What are the requirements to become a police officer in North Carolina?
For information on North Carolina BLET programs and requirements to become a certified law enforcement officer, please visit the North Carolina Department of Justice website.
What are the training requirements to become an Emergency Communications Officer?
Emergency Communications Officer Trainees must complete a 16-week, in-house field training program. Field training consists of three phases where trainees will be assigned to Police Field Operations, Cary Emergency Medical Services and the Cary Fire Department. ECO trainees will receive several certifications, and are required to obtain their Basic Emergency Communications Officer Certification within the first year of employment.
What is the size of your department?
The department has 198 sworn police officers who are supported by 27 emergency communications officers and a civilian staff of 20 team members.
What types of shifts do officers work?
Patrol consists of four teams that work a 12 hour shift called a Modified Dupont Schedule. This schedule gives each patrol officer a three day weekend, every other weekend- See the example graph below.
Patrol Teams are permanently assigned to either a day or night shift. Patrol Teams have an opportunity to submit for a new shift annually.
*Night shift teams receive a shift differential bonus which is paid quarterly.
The work schedule for specialty assignments varies based on the position.
Are there any residency requirements?
The Cary Police Department does not require anyone to live within the Town limits, however, officers who wish to participate in the Take Home Vehicle Program are required to live within 30 linear miles of the police department. The Chief of Police may grant a waiver to the mileage requirement.
Do you accept out-of-state transfers?
Applicants outside of North Carolina will be evaluated based on their training and experience. At a minimum, out-of-state candidates must have completed a Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) course accredited by the state from which they are transferring and two years of full-time, sworn law enforcement experience. Out-of-state applicants cannot have a break in service exceeding one year. You will also be required to submit a detailed academy syllabus listing topics and hours from the time you attended BLET. Those topics and hours are entered into a matrix which will be compared to North Carolina standards.
Prior to employment as a certified law enforcement officer in North Carolina, out-of-state applicants must successfully complete the employing agency's in-service firearms training and qualification program. They must also complete the Legal Unit (minimum of 98 hours) of the Commission-Accredited BLET and any additional training as mandated by Training & Standards. The applicant must then successfully pass the entire state comprehensive examination within their 12-month probationary period.
If an applicant applied during a previous recruitment, can that application packet be used for the current recruitment?
No. The Department requires that a new application packet be completed to ensure all pertinent information is included and up-to-date.
What is the probationary period for new employees?
North Carolina State law requires a one-year probationary period for all new police officers. The probationary period for new emergency communication officers and professional staff (non-sworn positions) is also one-year.
Does the Cary Police Department have a Take Home Vehicle Program?
Yes, the Cary Police Department does have a Take Home Vehicle Program. Officers who wish to participate in the Take Home Vehicle Program are required to live within 35 linear miles of the police department. The Chief of Police may grant a waiver to the mileage requirement.
What is your policy regarding tattoos?
General Order 2.07 states: “Body piercings and tattoos may not be visible to the public while on duty. Tattoos are defined as any tattoo, scar, branding, mark, or other permanent or temporary body art or modification deliberately placed on the body for purposes of decoration, ornamentation, or adornment. All offensive and/or inappropriate tattoos are strictly prohibited. Offensive and inappropriate tattoos are defined as those which depicts gang related images, racially inappropriate images, sexually suggestive or explicit images, or if the image depicts, describes or refers to intolerance of, or discrimination against any race, color, preference, creed, religion, gender, national origin, sexual orientation or, it is commonly associated with any organization or group which advocates such intolerance or discrimination. Tattoos on the face, neck and hands or any location which cannot be concealed by the proper wearing of the issued long sleeve uniform is prohibited. Officers who currently have visible tattoo(s) are required to have their tattoos covered at all times while on duty. The method of concealment of tattoos while on duty will be through the wearing of the long sleeve uniform shirt.”
What documents are required for the application process?
As part of the background investigation, applicants for most positions will be required to submit the following information for review:
- Copy of Birth Certificate
- Credit Report
- Certified Criminal Records Checks from all counties in which candidate lived in the last 10 years. If candidate attended high school within those 10 years and the high school was located in a different county than candidate's residence, must include that county's criminal history check as well.
- Certified Driving History from all states in which candidate has lived in the past 10 years.
- Copy of High School Diploma or GED
- Copy of College Diploma or transcript if not graduated (if applicable)
- Copy of BLET Certificate Of Graduation (if applicable)
- Copy of Law Enforcement Certificate (if applicable)
- Copy of full DD 214 (if applicable)
Out-of-state applicants who are certified law enforcement officers must also submit an official curriculum from their basic law enforcement training academy which includes a topical and hourly breakdown of the training received.
Please follow the links below for information on how to obtain your credit report and certified copies from the North Carolina Department of Transportation and North Carolina courts.
Credit Report Information
NC DOT Certified Driving Records Request
North Carolina Department of Justice
