Police Officer Recruit

Start your law enforcement career as a Guardian of the Hill!

We are currently hiring people who want to become police officers with our department and will need to attend, or are currently attending, a Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) Academy.

Be part of a police department that values your experience, your well-being, and your career goals. We offer competitive pay and benefits, and we lead the way in meaningful and progressive approaches to protecting, partnering, and serving the community.

Starting salary for Police Officer Recruit is now $57,164. In addition to competitive pay, we offer excellent incentives, ample paid overtime, and extra duty opportunities for officers.

Starting salary increases with the following incentives:

• $1,500 for associate degree

• $2,500 for bachelor’s degree

• $4,500 for master’s degree

• $1,500 for language fluency

• $1,500 for Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate

• $500 annually for successfully completing physical abilities test

• 3% increase for officers serving as Field Training Officer

The Town of Chapel Hill provides all employees with a generous and comprehensive benefits package including health and dental insurance at no cost to the employee, effective on their first day of employment.

Opportunities Just for You

Our department advances officers with extensive training and career advancement planning that is personalized for you, and we’re committed to flexible scheduling to make time for it. We also offer a variety of rotational positions designed to give patrol officers specialized experience earlier in their career.

Co-Response is Part of Our DNA

Officers work side-by-side with our Crisis Unit – a co-responder model that has been part of our department for over 50 years. Officers and crisis counselors collaborate and provide onsite emergency responses to people who are experiencing a crisis.

Star your career in law enforcement with our department today! Contact Meg McGurk, Community Safety Planner, at [email protected] or 919-968-2835. To learn more about how to advance your career with our department, visit www.chapelhillnc.gov/police.

• May perform a variety of law enforcement duties such as responding to calls for service, enforcing traffic and criminal laws; and conducting high visibility patrols

• May perform investigations; conduct interviews; process crime scenes; and collect evidence

• May perform community policing activities

• Performs other duties as required

Supervision Exercised 

None 

Physical Demands 

The work requires intermittent sitting, standing, walking, running, or stooping. The employee uses equipment requiring a high degree of dexterity and medium strength. 

Work Environment 

The work is typically performed in vehicle or in the field.

• Must meet the NC Department of Justice minimum standards for certification.

• An equivalent combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the job.

Knowledge of:

• State and federal laws

• Town ordinances, departmental policies, and procedures

• Best practices in policing and customer service

Ability to:

• Solve problems and make sound decisions, performing mathematical calculations

• Maintain accurate financial records and prepare reports

• Utilize a personal computer and various word processing and database software applications

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, community members, and supervisors

• Maintain required certification

• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing

• Model behavior that is consistent with our values of RESPECT

Education 

A high school diploma or its equivalent Experience No experience required for Police Officer I. 

Certifications

• Maintain North Carolina certification.

• Possession of or the ability to obtain a valid driver's license North Carolina issued by the state of NC and the availability of private transportation or the ability to provide transportation between job sites.