Job Description

Summary

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 Informatio n : 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. 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 through the City of Asheville Human Resources Department.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• 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 work 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.

Education and Experience

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 which would be visible while on-duty cannot be offensive, obscene, or otherwise inappropriate.
  • Tattoos, branding, 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, branding, or intentional scarring are not permitted on the face, neck, ears, or scalp. There is an exception for natural-looking permanent makeup and wedding band tattoos similar in size to a ring. 

• 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 with exposure to the elements.
• Frequent physical effort is required.

Some positions may require a fingerprint-based SBI background check after a conditional offer and before your start date; HR will provide instructions if applicable.

For benefits-eligible positions, explore our full benefits at AshevilleBenefits.com .

About us:

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 by its diversity.

The City’s policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment. Applicants will be assured of fair treatment in all aspects of recruitment and selection without regard to a person’s age, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, genetic information,or disability, except where certain physical and mental requirements are Bona Fide Occupational Qualifications (BFOQ). The City of Asheville is proud to be a second chance employer.

The City of Asheville is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

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