Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to many of the Greensboro Police Department's frequently asked questions are shown below.
What do I need to do to get a job with the Greensboro Police Department?
- Submit a completed application
- Pre-employment Testing (Physical Abilities Test and Written Test)
- Background Investigation
- Oral Board
- Polygraph, Psychological Evaluation and Medical Exam (no particular order)
Is there an age limit?
There is no age limit; however, the applicant must be at least 21 years old before completion of the academy.
What is the written test and can I study for it?
No, there is no study guide for the written test. The test is primarily a written suitability test which is then graded by a law enforcement psychologist. After the applicant completes the written test, he/she will be given a letter with instructions to go online and complete the test. Once the online portion of the test is completed, Law Enforcement Company, Inc. (the company which grades the test) will send the results to the department. The commanding and executive officers of the Division of Resource Management will determine which applicants will then proceed to the next step - background investigation.
Can you do all of the testing in one or two days for out of state applicants?
No. The department will minimize your number of trips as much as possible, however, as an out of state applicant, you can expect to make a minimum of three trips for the entire process.
Do I have to be BLET (Basic Law Enforcement Training) certified? No, the Greensboro Police Department conducts its own academy. Even if an individual were certified, he/she would still have to attend the academy unless he/she had at least two years experience in a patrol function at another North Carolina municipality or Sheriff's Department.
When will I know if I am hired?
An applicant must successfully complete all phases of the hiring process before being hired. Depending on when the application was received an average process can range from two to six months.
Can I work a part-time job or continue my education while in the academy?
No, the Greensboro Police Department's Academy is mentally and physically demanding. Therefore, all applicants should be dedicated to making themselves the best trainees they can be and, in turn, making the Greensboro Police Department the best agency it can be.
Do I have to live in Greensboro?
No.
Do I get paid while in the academy?
Yes. Since we hire you before seating you in the academy, you are a full-time employee of the City of Greensboro Police Department. We are paid on the 15th and the last business day of the month. Health benefits begin on the first of the month after being employed for 30 days.
When can I join a specialized unit?
An officer is eligible to try for any specialized unit after becoming a Police Officer II. An officer must complete certain departmental academic criteria, which normally takes two years, before achieving this rank.
Does the department give you take home cars?
A patrol officer does not have the option of taking his/her vehicle home. However, most specialized units, such as Detectives, School Resource Officers, Vice/Narcotic Officers, K-9's, Police Neighborhood Resource Center Officers, and Community Resource Team Officers, have that option.
What can I do to improve my chances?
Tell the truth. An applicant that is open with his/her life stands a much better chance in the employment process. Any attempts to conceal mistakes he/she may have made in the past makes the applicant appear untrustworthy and greatly diminishes his/her chances of being employed.
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