Police Cadet #2111-310000-01

The City of Charlotte is the largest municipality in North Carolina and the 17th largest city in the United States, with a total population of more than 872,498 citizens. A major commerce center, Charlotte hosts several of the nation’s largest banks and technology companies.

Also known as the Queen City, Charlotte is home to the Carolina Panthers, the Charlotte Hornets and the NASCAR Hall of Fame. We work hard to ensure that the community will be a winning city for everyone – a truly remarkable place to live, work, learn and play. Join us in helping to keep our City thriving, ensuring upward mobility and advancement in the workplace.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) Cadet program will provide an opportunity for qualified students actively enrolled in a college or university as full-time students. Cadets are allowed to work in a professional law enforcement environment while gaining hands-on learning experience. The program will enable cadets to see how the department and police officers serve the citizens of the community. The program aims to ensure that Cadets become more well-rounded and prepared for future employment as Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officers.    

The College Cadet program can last up to four (4) years and is funded by a federal grant. The program objective is to enhance the participating student's knowledge of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and all operational aspects so that when the participant turns 21, they may enter a career as a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officer.  

 Each cadet will learn how vital Community Collaboration, Crime Management, Professional Accountability, and Employee Wellness are to the program. These core four values will help each cadet develop the necessary skills to make them the type of police officer the department needs to succeed in its mission to prevent the next crime.  

• Must be able to work in a law enforcement environment that may include working rotating shifts and weekends.    
• Requirements include participation in weekly Cadet physical fitness sessions.  
• Must be able to wear a uniform and adhere to the department's grooming standards.   
• Must be able to complete the Job-Related Physical Abilities Test (JRPAT) upon entry into the program and on a bi-annual basis.    
•  Effectively communicate with citizens in the community regardless of their race, gender, or religious beliefs. Must be able to demonstrate communication skills in a formal setting.    
• Must be able to work with our community partners, citizens, and department employees.    
• Cadets will work with city agencies to improve problem-solving efforts.  
• Work alongside CMPD employees with our ongoing efforts regarding community collaboration and mentoring.   
• Take an active role in CMPD youth programs as a mentor.  
• Attend court with an officer (District and Superior Court).    
• Cadets will actively participate in activities that provide exposure to various aspects of police work, including ride-a-longs and attending court.  
• Must have the ability to direct traffic, stand for extended periods on your feet, and lift 40lbs or more.   
• Cadets will perform routine office duties, such as answering phones, filing, scheduling, data entry, etc.

ADA and Other Requirements

 Positions in this class typically require grasping, stooping, squatting, kneeling, crouching, reaching, pushing, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions.

Physical Requirements: 

Remaining in a stationary position, often sitting or standing for prolonged periods

Occasional movement throughout the workday daily to interact with staff and accomplish tasks

Communicating both verbally and written in order to exchange information

Repeating motions of holding, grasping, turning, that may include the wrist, hands, and/or fingers

Light to moderate lifting and carrying

Lift up to 50 pounds  

Work primarily in office environment

Ability to operate office equipment, such as computer, copier, fax machine, and phone

Sensory Requirements:

Concentrated and attentive use of one or more senses (visual, audio, and other sensory modalities) for proof reading, data entry, tabulating data

Ability to operate in an environment with frequent interruptions from people and or noises, which in return could result in some level of stress, fatigue, or strain 

Comprehension of written information in work related documents

Ability to hear, understand, and distinguish speech  

Working Conditions:

Exposure to environmental factors poses a limited risk of minor injury or illness. Moderate exposure to environmental conditions (such as officers, community members, victims, etc.); and frequent exposure to computer screens, files and phone. 

• Be enrolled in an accredited college or university. 
• Must be a US Citizen.  
• Be between 17 years and 24 years of age.  
• Be a High School Graduate or have earned a GED.  
• Because the employment will be year-round, candidates must live within a 45-mile radius of the CMPD Central Headquarters Building. Cadets must maintain this residency requirement throughout employment.  
• Be able to commit twenty-eight (28) hours per week.  
• Have a valid driver's license and driving history that meets the city and department's standards.    
• Actively enrolled in a college or university as a full-time student (taking a minimum of 12 semester credit hours).  
• Must maintain a minimum of 2.0 ("C") average per grading period.   Participate in the Job-Related Physical Ability Test (JRPAT).     
• Has not committed or been convicted of any felony or serious misdemeanors.  
• Pass an extensive background investigation, including a polygraph examination, medical screening, and drug screening.

The City’s Background Check Policy requires background checks to be conducted on final internal or external candidate(s) applying for any position with the City of Charlotte. The type of information that will be collected as part of a background check includes, but is not limited to: reference checks, social security verification, education verification, criminal conviction record check, and, if applicable, a credit history check, sex offender registry and motor vehicle records check.

Background checks must be in compliance with all federal and state statutes, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The checks must be consistent with the guidelines set forth by these laws requiring organizations to obtain a candidate’s written authorization before obtaining a criminal background report, motor vehicle records check or credit report; and to properly store and dispose of information derived from such reports.

Final candidates must pass a pre-employment drug-screening test and physical examination. During the selection process, candidates may be asked to take a skills test, and/or participate in other assessments.

The City of Charlotte is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Apply online.

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job.

You are welcome to visit the City of Charlotte Human Resources Department lobby where we have workstations available. Our office is located at 700 East 4th Street, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28202. Our hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (EST), excluding official City holidays.

Anyone seeking an accommodation to apply for a job may call (704) 336-2285 for assistance or you may email questions to CityHrJobPostingsNotify@ci.charlotte.nc.us.

The City of Charlotte provides a comprehensive benefits package to all employees.

Click here to learn more about the City of Charlotte’s benefits.

The City of Charlotte is a drug and alcohol-free workplace.