The following information applies specifically to applicants for positions as Police Officer
only.
Step 1:
Police Officer On-Line Application - This application is available at
www.ci.jacksonville.nc.us; click on Residents, Employment. After the application is reviewed by the City of Jacksonville Human Resources Department it will be forwarded to the Jacksonville Police Department Standards Division. Certified sworn officers or applicants who have completed the Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) and have an active certification will complete the Police Officer I application. All other Police Officer applicants will complete the Police Officer Trainee application. Applicants will also be required to submit the North Carolina Personal History Statement form (F-3) to the City of Jacksonville Human Resources Department.
Step 2:
Human Resource Testing - After the review of the application the Human Resources Department will schedule the applicant for two phases of testing. The first phase of testing will include two (2) written tests in which the applicant must receive an average score of at least 70% to continue the hiring process. The second phase of testing will be a typing test in which the applicant will be required to type twenty-two (22) words a minute (net).
Step 3:
Physical Abilities Test (POPAT modified) -
This assessment is required for all Police Officer Trainee applicants who do not hold a current sworn law enforcement status or who do not possess a current BLET certificate and have successfully completed steps 1-3. Applicants must read and sign an agreement waiver to participate in this assessment. Applicants will be given three (3) attempts to pass the test. The test is outlined as follows:
Task Description
1. Exit vehicle and advance 200 yards on foot
2. Remove 150 lb. victim from vehicle and body drag 50 feet
3. Scale staircase (up and down) 3 times while touching all steps
4. Advance 25 feet to negotiate 50 pound "body force" door
5. Complete 16 push-ups and 16 sit-ups (in that order)
6. Return 25 feet to scale staircase (up and down) 3 times while touching all steps
7. Advance 25 feet to 40 foot culvert and crawl completely through
8. Complete 16 push-ups and 16 sit-ups (in that order)
9. Advance 200 yards on foot
10. Body drag standing victim 50 feet
11. Recite two (2) street names provided (Applicants who fail to recite the street names precisely in the order given, must advance on foot from stairs to original 100 yard orange cone or marker using the most direct route and return to stairs before instructors can stop time).
This course must be completed in 8:48. This course is a modified Police Officer Physical Abilities Test (POPAT). Before graduation from BLET, each applicant must complete this course with a total time of no more than 7:20.
Step 4:
Oral Interview - The oral interview is a more formal, in-depth question and answer session conducted by a select panel of police personnel Interviews will be scheduled based upon the needs of the agency and the overall qualifications of the applicant.
Step 5:
On-line Assessment - Applicants who have successfully completed steps 1-4 will be required to complete an on-line assessment tool designed to assist the agency in determining suitability of an applicant and to assist the investigators in Step 6. This assessment can be completed from the applicant's residence via the computer.
Step 6:
Background Investigation - Applicants who successfully complete steps 1-5 will be entered into a pool of applicants who are eligible for background investigation. If you are selected, the Detective who is assigned to your application packet will call you at the beginning of the investigation in order to schedule the applicant for a background investigation interview. Applicants will be required to be fingerprinted and photographed.
Step 7:
Truth Verification - As part of the selection process, applicants who successfully complete steps 1-6 are required to submit to a truth verification process. This technique will utilize a Polygraph instrument. The Polygraph measures specific physiological changes in the body and records that data. The physiological changes are generated by the applicant based on the applicant's reaction to test questions during the polygraph examination. By examining those changes, the examiner is able to determine the truthfulness of the applicant and their suitability to be a law enforcement officer. For the purpose of this examination, certain physiological reactions to specific stimuli used during the polygraph examination will equate to deception and may disqualify an applicant in the employment process. Areas that will be scrutinized will include the following: undisclosed traffic and criminal law violations(s), undisclosed illegal drug involvement, and general truthfulness.
Step 8:
Command Staff Interview - Applicants who successfully complete steps 1-7 will appear before an interview panel staffed by the Deputy Chief's of the agency. The interview will consist of further in depth questions to determine the applicant's suitability for employment with the Jacksonville Police Department.
Steps 9 - 11 are completed after a Conditional Job Offer has been given
Step 9:
Psychological Exam, Medical Exam, and Drug Screening - Those applicants who are given a conditional offer of employment following steps 1-8 must successfully complete a psychological exam, medical exam, and drug screening, These exams are scheduled and paid for by the Police Department.
Step 10: (This step is only required for non-sworn applicants that do not possess a valid BLET certificate or out of state officers)
Basic Law Enforcement Training (Police Officer Trainees) - Applicants who have successfully completed steps 1-9 and are not a sworn law enforcement officer and do not have a current BLET certificate will be required to attend the BLET program located at Coastal Carolina Community College. This training requires considerable home study and physical exercise on a daily basis.
Basic Law Enforcement Training (Out of State Officers) - The State of North Carolina will evaluate out of state transferees to determine the amount and quality of their training and experience At a minimum, out of state applicants must have two (2) years of full-time, sworn law enforcement experience and have successfully completed a basic law enforcement training course accredited by the state from which they are transferring in order to be considered for transfer to a North Carolina law enforcement agency. Out of state transferees cannot have a break in service exceeding one year. Out of state applicants, if selected, will be required to complete the Legal Unit (minimum of 96 hours) of the Commission accredited BLET and successfully pass the entire state comprehensive examination within their 12-month probationary period. Applicants that have completed training as a federal law enforcement officer or a military police officer will be required to complete the BLET course in its entirety and successfully pass the state comprehensive examination prior to employment.
Step 11:
Final Applicant Review Interview - This is a formal interview with the Chief of Police or his designee in which the applicant will receive a final evaluation to determine their suitability for the position.