Police Officer - Lateral - 1 Year Post Field Training Required

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

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Holiday Time

Take Home Car Program

Tuition Assistance Program

On‑Site Physical Fitness Facility

Career Development

Job summary

City of Hickory is seeking qualified police officer candidates to patrol assigned areas, deter crime, and enforce traffic laws. You will respond to a range of calls, conduct preliminary inquiries, interview victims and witnesses, and secure crime scenes.

You may obtain and serve warrants and provide essential support to fellow officers. The role requires successful completion of NC BLET, high school graduation, and a thorough background check.

Qualifications

• Must possess a high school diploma or GED.
• Must possess a NC Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) certification.
• Ability to pass physical and background examinations.
• Knowledge of laws, ordinances, and traffic regulations.
• Ability to read, write and perform mathematical calculations at high school level.

Responsibilities

• Patrols assigned area to detect and deter criminal activity and traffic violations.
• Responds to calls including domestic disputes, assaults, burglaries and traffic incidents.
• Conducts preliminary inquiries, field interviews, and gathers information and evidence.
• Obtains and serves warrants; arrests and processes offenders.
• Provides assistance to other officers and first aid to victims as needed.
• Directs traffic for events and testifies in judicial proceedings.
• Completes required reports and forms, including accident reports.

Skills

Oral and written communication

Firearms operation

Radio communications

Decision making under pressure

Interpersonal skills

Education

High school diploma or GED

NC Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) certification

Background investigation clearance

Tools

Radar speed detection device

Police radio equipment

Job description

*Officer positions qualify for an additional $2,484.15 in holiday pay.

**Applicants who have successfully completed NC Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) are preferred. Applicants who are currently enrolled in BLET or who are planning to enroll in BLET in the near future may also apply. Sworn law enforcement agents, officers and deputies from other states are also encouraged to apply*

This position patrols (on foot or in patrol car) an assigned area in business and residential sections to preserve general order; directs traffic and enforces law; operates speed detection device (radar); performs other police related duties as required. Must pass physical examination and other examinations; prefer applicants with good knowledge of laws and ordinances relating to arrest, search and seizure, traffic control and modern police practices; radio communications and apprehension of criminals; minimum age of twenty years; applicants must not have been convicted of a felony and must undergo a thorough background investigation.

*Salary Depends on Qualifications

Responsibilities

• Patrols assigned area to detect and deter criminal activity and traffic violations.
• Responds to calls, including domestic disputes, assaults, burglaries, traffic accidents, lost or missing persons searches, public service duties, stranded motorists, and others.
• Conducts preliminary inquiries, field interviews, and follow‑up investigations to include interviewing victims, complainants and witnesses, gathering information and evidence, and securing the crime scene.
• Obtains and serves search and criminal warrants; apprehends, arrests, and processes offenders, including juveniles.
• Provides assistance and backup support to other officers as necessary.
• Provides first aid to victims as necessary and assists motorists.
• Provides traffic direction as needed for events such as parades, funerals, ball games, and school crossings.
• Testifies in judicial proceedings.
• Completes all required reports and forms, including accident and incident reports.
• Serves criminal papers.
• Transports prisoners from police headquarters to detention facility.
• Inspects and maintains patrol car.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Must pass physical examination and other examinations; prefer applicants with good knowledge of laws and ordinances relating to arrest, search and seizure, traffic control and modern police practices; radio communications and apprehension of criminals; minimum age of twenty years; applicants must not have been convicted of a felony and must undergo a thorough background investigation.
• Must possess a high school diploma or GED.
• Must possess a NC Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) certification.
• Ability to read, write and perform mathematical calculations at a level commonly associated with the completion of high school or equivalent.
• Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid driver's license issued by the State of North Carolina for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.
• Ability to meet current requirements set forth by the North Carolina Training and Standards Commission.
• Knowledge of relevant federal and state laws, criminal and traffic codes, juvenile law, search and seizure laws, city ordinances, and departmental policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of traffic investigation techniques and procedures.
• Knowledge of the geographical layout of the city.
• Knowledge of first aid.
• Knowledge of court system and procedures.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Skill in the use of firearms, communication equipment, and other standard and specialized equipment.
• Skill in the use of photographic and surveillance equipment, audio and video equipment, radios, and various emergency equipment.
• Skill in restraining persons without causing physical harm.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee in this position to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently/repeatedly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands and exert force; stoop; kneel; half-kneel; squat; crouch; crawl; talk; and hear. An employee in this position will have successfully passed the North Carolina Police Officer Physical Ability Test.

Safety Sensitive

SAFETY SENSITIVE: This position has been identified as safety-sensitive. The employee in this position will be part of a random drug testing pool. The methodology for choosing the random test subjects is handled by an outside, impartial, third party vendor.

Work Environment

Work Environment: Work is performed indoors, traveling in a vehicle, and outside where the employee may be exposed to cold or inclement weather. The employee may be exposed to infectious and contagious diseases and life‑threatening situations.

PLEASE NOTE: Applicants must meet the City criteria for an acceptable driving record.

Benefits

• For full time employees, the City of Hickory's benefits package includes health, dental, life, dependent life and short term disability at very attractive rates.
• There are no benefits for part time and seasonal workers.

Additional Benefits

• Paid Holiday Time
• Take Home Car Program
• Tuition Assistance Program
• On‑Site Physical Fitness Facility
• Career Development

Career Opportunities

• Community Policing
• Patrol
• Criminal Investigations
• Vice/Narcotics
• School Resource
• Special Operations
• K‑9
• Unmanned Aircraft Systems