Police Cadet

City of Asheville
Asheville, North Carolina 28814 United States  View Map
Posted: Jun 06, 2026
  • Full Time
  • Public Safety
  • Summary

    Asheville Police Department Law Enforcement Career 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 am6 pm, 7 am-7 pm, or 6 pm-6 am, 7 pm7 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:

    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). 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). 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

  • Job Description

    Asheville Police Department Law Enforcement Career 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 am6 pm, 7 am-7 pm, or 6 pm-6 am, 7 pm7 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:

    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). 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). 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

  • ABOUT THE COMPANY

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Please mention you found this employment opportunity on the CareersInGovernment.com Job Board.