Police Trainee Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $23.38 Hourly
Location : Asheville, NC
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 2026-01840
Department: Asheville Police Department
Division: Patrol
Opening Date: 05/15/2026
Closing Date: 11/15/2026 5:00 PM Eastern
Summary
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 the 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:

• Initial Review
• Entrance Exam & Fitness Assessment (Modified POPAT Exam)
• Panel Interview & 1:1 Interview
• Conditional Offer/Drug Screen/Health Assessment*
• Background Investigation
• Polygraph
• Psychological Evaluation
• 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. Visit the Police Department website for more information on the hiring and selection process:
https://www.ashevillenc.gov/service/city-job-opportunities-police-department/
Employee Benefits and Position Information: Starting basic salary for Police Cadets/Trainees is $47,915.10. Upon completion of the academy and obtaining certification from the state, the salary will increase to $50,309.74.
Career Ladder and Salary Ranges:

• Police Trainee: $47,915.10
• Police Officer: $50,309.74 - $75,464.74
• Senior Police Officer I / Detective I: $52,825.23 - $79,237.86
• Senior Police Officer II / Detective II: Police Detective: $55,466.58 - $83,199.74
• Master Police Officer I / Master Police Officer I: $58,239.74 - $87,359.74
• Master Police Officer II / Master Police Officer II: $61,152.00 - $91,727.74

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).
$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). 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 on Ashevillebenefits.com
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Attends training sessions as required to gain skills and knowledge regarding department operations, job performance, and policies, procedures, codes, and criminal/civil case law; reads professional literature and training materials; completes tests and skills assessments; and obtains and maintains professional certifications.
Enforces all applicable codes, ordinances, laws, and regulations (both traffic and criminal) to protect life and property, prevent crime, and promote security.
Detects and deters criminal activity and traffic violations: patrols designated areas; responds to calls relayed by dispatchers; writes citations; apprehends, arrests, and processes criminals, fugitives, and offenders as appropriate; and provides assistance and backup support to other officers and agencies, as necessary.
Conducts preliminary investigations: interviews victims, complainants, and witnesses and takes statements; gathers information and evidence; secures crime scenes; prepares investigative reports and sketches; participates in court activities; and testifies in judicial proceedings.
Performs rescue functions at accidents, emergencies, and disasters, which may include lifting, dragging, or carrying people away from dangerous situations, securing/evacuating people, administering first aid, or extinguishing small fires.
Performs other law enforcement duties, including monitoring and responding to calls for assistance, investigating accidents and reported crimes, interviewing citizens, conducting searches, pursuing fleeing and subduing resisting suspects, making arrests, and processing and transporting prisoners.
Follows safety procedures, utilizes safety equipment, and monitors work environment to ensure safety of employees and other individuals: performs driving functions in a safe and efficient manner under various conditions, including day/night hours, in congested traffic, in adverse weather conditions, and in emergency situations involving speeds in excess of posted limits; and inspects and maintains assigned police vehicle, uniform, weapons, and equipment.
Attends shift meetings, training sessions, and seminars as required to remain knowledgeable of departmental operations, to promote improved job performance, and to stay current with changing policies, procedures, codes, and criminal/civil case law: reads professional literature; and maintains professional affiliations.
Operates or uses various equipment associated with law enforcement to complete work assignments; operates and maintains police vehicle, firearms, electronic control device, emergency equipment, radio/communications equipment, and other law enforcement tools and equipment.
Communicates with supervisor, other City employees, the public, outside agencies and organizations, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems.
Processes a variety of documentation associated with department/division operations, within designated time frames and per established procedures: receives, reviews, prepares, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate various forms, reports, correspondence, citations, incident and accident reports, time sheets, and other documentation; compiles data for further processing or for use in preparation of department reports; and maintains computerized and/or hard copy records.
Operates a personal computer to enter, retrieve, review, or modify data, utilizing word processing, database, Internet, e-mail, or other software; and operates general office or other equipment as necessary to complete essential functions.
Education and Experience
Educational requirement is a 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 the 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, or scalp. 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 that 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 the position, including physically restraining people.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

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

Some positions may require a fingerprint-based SBI background check after a conditional offer and before your start date; HR will provide instructions if applicable.
For benefits-eligible positions, explore our full benefits at AshevilleBenefits.com.
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 by its diversity.
The City's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment. Applicants will be assured of fair t