Police

Work. Serve. Thrive. With the City of Durham Advance in your career while making a real difference in the community you serve. Our internationally accredited Durham Police Department is dedicated to hiring and training officers and staff who represent the best the law enforcement profession has to offer. We are a progressive agency committed to reducing crime by providing the best quality service.

We work to foster public confidence and maintain the highest standards of excellence as a community partner for positive change. If you're interested in delivering superior emergency response services and working collaboratively to serve our community, join our team in Durham!

This posting is for the academy beginning in Fall of 2026. The purpose of this training position is to respond to citizen calls for service, provide a police presence in the community to encourage citizens to feel safe, conduct law enforcement activities and operations, and investigate crimes. This is accomplished by utilizing communications equipment, employing chemical and biological protective equipment, conducting police tactical movements, conducting security operations, conducting prisoner operations, conducting traffic operations, completing documentation, navigating streets, conducting investigations, and utilizing police equipment and weapons systems.

Prior to certification, work involves Basic Law Enforcement Training, followed by field training.

• Conducts traffic operations by enforcing North Carolina traffic laws, performing routine and high risk traffic stops, searching vehicles, investigating traffic accidents, removing vehicles and debris, directing traffic, and engaging in vehicle pursuits. Conducts investigations by completing police documentation for reportable crimes and traffic accidents, interviewing and interrogating subjects, utilizing knowledge of search and seizure laws, swearing out warrants and arrests, and protecting crime scenes.
• Performs prisoner operations by conducting searches, handcuffing prisoners, transporting prisoners, and processing prisoners at police station. Utilizes communication systems by using mobile and portable radios, and making telephone calls for reports and follow ups.
• Conducts tactical police operations by serving as a member of search team; conducting searches of buildings, outside areas, and vehicles; and patrolling areas in vehicles and on foot.
• Performs administrative duties by completing paperwork, documenting activities and actions, coordinating media relations, serving on committees, maintaining equipment and vehicle, and assisting in coordinating special events.

• Knowledge of a specific vocational, administrative, or technical nature obtainable with six months to one year of advanced study or training past high school; likely sources include state-accredited community colleges, vocational, business, technical, or correspondence schools.
• Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET).
• Valid, unrestricted North Carolina driver’s license, or willingness to obtain NC license within 60 days of hire if holding another state license.
• Completion of high school or equivalency (some college preferred); certified transcripts required from both high school and college.
• Age 20 or older upon completion of classroom training.
• Must meet vision, hearing, and other physical requirements.
• No felony convictions; no serious misdemeanor convictions in the past five years.
• No domestic violence convictions (Federal Law).
• No DUI/DWI convictions in the last five years.
• Valid driver’s license required; no significant suspension or excessive moving violations in specified time frames.
• No illegal drug use in the past 12 months.
• Pass an entry level written examination and physical test.
• Pass an extensive background investigation, credit check, criminal history check, drug screen, psychological examination, medical examination, and polygraph examination.
• Military personnel must have an honorable discharge.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or naturalized citizen.

The Durham Police Department has reinstated its $10,000 hiring incentive for all recruits who successfully complete the Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) academy and all three phases of field training. Educational Incentive Bonus:
Candidates with an associate degree receive 2.5% above base pay; those with a bachelor’s degree or higher receive 5% above base pay. Documentation confirming degree conferred must be submitted to DPD Employee Services. The incentive activates upon promotion to Police Officer.

This position is classified as Group 1 (Critical to emergency operations, will report to work in spite of or because of an emergency or disaster event). This Agency seeks diversity in the workplace.

This posting is for the academy beginning February 2026.