Candidates must meet the minimum standards for Certification by law enforcement agency in North Carolina
 
• Be a citizen of the United States   
• Be at least 20 years of age   
• Be a high school graduate or have passed the General Educational Development Test indicating high school equivalency   
• Be or good moral character   
• Have successfully completed Basic Law Enforcement Training and passed he BLET state exam.   
• Satisfactorily complete the employing agency’s in-service firearms training program   

• Not have committed or been convicted of:
   
o A felony; or   
o A crime for which the punishment could have been imprisonment for more than two years; or   
o A crime or unlawful act defined as a “Class B misdemeanor” within the five-year period prior to the date of application for employment; or   
o Four or more crimes or unlawful acts defined as “Class B misdemeanors” regardless of the date of conviction; or   
o Four or more crimes or unlawful acts defined as “Class A misdemeanors” except the applicant may be employed if the last conviction occurred more than two years prior to the date of application for employment.
   
• Have been fingerprinted and a search made of local, state, and national files to disclose any criminal record.   

• Have been examined and certified by a licensed physician or surgeon to meet the physical requirements necessary to properly fulfill the officer’s particular responsibilities and shall have produced a negative result on a drug screen.
   
• Have been administered a psychological screening examination by a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist licensed to practice in North Carolina or by a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist authorized to practice in accordance with the rules and regulations of the United States Armed Forces within one year prior to employment by the employing agency to determine the officer’s mental and emotional suitability to properly fulfill the responsibilities of the position.
   
• Have been interviewed personally by the Department head or a representative to determine such things as the applicant’s appearance, demeanor, attitude, and ability to communicate.
   
• Notify the Standards Division of all criminal offenses which the officer is arrested for or charged with, pleads no contest to, pleads guilty to or is found guilty of.  This shall include all criminal offenses except minor traffic offenses and shall specifically include any offense of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) or Driving While Impaired (DWI). A minor traffic offense is defined as an offense where the maximum punishment allowable by law is 60 days or less.

• Take Home Car Program    
• On-Site Fitness Facility   
• Extra Duty Opportunities   
• Career Advancement   
• Paid salary/Paid Tuition during BLET   
• Cutting Edge Equipment   
• Leader in training opportunities   
• Chaplin Support Program   
• 11 paid holidays 
• Paid Vacation Time   
• 12 paid sick leave days per year   
• Automatic 5% 401K Employer contribution to LEO + Up to additional 5% matching contribution to 401K   
• Tuition Assistance Program   
• On-Site Wellness Clinic   
• Employee Assistance Program – 5 free visits   
• City-paid individual insurance (H.S.A.); low-cost PPO   
• Low-cost dental & vision insurance   
• 11.35% contribution per employee to the NC Local Government Retirement System   
• Free Life Insurance of 1.5 times salary up to $125,000   
• A selection of voluntary benefits such as additional life insurance, dependent life, short-term disability insurance, accident and critical illness insurance; all at very competitive rates.   
• Uniform and equipment provided 

The application process takes approximately 2-3 months to complete.  This timeline may be accelerated by the applicant completing their application materials promptly and accurately.  Hickory Police Department will perform the following screening process of applicants that meet the essential requirements for employment in the following order: 

Step 1: Candidate’s Initial Application 
Applicants complete the online application; www.hickorync.gov/employment
  
Step 2: Preliminary Screening 
All applications are screened and the most qualified candidates are identified.  Qualified applicants that are selected will be contacted for an individual interview with the recruiting sergeant.
 
Step 3: Criminal History Background Information 
Applicant’s criminal history information will be checked to ensure that disqualifying factors are not present.
 
Step 4: Oral Board 
Applicants moving to this step will be contacted to participate in an oral board interview.  This board is made up of co-workers from the Hickory Police Department. 

Step 5: Completion of F3 (Personal History Statement) 
Applicants are scheduled for the on-line PHQ (Personal History Statement).  Once the applicant completes and submits the PHQ, an appointment will be made with an HPD representative.  At that time, the applicant should bring:  driver’s license; social security card; birth certificate; HS diploma, Transcripts or GED; College diploma; DD-214 (if applicable); BLET Certificate (if applicable) and current in-service training records (if lateral applicant.) 
 
Step 6: Background Investigation 
Throughout the hiring process all background information is thoroughly investigated and documents in a written summary.  A formally trained background investigator will contact the applicant with interview times and other necessary appointment 

Step 7: Polygraph/Conditional Offer 
All applicants are required to undergo a polygraph examination.  During this appointment a conditional offer of employment may be made.
 
Step 8: Psychological 
Applicants are schedule for a psychological as required by NC Training and Standards. 

Step 9: Drug/Physical Screening 
Candidates will be given an appointment time to complete a physical and drug screening as required by NC Training and Standards.
 
Step 10: Firearms Qualification 
The applicant will undergo the NC State Mandated Firearms Qualification by an HPD Range Instructor.  

Step 11: Police Officer Physical Abilities Test (POPAT) 
Police Officer Physical Abilities Test. This is a standardized test used to assess the physical fitness of applicants seeking to become law enforcement officers in the state. The POPAT is designed to simulate the physical demands of police work and ensure that applicants possess the minimum physical capabilities required for the job. 

Step 12: Additional Information 
Applicants will be asked to complete additional City of Hickory forms at appropriate times during the background process. A ride-a-long will also be conducted with a HPD officer.  Firearms qualification will be conducted for candidates who are already sworn and not attending BLET. 

Step 13: Employment Offer Letter and Acceptance 
Applicants selected for employment during the hiring process will receive an official letter offering employment. A formal reply is required. 

Step 14: Hire Date 
Official date of hire will be established and communicated. 
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