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Hiring Range: $23.09 hourly; $50,430 annually
Anticipated hire date 1/2026

JOB SUMMARY
The Police Officer Recruit is a non-sworn position within the Police Department. The Police Officer Recruit participates in Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) and other training and administrative requirements in preparation for becoming sworn Police Officers upon successful completion of the program. Reporting to the Recruitment Sergeant, Police Recruits work under regular supervision sufficient to monitor progress and achievement of key performance indicators.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

• Attends scheduled BLET instructional sessions; learns proper police procedures and related laws and regulations.
• Participates in and completes field and practical training.
• Effects an arrest, forcibly if necessary, using handcuffs and other restraints; subdue resisting suspects using maneuvers and weapons and resort to the use of hands and feet and other approved weapons in self-defense.
• Prepares investigative and other reports, including sketches, using appropriate grammar, symbols and mathematical computations.
• Exercises independent judgment in determining when there is reasonable suspicion to detain, when probable cause exists to search and arrest, and when force may be used and to what degree.
• Operates a law enforcement vehicle during both the day and night; in emergency situations involving speeds in excess of posted limits, in congested traffic and in unsafe road conditions caused by factors such as fog, smoke, rain, ice and snow.
• Communicates effectively and coherently over law enforcement radio channels while initiating and responding to radio communications.
• Gathers information in criminal investigations by interviewing and obtaining the statements of victims, witnesses, suspects and confidential informers.
• Pursues fleeing suspects and perform rescue operations which may involve quickly entering and exiting law enforcement patrol vehicles; lifting, carrying and dragging heavy objects; climbing over and pulling up oneself over obstacles; jumping down from elevated surfaces; climbing through openings; jumping over obstacles, ditches and streams; crawling in confined areas; balancing on uneven or narrow surfaces and using body force to gain entrance through barriers.
• Loads, unloads, aims and fires from a variety of body positions handguns, shotguns and other agency firearms under conditions of stress that justify the use of deadly force and at levels of proficiency prescribed in certification standards.
• Performs searches of people, vehicles, building and large outdoor areas which may involve feeling and detecting objects, walking for long periods of time, detaining people and stopping suspicious vehicles and persons.
• Conducts visual and audio surveillance for extended periods of time.
• Engages in law enforcement patrol functions that include such things as working rotating shifts, walking on foot patrol and physically checking doors and windows of buildings to ensure they are secure.
• Effectively communicates with people, including juveniles, by giving information and directions, mediating disputes and advising of rights and processes.
• Demonstrates communication skills in court and other formal settings.
• Detects and collects evidence and substances that provide the basis of criminal offenses and infractions and that indicate the presence of dangerous conditions.
• Endures verbal and mental abuse when confronted with the hostile view and opinions of suspects and other people encountered in an antagonistic environment.
• Performs rescue functions at accidents, emergencies and disasters to include directing traffic for long periods of time, administering emergency medical aid, lifting, dragging and carrying people away from dangerous situations and securing and evacuating people from particular areas.
• Processes and transports prisoners and committed mental patients using handcuffs and other appropriate restraints.
• Puts on and operates a gas mask in situations where chemical munitions are being deployed.
• Extinguishes small fires by using a fire extinguisher and other appropriate means.
• Reads and comprehends legal and non-legal documents, including the preparation and processing of such documents as citations, affidavits and warrants.
• Processes arrested suspects to include taking their photographs and obtaining legible inked fingerprint impressions.
• Performs related duties and assignments as directed by the department.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Employees must possess the following KSAs or have the ability to acquire during a reasonable period of training.

• Knowledge of modern police practices and methods, applicable federal, state and local laws and ordinances, particularly the laws of arrest, search and investigation.
• Knowledge of the geography of the City of Kannapolis, to include transportation routes, major buildings, and residential areas; rules and directions of the Police Department and reporting procedures.
• Skill or the ability to develop skill during a reasonable period of training in the use and care of issued firearms.
• Ability to deal firmly and courteously with the public.
• Ability to analyze situations quickly and objectively, and to determine proper course of action to be taken.
• Ability to react quickly and calmly during emergency situations.
• Ability to obtain information through interviews and interrogations.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
• Ability to exercise good judgment and emotional maturity under stressful conditions.
• Ability to recognize potentially dangerous situations.
• Ability to work long hours on rotating shifts, with occasional overtime as required. Ability to maintain the confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Ability to learn law enforcement techniques and skills through classroom lecture, discussion and field exercises; operate emergency response equipment effectively and safely
• Ability to read, understand, interpret and apply policies, rules, laws and ordinances pertaining to law enforcement procedures and practice.
• Ability to act effectively in emergency and stressful situations.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees.
• Ability to type a minimum of 45 words per minute.
• Ability to deal with the public in a cordial and professional manner.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Ability to properly operate a multi-line telephone, typewriter, fax machine, computer terminal, copy machine, and calculator.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING
Must be a high school graduate or have passed the General Equivalency Development Test indicating high school equivalency.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING
A degree in criminal justice or closely related field from an accredited college or university is preferred.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Must be a U.S. Citizen and able to read, write, and speak the English language. Must be 20 years old. Successful applicants must be able to pass a thorough background investigation, medical examination, and drug screen.

JOB RELATED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY REQUIREMENTS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. If requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

This position requires the employee to exert up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and less force frequently. Physical activity related to this position may include climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions. Sufficient visual acuity is required to prepare and analyze data and figures, operate a computer terminal, visually inspect and detect small defects in equipment, use measuring devices, and do extensive reading. Specific vision abilities required by this position include: close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. This employee is subject to indoor and outdoor environmental conditions throughout the year and may be required to wear a respirator. An employee in this position could be "reasonably anticipated" as a result of performing their duties, to face contact with blood and other potentially infectious materials. An employee in this position will not be substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.