling the City in an official vehicle, on bicycle or on foot to deter crime or apprehend violators or suspects; answering complaint calls, serving legal papers, attending court, and investigating and securing crime scenes, working with community members to identify and solve crime related problems. Work may be performed independently if the Field Training Program is successfully completed. Tact and firmness are required in frequent public contact. Work is performed in accordance with established policies and procedures of the Police Department and is supplemented by frequent specific instructions. The employee is subject to the usual hazards of law enforcement work. Work is performed under the general supervision of a Police Sergeant and is evaluated in terms of adherence to departmental policies and procedures and the effectiveness with which assigned duties are performed.

Full Time 40 Hrs Week; must be able to work rotating shifts, evenings, weekends, and holidays. If hired, the training schedule is Monday - Friday 8 am-5 pm.  After training, Police Officers work 12 hour shifts either 6 am–6 pm, 7 am-7 pm or 6 pm-6 am, 7 pm–7 am. 

The Hiring Process Includes:

• 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 health assessment 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:

https://www.ashevillenc.gov/service/city-job-opportunities-police-department/

Employee Benefits and Position Information Starting basic salary for Police Cadets/Trainees is $47,915.10. Upon completion of the academy and obtaining certification from the state, salary will increase to $50,309.74.

Career Ladder and Salary Ranges:

• Police Trainee: $47,915.10

• Police Officer: $50,309.74 – $75,464.74

• Senior Police Officer I / Detective I: $52,825.23 – $79,237.86

• Senior Police Officer II / Detective II: Police Detective: $55,466.58 – $83,199.74

• Master Police Officer I / Master Police Officer I: $58,239.74 – $87,359.74

• Master Police Officer II / Master Police Officer II: $61,152.00 – $91,727.74

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. Get paid while attending Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET). Relocation assistance may be available.

$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 on Ashevillebenefits.com