Police Officer

City of Wilmington, NC; Wilmington (NC); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Lateral Recruitment Incentive up to $%

Job summary

City of Wilmington, NC is seeking a Police Officer to respond to citizen calls, investigate crimes, and support safety initiatives across neighborhoods. The role includes using protective equipment, handling prisoner procedures, and assisting with special events.

The position requires driving, documentation, and a willingness to work in varied conditions, with a recent Living Wage increase effective July 1.

Qualifications

• Must be 20 years of age at time of application.
• Valid Driver's License.
• U.S. Citizen.
• High School Diploma or GED.
• North Carolina BLET certification or enrolled in a BLET program with expected graduation within six months; OR two years of out-of-state sworn law enforcement experience with a basic training from the transferring state (no more than three years break).
• Must complete the Wilmington Police Department online Application Packet and pass recruitment steps (physical abilities, written test, interviews, background, polygraph, psych eval, medical exam with drug screen).

Responsibilities

• Respond to citizen calls for service and provide visible, reassuring police presence.
• Investigate crimes and conduct security and traffic operations.
• Manage prisoner procedures and support special events.
• Operate communications systems and navigate city streets.
• Complete detailed documentation and adapt to evolving community needs.

Skills

Physical fitness

Communication

Education

High School Diploma or GED

North Carolina BLET certification

Tools

Protective equipment

Job description

One Mission. One Community. One City.

Join our team and make a real impact in your community. As a Police Officer, you will respond to citizen calls for service, provide a visible and reassuring presence, and carry out essential law enforcement duties to help keep our neighborhoods safe. Youll investigate crimes, conduct security and traffic operations, manage prisoner procedures, and support special events.

In this role, you will operate communications systems, use protective and tactical equipment, complete detailed documentation, navigate city streets, and assist with situations ranging from community concerns to the removal of dangerous animals. Every day brings new responsibilities, new challenges, and new opportunities to serve!

**

Please note: City Council has approved a Living Wage increase, and the salary shown in this posting will take effect beginning July 1.

Qualifications

Successful Candidates Must Meet The Following Minimum Requirements

• 20 years of age at the time of application
• Valid Driver's 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).

All applicants must complete an online Wilmington Police Department Application Packet to be considered. Candidates must successfully complete the entire recruitment process to include: physical abilities testing; written test; interviews; background investigation; polygraph; psychological evaluation; and medical examination with drug screen.

Please visit the Police Department website to view a list of Employment Disqualifiers.

***

Supplemental Information

Physical Demands

Exerting 20-50 lbs. occasionally, 10-25 lbs. frequently, or up to 10 lbs. constantly.

WORKING CONDITIONS: This position generally requires work in a vehicle and outdoors.

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 states 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 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 his 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 employees last day of employment. No payment will be made if the candidate is not hired.