Introduction to Law Enforcement Careers in NC
North Carolina offers a diverse and robust law enforcement career landscape that is as complex and varied as the state itself. The state is home to a multitude of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, each with their own unique missions and recruitment needs. From covering hunting grounds and maintaining wildlife resources to policing the streets of Charlotte and Raleigh, the roles and responsibilities of law enforcement in North Carolina are expansive.
At the local level, sheriff’s offices and municipal police departments make up the bulk of law enforcement agencies in the state, which are responsible for a wide array of criminal activities. Moreover, North Carolina is known for having one of the most comprehensive volunteer rescue service programs in the country, with volunteers assisting in police, fire, EMT and other emergency response duties .
Being a law enforcement professional in North Carolina means joining the ranks of 83 sheriffs’ offices, 30 police departments, 553 city agencies and 650 county agencies. In the video below, a sheriff from the North Carolina County Sheriff’s Association shares why a career in local law enforcement can be so rewarding.
Other state and federal agencies such as the NC Department of Public Safety (NCDPS), a Patrol Special Agent and a Special Agent in Charge with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) weighed in on the career opportunities within their departments.
Careers in law enforcement in North Carolina are as dynamic as the counties, cities and communities they serve. For our next post, we will explore some of the prerequisites and qualifications necessary to work in the law enforcement field in North Carolina.
Law Enforcement Officer Requirements in NC
The State of North Carolina requires a high school diploma or a GED to apply. Most local agencies have similar requirements. They also require a valid driver’s license and driving record, a drug test and drug history, and passes a criminal background check. The first step in the law enforcement process is taking the exam to become a certified officer. The exam is held on certain days throughout the year. You must first complete the application to take the exam. If you pass, there is an interview process with the agency you want to be hired by. If selected, you must then complete the Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) in order to continue as a prospective officer. The BLET is typically BLET-I or BLET-S. The BLET-I is for full-time law enforcement officers and the BLET-S is for part-time law enforcement officers. Upon completion of the BLET you are required to take an assessment on your skills learned through training.
Application Process for NC Law Enforcement Careers
As previously mentioned on the blog, those looking to enter the law enforcement field in North Carolina will find there is a large number of potential entry points. However, all these paths will generally follow the same application and selection process. After an applicant submits their online application, they will typically go through three steps: testing, interview, and background investigation.
Some of these steps may vary slightly between different agencies, such as having a physical fitness test or polygraph examination, but they still remain relatively standard across jurisdictions. After a limited background check is completed, the applicant is usually given notice if they have passed the examination portion of the test. This can be anywhere from several days to a few weeks after the exam date. Once an applicant has passed, they are then contacted by the hiring authority, often a human resources representative, to schedule an interview.
The benefits of an interview cannot be overstated. An interview gives the interviewer insight into not only your qualifications for the position, but also your character as a person. It is important to avoid common pitfalls such as dressing inappropriately, avoiding eye contact, or giving incomplete answers to questions. Practicing these types of answers with friends or family is highly beneficial as it will give you a chance to hone your responses. Of course, asking your practice partners to offer constructive feedback on your performance is also very helpful. Like any other profession, a poorly conducted interview will ultimately cost you the opportunity.
Often, applicants will face multiple rounds of interviews for various departments in the same jurisdiction which will come from one application. The final interview will often be followed by a background investigation. Unfortunately, the timeline for this step can vary dramatically. Often, weeks will pass as applicants have their backgrounds checked by department personnel officers and investigators. It is important to remember that if contacted, avoid speaking with investigators without having an attorney representing your interests.
The final step in the process is polygraph examinations. These intermittent checks assist police in weed out applicants who may have something to hide. Never agree to take a polygraph without speaking to an attorney first.
Top NC Law Enforcement Agencies
In virtually every community in North Carolina there is at least one law enforcement agency responsible for maintaining public safety and enforcing the law. The largest agencies are charged with serving entire counties, while smaller agencies are responsible for cities and towns. Statewide, North Carolina is protected by state law enforcement agencies that serve the entire state.
At the top of the list of North Carolina law enforcement agencies is the NC State Highway Patrol (NCSHP), which is an agency of the NC Department of Public Safety. The functions of the NCSHP are to enforce the state’s traffic laws, investigate traffic crashes, and provide support to local law enforcement agencies, among other tasks. The organization has 1,862 sworn officers. Sworn personnel are those individuals who have completed police academy training and have been certified by the NC Criminal Justice Training and Standards Commission or another regulatory body.
The NCSHP works in partnership with municipal and county law enforcement agencies throughout the state. Municipal departments are those law enforcement agencies serving cities and towns. Each local municipality employs its own officers and investigators. Some municipal departments are small and employ less than ten officers, while others may have a force numbering in the hundreds. Although each department is typically command-led by a chief of police, some departments have divisions and districts.
County law enforcement agencies are called sheriff offices. A sheriff’s office also provides law enforcement services to an entire county, but each sheriff is an elected position. A sheriff’s officers may also have concern over non-law enforcement activities, including the operation of a jail. Sheriff’s departments can be found in rural and urban counties, and the size of each department varies accordingly with the needs of the community.
There are other law enforcement agencies also serving citizens in North Carolina. The Department of Public Safety maintains a number of law enforcement agencies, including: Alcohol Law Enforcement, Campus Police, Community Corrections, Crime Control Criminal Investigation, Emergency Management, Law Enforcement Support Services, Probation and Parole, Alcohol Law Enforcement, Emergency Management, and the Highway Patrol.
Training for Law Enforcement in NC
At its core, law enforcement training is about learning the law and how to enforce or prosecute it. But there’s so much more to investigating and prosecuting criminal activity. If you want to be on the frontlines of North Carolina law enforcement, you need to have certain skills.
Academy Programs
The North Carolina Justice Academy (formerly the North Carolina Department of Justice) in Salemburg provides a series of training programs for law enforcement officers. Novice officers complete the Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) program.
During the program, they learn about local, state, and federal law, and how to enforce each. They also complete training in forensic procedures including interview and interrogation techniques.
While the BLET program lasts 13 weeks on average, it can take longer if offered outside the administration’s traditional training cycles. Training typically occurs in the spring and fall each year.
Novice officers from Southern Pines typically complete the BLET training program in six months to one year.
At the Community College Level
Some local colleges offer law enforcement training as well. Central Carolina Community College in Sanford offers BLET training through its Workforce Development Division. The division also offers a Basic Corrections Officer Course (BCO).
The BCO covers basic correction procedures for managing inmates in local detention facilities. Additionally, the CCCC Workforce Development Division offers Law Enforcement In-Service Training courses. These courses are for officers who need to fulfill annual retraining requirements.
At the Federal Level
Federal law enforcement officers complete training at one of several training academies in the United States. The U.S. Federal Law Enforcement Training Center Academy is in Glynco, GA near Brunswick.
The academy is only open to individuals who’ve already landed a job with a federal agency. Unlike facility academies, the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center Academy is the largest of its kind with 13 campuses across the country.
The academy covers all branches and types of federal law enforcement. Training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center Academy lasts between three and six months. Typically, officers spend about five months in training.
Certification Requirements
All prospective law enforcement officers must pass several certification tests. The North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission is responsible for these tests. The Commission is part of the NC Department of Justice.
The Commission publishes certification standards in its Fundamentals of Criminal Investigation and Forensic Science. The document explains basic accreditation procedures for law enforcement in North Carolina.
If you want to become a detective, you’ll need to take an additional exam to obtain specialty certification. Detective certifications are available for general investigations and homicide. To date, the state has not introduced specialty certifications for any other crime categories.
Other Forms of Training
Many organizations offer training to experienced law enforcement officers. For example, if you already work as a law enforcement officer, the North Carolina Judicial Branch offers a Search and Seizure class. Offered in Sanford in February and June, this four-day session focuses on the intricacies of executing a search warrant. The Judicial Branch offers this training multiple times per year.
The Governor’s Crime Commission (GCC) doesn’t offer training directly, but it does offer grants for law enforcement training and equipment. It awards these grants to support training efforts.
The GCC also offers scholarships for criminal justice students in a joint effort with the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission.
Advancement Opportunities in NC Law Enforcement
Promotion eligibility and assignment opportunities depend almost exclusively on an officer’s performance. Law enforcement agencies promote officers on their merit or "rank" list. Officers receive a score based on several factors and those with the highest scores are eligible for promotion. Most agencies consider the following for promotion eligibility in order: Law enforcement agencies test for promotion at the Corporal , Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain and Major levels. Other advancement opportunities for officers exist, as some agencies have numerous specialized units, such as patrol squads, vice squads and drug units. Officers might also apply to lateral transfer to another agency or be recruited by other law enforcement agencies because they are highly qualified applicants.
Salary and Benefits for Law Enforcement Officers in NC
Salary depends on rank and tenure. Officers who are in training earn $39,873.62 and graduating officers earn $40,860.45. Both initial salaries are set to increase at 2.5 percent in 2014, and they increase with tenure and promotions. Patrol sergeants start at $48,709.04, while patrol lieutenant’s initial salaries begin at $51,996.95. Captains in the patrol division make $66,338.36, and Major’s beginning salaries are $84,918.63. Captains and major are allowed a uniform allowance of $1,200 and are also given a city vehicle and gas card. Officers also receive a longevity pay increase for each year they have worked for the department. Officers receive a health insurance plan and receive an additional one percent of salary added to their pay for opt-out bonuses if they have insurance from another source. Patrol employees are guaranteed a minimum salary for working certain shifts, whether or not they are called into work, earning them an average of $2,000-$3,000 extra per year. They receive 96 hours of vacation pay and can take training time and seven holidays with pay. There are additional plans for police retirement and any employee that has served more than 20 years receives 65 percent of pre-retirement salary. Officers can retire as early as 50 with 20 years of service and purchase a retirement program that allows them to purchase service time at half price and are eligible for a 5 percent longevity increase every five years. Layoffs are rare for law enforcement because they are considered essential workers and are exempt from other cuts "to essential workers in the department (of public safety)," according to the State Budget Act Civilian Workforce Reduction Policy. Analysts point out that the state has received more pay increases than the private sector over the past few years. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the highest paid officers in North Carolina earn around $58,000.
Rewards and Challenges of NC Law Enforcement Careers
The challenges that law enforcement officers face across the nation are no different from what they face here in North Carolina. Yet, despite the obstacles and risks associated with the job, most people would agree that there’s no other profession quite like law enforcement. In order to be successful, an officer must have the wisdom to make sound decisions in less than a second, the courage to be a protector of life, and the communication skills to reach and teach citizens in moments of crises. Caring and conflict resolution stalk their thoughts as officers prepare for each new day.
Although there are many rewarding aspects of law enforcement, even the most seasoned officers are often caught off guard. Perhaps their military service has prepared them for many situations they face on the job, but hearing the screams of a mother after the loss of her child in a domestic violence incident can haunt even the most experienced officer. Or, witnessing the homeless family who is relieved to receive an officer’s help and warm clothes on a freezing night, never quite leaves some officers’ minds either. Such experiences challenge the emotions of those who devote their lives to serving the greater good and protecting others so that we may feel safe in our communities.
Many officers have seen the heroism and caring quiet acts of ordinary citizens when a terrible event unfolds. Such acts of courage make their jobs worthwhile. Officers report that when their efforts reach the young people who aspire to obtain educational goals or even for the adult who decides to go back to school in hopes of a better job, they feel fulfilled in their role of serving as community leaders and mentors. Officers will also tell you that seeing the face of a grateful victim who now feels secure because of your willingness to help makes the job rewarding. Maybe it’s the stolen property that is returned to the elderly citizen or the children who are reunited with their families, and even finding the missing people who thought they might never be found or came back on their own. These are a few of the most common answers offered by NC officers when asked if their jobs are rewarding.
The fact that officers are called upon to educate communities is not lost on the officers of today. Many officers advocate for career education as a means to fight crime and keep us safe. There’s evidence of this in legislation across the state, from New Bern to Clay County, where officers have traveled to elementary schools on "career day" or attended college, vocational and trade fairs. Today, as there is a nation-wide perception that our youth are rapidly going in the wrong direction, it seems officers throughout our state continue to show their care and concern for the communities they serve.
Resources for NC Law Enforcement Applicants
The path to becoming a law enforcement officer in North Carolina requires more than just meeting the minimum standards set by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Training and Standards Council. The standards mandated by the Council are the last step in the lengthy and arduous process of being hired by a local law enforcement agency in North Carolina. If you are considering this career, there are numerous resources available to assist you every step of the way.
The largest and longest-established organization for law enforcement officers in North Carolina is the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP). This organization was founded in 1915 in the U.S., and today has over 2,100 lodges in North America, with a total membership exceeding 322,000. The North Carolina State Lodge was chartered in October of 1967 and is comprised of 98 local lodges throughout the state. The members of these lodges represent approximately 21,000 sworn and retired law enforcement officers, their families, and supporters.
The FOP actively works to support and protect its members, including providing legal defense coverage, critical incident stress debriefing, and other protective services. In addition, many of the lodges offer discounts for a variety of services and products that may be of interest to the membership. The FOP also provides national representation in a wide variety of areas, both politically and socially, including firsthand accounts of the issues affecting law enforcement in the news.
For those of you interested in law enforcement salaries in North Carolina, the North Carolina League of Municipalities publishes wage information on police officers from cities across the state, which can be found in its "Fact Book . "
North Carolina offers a wide variety of training resources to those wishing to enter the fields of law enforcement, and related security services as well. The NC Department of Justice is responsible for a large portion of the training of law enforcement personnel. The Special Law Enforcement Officer II (SLEO II) certification course is offered as a 104 hour basic training course for those wishing to work as private security guards in North Carolina. An individual completing the course will be issued a SLEO II certificate, which is also a prerequisite for obtaining any law enforcement certification with the North Carolina Justice Academy.
The Topics included in the SLEO II training course include a variety of general topics such as criminal and constitutional law, report writing, physical fitness, firearms, and power of arrest. The course is available on a rolling basis, and can be taken at any of the Branch offices of the Justice Academy. A pre-test is required prior to beginning the course, and all individuals must complete a form and register for the class.
The North Carolina Justice Academy also offers a number of different certifications, many of which are available for civilian police officers. Certifications include Crime Scene Investigation, Firearms Instructor, Field Training Officer, K-9 Handler, and Victim and Witness Services. There are many other interesting certifications available as well, depending on your own particular area of interest.
As one can see, the path to a career in law enforcement in North Carolina is a long but rewarding process, and there is no shortage of resources available to help aspiring officers along the way.