The Garner Police Department is offering a $3,000 Hiring Bonus for Police Officer candidates who desire a community-oriented law enforcement career. Police Officers are responsible for performing protective service work in the prevention, detection, and investigation of violations of the law. Officers are assigned to a patrol squad and work rotating shifts. Work is performed under the regular supervision of a Police Sergeant or Corporal. The Career Development Program offers an outstanding opportunity for professional enhancement and advancement in salary.

With tenure, training, and above-average levels of performance, officers can compete for a variety of specialized positions and promotions. They include Canine Handler, Traffic Safety Officer, School Resource Officer, Investigator, Special Response Team, Crisis Negotiator, Field Training Officer, Community Liaison, and others.

Officers are provided with state-of-the-art equipment, take-home cars (for those in compliance with Department policy), uniforms, and all related apparel.

The current starting salary for police officers is $60,927. However, salary incentives may be provided for the following credentials, as determined by the Chief of Police:

• Prior sworn law enforcement experience (2.5% per year) -- as determined by the Chief
• Specialized Skills/Experience (2%) -- as determined by the Chief
• Certified Instructor (2%)
• Military experience (2%)
• Associates (1%), Bachelors (2%), or Master's (3%) degree
• Foreign language fluency (2%)
  

The starting salary will be determined based on the selected candidate's skills and qualifications. The current hiring range is $60,927 - $76,881.

The Garner Police Department offers a robust dual career path. This program encourages professional development by providing a 5% increase with each advancement.

The steps included in the career path are as follows:
Police Officer I
Police Officer II
First Class Officer
Senior Officer

Career path salary increases would be in addition to any merit and market adjustments approved by the Town Council.

Examples of Duties:

• Patrols designated sector in assigned car; observes activity and intervenes as necessary; checks the physical security of businesses, homes, cars, etc.; gets out of car and closely inspects buildings; establishes contact with citizens for public relations;
• Enforces traffic laws; patrols or conducts stationary observation of traffic; utilizes radar to detect speed violations; stops suspicious vehicles for investigation; issues warnings, citations, and arrests for violations; uses standard field sobriety tests to determine impairment;
• Serves criminal summons, subpoenas, and warrants in assigned jurisdiction; makes arrests and transports suspects to the public safety center for processing;
• Responds to domestic violence incidences; provides assistance to reduce the risk of additional violence; conducts investigation if necessary;
• Responds to robbery calls; assesses crime scenes and calls for assistance; secures the crime scenes and interviews witnesses; apprehends suspects;
• Investigates accidents; gathers appropriate information and fills out reports; draws diagrams; charges drivers as necessary; calls wreckers, rescue personnel, utility companies as necessary;
• Conducts detailed investigation of crimes;
• Provides service to the public; advises citizens on departmental procedures and options available; Testifies in court on arrests made; presents evidence collected;
• Completes necessary reports for all actions taken and submits to lieutenant for review;
• Directs traffic as needed at traffic accidents and other incidents;
• Performs other job-related tasks as required.
  

Applicants must:

• be a US Citizen
• have a high school diploma or equivalent
• be at least 20 years of age
• possess a valid driver's license

Current status must include one of the following:

• Currently sworn as a law enforcement officer in North Carolina;

OR

• Hold a current North Carolina Law Enforcement Certification;

OR

• Prior experience as a sworn law enforcement officer in a state other than North Carolina, a branch of the United States military, or with a federal law enforcement agency;

OR

• Currently attending a North Carolina Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) program leading to certification;

OR

• Available to attend Basic Law Enforcement Training beginning in July 2026.

Additional Information:

Candidates will be expected to have: thorough knowledge of police methods, practices and procedures; general knowledge of the geography of the Town; general knowledge of departmental rules and regulations; general knowledge of Town ordinances; ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions and to prepare clear and comprehensive reports; ability to deal courteously but firmly with the public; ability to analyze situations and to adopt quick, effective and reasonable courses of action with due regard to surrounding hazards and circumstances; skill in the use of firearms and the operation of motor vehicles; and the ability to render credible testimony in a court of law.

Selected candidates will be notified and must participate in an Information Session and successfully complete a written evaluation (POST) on Monday, April 13, 2026, at 3:00 PM at the Garner Police Department. Candidates for BLET will also need to complete POPAT on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 8:00 AM (lateral transfer candidates are exempt from this step).

Candidates selected to continue will be required to participate in an oral panel interview on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, or Thursday, April 16, 2026.

The anticipated date of hire is June 29, 2026.

Candidates issued a conditional offer will be required to qualify with a Garner Police-issued handgun, submit to a background investigation, CVSA (truth verification) exam, drug screening, medical exam, psychological exam, and an interview with the Police Chief.

Training Evaluations for Out-of-State, Military, and Federal Law Enforcement Transfers

Applicants with prior experience as a sworn law enforcement officer in a state other than North Carolina, a branch of the United States military, or with a federal law enforcement agency must submit training records to the North Carolina Department of Justice to review the applicant's credentials and determine what additional training will be required during the applicant's probationary year, if hired. Submit records at https://ncdoj.gov/training-evaluations-for-out-of-state-military-and-federal-law-enforcement-transfers/.

PLEASE NOTE:

1) As part of the application process for Police Officer, you must complete the online Town of Garner application. In addition, you are required to fill out the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission Personal History Statement (Form F-3). This form is lengthy and you should allow plenty of time to complete it and have it notarized. You will also need to complete two (2) release forms. Finally, you will need to complete the "History of Prior Applications with Criminal Justice Agencies" form.

These four (4) additional documents must be received by the Garner Police Department within 7 days of initial application. Applicants may choose to attach the completed documents to their initial application to meet this deadline. Please carefully review the documents to ensure all sections are complete before submitting.

You may scan and email copies of these completed forms to Cpl. Apanovich at GPDrecruitment@garnernc.gov. Please retain the original completed forms and provide them to Cpl. Apanovich if requested.

Click Application Supplement for Police Officers or copy and paste the following URL into your web browser http://www.garnernc.gov/Home/ShowDocument?id=8195

Additional instructions for submitting these three documents and the same link to a PDF file can be found in the supplemental question section of the application. Applicants who do not fill out these forms will automatically be disqualified from consideration.

2) Conditional offers will be issued within a few days after the oral panel interview phase. Candidates who are issued a conditional offer will be required to submit the following documentation within a few days of the issuance of the conditional offer. Candidates are encouraged to begin collecting this documentation immediately. This documentation will not be returned to candidates.

• Copy of Birth Certificate, Driver's License, and Social Security Card
• Certified Criminal Records Checks from all counties you have lived in during the last 10 years. If you attended high school within those 10 years and the high school was located in a different county than your residence, you must include that county's criminal history check as well (DCI printout is not acceptable)
• Copy of your Law Enforcement Certificate
• Copies of any law enforcement training certificates (if applicable)
• Copy of full DD 214 (if applicable)
• Certified Driving History from all states in which you were issued a license in the past 10 years (DCI printout is not acceptable)
• Copy of your High School Diploma or GED
• Any other documentation you deem important as part of this process

If you have any questions, please contact Cpl. Apanovich at 919-772-8810 ext. 6983 or at GPDrecruitment@garnernc.gov.

The average length of this recruitment process is 6-8 weeks.

This position is open until Tuesday, March 24, 2026.

This position is open until filled and may close at any time.

Equal Opportunity Employer