Police Officer

Town of Wendell; Wendell (NC); On-site; USD 59,000 - 96,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

LBA wellness allowance

HRA card

Gym membership

Take home car policy

CALEA-accredited department

Longevity pay

Specialty units

Instructor pay

Job summary

The Town of Wendell Police Department is seeking a lateral transfer for Patrol Officer I or II. The role involves patrolling, enforcing laws, and engaging with the community, under a shift-based schedule and state certification requirements.

Salary will be determined by experience; candidates must complete BLET, hold a valid NC driver’s license, CPR/First Aid certification, and pass the standard application process including background checks and a polygraph.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of modern law enforcement principles, practices, and procedures.
• Knowledge of departmental policies and federal, state, local laws and ordinances.
• Knowledge of the Town’s geography and locations.
• Knowledge of criminal behavior in difficult situations.
• Knowledge of English grammar and vocabulary.
• CPR and First Aid certification is required.

Responsibilities

• Patrols streets by car, bike, or on foot to deter crime and respond to incidents.
• Investigates accidents and crimes; collects evidence and submits reports.
• Directs traffic at busy times and during special events.
• Makes arrests and processes suspects; serves warrants as needed.
• Provides information and assistance to the public and presents findings in court.

Skills

Patrol duties

Emergency response

Public safety

Effective communication

Law enforcement principles

Education

High school diploma or GED

Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) completion

NC state certification requirements

Job description

The Town of Wendell is Recruiting for a Lateral Transfer of a Patrol Officer I or II

Salary offered will be determined based on experience

Patrol Officer I - $58,587.75-$90,811.301

Patrol Officer II - $62,103.02-$96,259.67

Wendell is proud to be one of the safest communities in North Carolina, according to independent research from SafeWise in 2025, collected via up-to-date FBI crime statistics. We are nationally accredited through CALEA, reflecting our commitment to excellence. With Wendell recently named the fastest growing town in North Carolina, it's an exciting time to be a part of our community. If you want to contribute to that growth and join a high-performing, service-focused team, now is the time to apply!

The Wendell Police Department has the following core values:

• COMMITMENT – We have a selfless determination and relentless dedication to the public, our partners, and to each other. We will strive to continually improve our community and our agency.
• COLLABORATION – We understand the importance of building partnerships. We will develop and maintain lasting partnerships to promote community engagement and inclusive problem solving.
• INTEGRITY – We are committed to the highest standards of honesty and ethical conduct, which are the cornerstones of our profession.
• PROFESSIONALISM – We accept responsibility for our actions. We are accountable to ourselves and those we serve. We will communicate honestly and consistently strive for excellence.

If these values align with yours, we'd love to have you as a part of our team!

Wendell Police Department Perks:

• LBA - wellness allowance per year to be used for a variety of wellness and/or personal needs, including child activities, educational programs, fitness (including classes, fitness equipment, fitness trackers, and more), healthy meal delivery services, meditation/mindfulness programs, med spa services, and many other categories in support of your overall personal wellness.
• HRA card (annual employer-paid towards copays, prescriptions, medical supplies, etc)
• Gym membership
• Tattoos and beards allowed
• Take home car policy based on training & experience
• Insurance upon retirement
• Specialty units (drone, community engagement, traffic) with plenty of growth & opportunity
• CALEA-accredited department
• Longevity pay program
• Outer carriers for officers
• Instructor pay incentive

Distinguishing Features of the Class

An employee in this class performs a full range of general law enforcement duties. Work includes patrolling the Town during an assigned shift in a police car or on foot; preventing, detecting, and investigating disturbances and crime; performing traffic control work; apprehending suspects; and executing related assignments. Employees must exercise judgment, initiative, and calm control when performing duties; more difficult problems are normally carried out under the direction of or in conjunction with a Police Sergeant assigned. Work involves frequent public contact, which requires tact, firmness, and decisiveness. Work is performed in accordance with departmental policy and state and federal law, supplemented with specific directions from superior officers. Work is performed under the direct supervision of the Unit Sergeant and is evaluated for effectiveness, visibility, compliance with standards, public support, and attainment of performance objectives.

• Patrols streets in a police car, on bicycle, or on foot; checks doors and windows; examines premises of unoccupied residences or buildings; detects unusual conditions; may maintain surveillance and observation for stolen cars, missing persons, or suspects; reports dangerous or defective streets, sidewalks, traffic lights, or other hazardous conditions.
• Responds to calls for assistance, complaints, suspicious activity, domestic disputes, and loud and disruptive behavior; completes calls by determining true nature of the situation and taking whatever legal or persuasive action is warranted.
• Regulates and directs vehicular traffic at busy times at local schools and when traffic signal malfunctions or accidents require.
• Investigates traffic accidents; issues traffic citations; directs traffic and participates in other emergency operation activities; conducts special traffic checkpoints to enforce seatbelt, alcohol, speed, or other laws.
• Sets up traffic enforcement zones and issues citations for violation of traffic regulations; conducts DWI and license checking stations.
• Performs investigations of accidents or possible crimes through observation, questioning witnesses, and gathering, packaging, and submitting physical evidence; performs investigative tasks; arrests and processes criminal suspects; presents findings in court.
• Serves warrants; apprehends and processes criminal suspects and transports to magistrate &/or County detention facilities.
• Prepares records and reports of activities.
• Advises the public on laws and local ordinances; serves papers as needed.
• Assists stranded motorists; gives information and directions to visitors and the general public.
• Makes presentations to schools and civic groups.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Knowledge of modern law enforcement principles, practices, and procedures.
• Knowledge of departmental standard operating policies and procedures, and federal, state, and local laws and ordinances.
• Knowledge of practices, materials, techniques, and equipment pertinent to job assignment
• Knowledge of the Town’s geography and location of streets, homes, businesses, and buildings.
• Knowledge of criminal human behavior when confronted with difficult situations.
• Knowledge of effective communication practices including focused listening.
• Knowledge of English grammar, sentence structure, and vocabulary.
• Knowledge of the operation and uses of personal computers including word processing and database software.
• Skill in the use of firearms and other authorized law enforcement equipment.
• Ability and willingness to act quickly and properly in emergency situations.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, subordinates, and the general public.
• Ability to express thoughts clearly, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to work varied shifts and assignments including undercover activity.
• Ability to work independently without close supervision and as a member of a team.
• Ability to take charge of emergency situations until relieved by a law enforcement superior.
• Ability to develop a positive public image and exercise appropriate judgment in all situations.

Graduation from high school or GED; and any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Special Requirements

• Completion of Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) and successful completion of state certification examination as required by NC Criminal Justice Education & Training Standards Commission.
• Valid North Carolina Driver’s License.
• CPR and First Aid Certification.
• Meet and maintain all minimum state and local training and education requirements for the position.
• Meet other requirements/standards as may be delineated in the department’s Career Development Program Policy.
• Successful completion of a pre-determined hiring process in addition to a psychological examination, physical examination, drug screen, background investigation, and a polygraph/voice stress analysis.

Physical Requirements

Work in this class is defined as medium work, exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. When apprehending suspects who resist arrest, work is deemed as heavy work requiring exertion in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Vocal communication is required to express or exchange ideas or other information between individuals or groups. Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels. Visual acuity is required for depth perception, color perception, preparing and analyzing written or computer data, inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, use of measuring devices, operation of machines and motor vehicles, determining accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing surroundings. Physical activities include climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, and feeling. Employee must be able to demonstrate continued physical fitness to withstand the rigors of a law enforcement officer and potential physical confrontation with assailants and/or foot chases for apprehensions. Employee may be required to use deadly force to subdue an assailant or to protect themselves or others.

Working Conditions

Employee is exposed to both inside and outside working conditions in all types of weather from extremes of cold and heat to rain/snow/ice as well as varying terrain from streets, dense foliage, dark buildings, and water. Employee may be exposed to noise which would require the worker to shout to be heard above the ambient noise level. Workplace conditions include operating vehicles for extended periods of time, working varied hours and shifts, and confronting violent persons who may have criminal records with little to no respect for law enforcement, or who may be a threat to themselves or others. Work requires application of safety precautions and wearing of protective clothing, gloves, and body armor designed to minimize exposure to blood-borne pathogens, communicable diseases, and bodily harm.

Law enforcement patrol personnel work a Modified Dupont schedule, which consists of two-week rotating shifts, 6 am to 6 pm and 6 pm to 6 am.

Personal History Statement: Form F-3

As a part of the application process for Police Officer, you are required to fill out the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission Form F-3 found here. Please attach your completed Form to your application before submittal.

FLSA Status

Non-Exempt Section 7(k) of the FLSA

Disclaimer

This classification specification has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to perform the job. The Town of Wendell reserves the right to assign or otherwise modify the duties assigned to this classification.