Police Trainee - Asheville Police Department

Summary

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 in diversity.

The City of Asheville values and respects a diverse community, workforce and ideas, and is committed to promoting an equitable, fair, and just employment environment. Our organization seeks to create and provide access and opportunities to employees, residents and visitors to fulfill their potential through inclusive engagement practices.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information or veteran status.

About our Opportunity:

The City of Asheville invites you to apply to start your law enforcement career with The Asheville Police department. This position performs routine law enforcement work as a trainee of the City Police Department. Work includes patrolling the City in an official vehicle, on bicycle or on foot to deter crime or apprehend violators or suspects; answering complaint calls, serving legal papers, attending court, and investigating and securing crime scenes, working with community members to identify and solve crime related problems. Work may be performed independently if Field Training Program is successfully completed. Tact and firmness are required in frequent public contact. Work is performed in accordance with established policies and procedures of the Police Department and is supplemented by frequent specific instructions. The employee is subject to the usual hazards of law enforcement work. Work is performed under the general supervision of a Police Sergeant and is evaluated in terms of adherence to departmental policies and procedures and the effectiveness with which assigned duties are performed.

Full Time 40 Hrs Week; must be able to work rotating shifts, evenings, weekends, and holidays. If hired the training schedule is Monday - Friday 8 am-5 pm.  After training, Police Officers work 12 hour shifts either 6 am–6 pm, 7 am-7 pm or 6 pm-6 am, 7 pm–7 am.

The Hiring Process Includes:

1. Initial Review
2. Entrance Exam & Fitness Assessment (Modified Coopers Exam)
3. Panel Interview & 1:1 Interview
4. Conditional Offer/Drug Screen/Health Assessment*
5. Background Investigation
6. Polygraph
7. Psychological Evaluation
8. Executive Review

* Must successfully complete a pre-employment health assessment 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.

Employee Benefits and Position Information
Starting basic salary for Police Officer Trainees is $43,825.08. Upon completion of the academy and obtaining certification from the state, salary will increase to $47,461.44. For the next 3 years, the salary will be raised per city council approval. After 3 years of service as a police officer, officers advance to Senior Police Officer and are paid a salary of $50,884.86.

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.
• Get paid while attending Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET).
• 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)

Sworn lateral transfers will be provided with a balance of 5 vacation days upon hire.

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 Responsibillities

• Participates in patrol of an assigned area of the City. Inspects troublesome areas and checks security of business establishments. Answers complaint calls and assists in investigating crimes and disturbances. Interviews witnesses, gathers evidence. Interrogates suspects, makes arrests, and prepares investigation reports.
• Investigates traffic accidents and performs first aid. Secures and clears accident scenes. Directs traffic.
• Monitors vehicle speeds with radar, conducts criminal and driving checks and issues summons or warnings.
• Serves or participates in the service of legal papers, such as citations, subpoenas, warrants and commitment orders. Locates designated parties, explains the meaning of papers and makes arrests when necessary.
• Appears in court as a witness to give testimony.
• Attends various community functions to establish law enforcement presence. Interacts with residents as appropriate to establish and maintain positive image of Department and law enforcement activities.
• Prepares various reports and forms such as case files, offense reports, accident reports, tow sheets and cards, property vouchers and lab requests. 
• Performs other duties as required.

Education and Experience

Educational requirement is minimum high school diploma and/or GED. Preference will be given to applicants with advanced degrees and/or military service with an honorable discharge.

Police Officer Trainee must have the ability to obtain certification as a Police Officer through the Criminal Justice Education and Standards Commission of North Carolina within six (6) months of assignment to class.

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.

Tattoos and Body Modification - The department permits the display of tattoos while on duty with a few stipulations:

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

Upon completion of training, candidates will have:

• Working knowledge of modern law enforcement practices and procedures.
• Working knowledge of federal, state, and local laws pertaining to law enforcement work.
• Working knowledge of the locations of streets, roads, highways and the geography and socioeconomic characteristics of the City.
• Working knowledge of the content and purpose of legal papers and the practices involved in serving them.
• Some knowledge of the standard practices, materials, techniques, and equipment associated with the Patrol Division.
• Working knowledge of community policing philosophy and the SARA model for Community Policing.
• Ability to use firearms and other law enforcement equipment.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in emergency and routine situations and to adopt quick, effective and reasonable courses of action.
• Ability to apply interpretation of laws to specific situations.
• Ability to prepare clear and concise reports.
• Ability to present court testimony effectively.
• Ability to perform physical functions of position, including physically restraining people.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.

WORKING CONDIDTIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Majority of work is performed outside of with exposure to the elements.
• Frequent physical effort is required.