Police Officer Trainee 2026

Salary : $51,269.00 Annually
Location : Police Department, Winston-Salem, NC
Job Type: Full-Time / Permanent
Job Number: POT2024
Department: Police
Division: Police - Support Services
Opening Date: 06/01/2024
Closing Date: Continuous
Description
You must contact the recruitment office at prior to completing this application. They will provide you with an application access code.
Please see thewebsite for more information on the hiring process.
The Winston-Salem Police Department (WSPD) has openings for police officers year-round. The Department fills non-sworn positions as the need arises.
The process to become a Winston-Salem Police Officer is challenging. There are a variety of steps a successful applicant must complete before he or she is invited to become a Winston-Salem Police Recruit.
Application Steps : Please see thewebsite for more information and additional steps in the hiring process.
You must contact the recruitment office at prior to completing this application. They will provide you with an application access code.
Examples of Duties
General Definition of Work
Performs responsible protective service work in the prevention, detection and investigation of violations of the law.
Essential Functions
On an assigned shift, patrols an assigned area to observe violations of criminal and traffic laws, suspicious activities and disturbances; responds to radio dispatches; answers calls and complaints; serves warrants, commitments and makes arrests; provides police escorts; monitors and directs traffic; enforces traffic laws and ordinances; investigates traffic accidents; aids injured persons; reports unsafe conditions in streets and public facilities; conducts criminal investigations by gathering evidence, interviewing victims and witnesses and interrogating suspects; prepares detailed reports; testifies in court and performs related work as required.
Typical Qualifications
Education and Experience
Graduation from high school or GED equivalency.
Special Requirements
Must be a U.S. Citizen.
Must be at least 19 years of age.
Must be of good moral character, having no felony convictions, serious misdemeanors, or DWI's within the past five (5) years.
Must be in good physical condition.
Must reside within 60 miles from City Hall.
Must possess or be able to obtain a valid North Carolina's driver license.
Supplemental Information
Supplemental Information
Work Schedule: Rotating/Shift Hours
There will be a 12 month probationary period during which you will receive performance evaluations after 6 months and at the end of the probationary period.
Salary Information
Police Officer Trainee Starting Salary: $51,269.00
with military incentive: $53,833.00
with AA/AS Degree: $53,833.00
AA/AS with military incentive: $56,524.00
with BA/BS. Degree: $56,524.00
BA/BS with military incentive: $59,351.00
Sworn Officer Starting Salary: $56,524.00
with military incentive: $59,351.00
with AA/AS Degree: $59,351.00
AA/AS with military incentive: $62,318.00
with BA/BS Degree: $62,318.00
BA/BS with military incentive: $65,434.00
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

• 401a Contribution (employee match not required)
• Bus Pass Program
• Education Assistance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Suggestion Program
• Family and Medical Leave
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Group Health Insurance
• Group Dental Insurance
• Jury Duty Leave
• Life/Accidental Death Insurance
• Long-Term Care Insurance
• Military Leave
• Paid Holidays
• Promotion from Within
• Retirement/Pension Plan (State of NC)
• School Leave
• Shared Leave
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Sick Leave
• Training
• Vacation Leave
• Wellness Program

The City of Winston-Salem's employment practices are guided by federal, state, and local rules and regulations guaranteeing employment opportunities to all persons without regard to and prohibiting discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, religion, political affiliation or beliefs, national origin or handicap, unless a bonafide occupational qualification exists.
01
It is the determination of the Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission that these questions are necessary in order to fully and adequately evaluate applicants for law enforcement and criminal justice certification. These questions are designed to ascertain whether the applicant meets the minimum standards for certification and serve no other purpose.

• I certify that I have read this statement.

02
Are you a U.S. citizen/naturalized U.S. citizen? (WSPD)

• Yes
• No

03
Are you at least 20 years of age or older? (WSPD)

• Yes
• No

04
Are you a high school graduate or do you have your GED? (WSPD)

• Yes
• No

05
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? (WSPD)

• Yes
• No

06
Have you had a DWI or DUI conviction in the past five (5) years? (WSPD)

• Yes
• No

07
Has your license been suspended or revoked within the past three (3) years? (WSPD)

• Yes
• No

08
Have you used any illegal drugs in the past year? (WSPD)

• Yes
• No

09
If yes, please explain in the box below. (WSPD, question 8)
10
Have you ever used any illegal drugs including, but not limited to, opiates, pills, heroin, cocaine, crack, LSD, steroids, etc? (WSPD)

• Yes
• No

11
If yes, please explain (number of uses and dates of occurrence): (WSPD, question 10)
12
Have you used any illegal drugs since the age of 25? (WSPD)

• N/A < 25 years old
• Yes
• No

13
If yes, please explain in the box below. (WSPD, question 12)
14
Have you used any marijuana in the last year? (WSPD)

• Yes
• No

15
Have you ever used prescription drugs other than under the supervision of, or as prescribed by, a physician? (WSPD)

• Yes
• No

16
If yes, please explain in the box below. (WSPD, question 15)
17
Do you have any pending criminal court case or cases where a disposition has not been rendered? (WSPD)

• Yes
• No

18
Have you ever had a Domestic Violence Protection Order issued against you? (This does not include ex-parte Domestic Violence Protective Orders.) (WSPD)

• Yes
• No

19
Have you ever been denied employment by a criminal justice agency? (WSPD)

• Yes
• No

20
If yes, please explain in the box below. (WSPD, question 19)
21
If you served in the military, was your last discharge honorable? (WSPD)

• Does not apply
• Yes
• No

22
If yes, please explain. (WSPD, question 21)
23
Enter your date of birth below (mm/dd/yyyy). (WSPD)
24
Indicate your gender: (WSPD)

• Male
• Female

25
Indicate your race/ethnic background. (Used for Equal Employment statistical purposes only.) (WSPD)

• American Indian
• Asian American
• Black
• Spanish American
• White
• Other

26
Please provide your driver's license number and state in which it was issued? (WSPD)
27
Please enter the application access code that was given to you by the WSPD Recruiting office:
Required Question