Police Department - Employment

The Smithfield Police Department is located in the eastern part of the Research Triangle Area of North Carolina. Smithfield is a growing community with a population of approximately 12,000. The Department's 38 full time sworn and 4 full-time civilian employees service an area of about 12 square miles. This agency actively participates in community oriented policing and strives to recruit and hire individuals who will be dedicated to making Smithfield a better place to live and work.

The Smithfield Police Department, in conjunction with the Town of Smithfield Human Resources Department, advertises and actively recruits all sworn vacancies. The starting salary is currently $30,230.72 with a 5% raise after the successful completion of a six-month probationary period. Merit raises are available subject to Council approval of funding. In addition, the department offers a Career Ladder program that allows the officer to advance to Police Officer II and Master Police Officer. There is a 5% increase associated with each of these advancements. Officers with at least 5 years of previous law enforcement experience can accelerate through this program.

Applications are accepted for the position of police officer when vacancies occur. During periods when applications are not being taken the Department will send Interest Cards to a potential applicant. The applicant can fill out this card, return it to the Department and the applicant will be notified when applications are being accepted. Interest cards can be obtained by calling or writing:

Christine Dunn
Administrative Assistant to the Chief
110 S. 5th St.
Smithfield, NC, 27577
919-989-1074

Applications for Employment can be obtained from:

Town of Smithfield Human Resources Department
350 East Market Street, PO Box 761
Smithfield, NC 27577
919-934-2116

Applicants for all positions within the Smithfield Police Department, with the exception of the Chief of Police, will proceed through the selection process listed below:

1. Receipt of application.
2. Personnel Department prescreening of applicants.
3. Minimum requirements for employment to include the meeting of all minimum standards for criminal justice officers as established by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Training and Standards Commission which are: - US Citizen - Minimum age of 20 * - Successful completion of a background investigation, fingerprint check, physical, drug test, and psychological evaluation, high school diploma or GED, employment stability, and the ability to work rotating 12-hour shifts.
4. Interview with the Chief of Police.

The State of North Carolina requires sworn police officers to be certified with approximately a 600 hour "Basic Law Enforcement Training" program prior to service. Out-of-state officers are required to take re-certification training, which is approximately 80 hours. For more information concerning law enforcement certification in North Carolina please contact the NC Training and Standards Commission.

For more information concerning employment with the Smithfield Police Department, please contact Christine Dunn, Administrative Assistant to the Chief, at 919-989-1074.