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Qualifications

Explore a career with a future at CMPD.

If you qualify based on the following criteria, please consider applying to join our team today.

Applicants must meet the following minimum standards to be considered for employment:

Have a high school diploma or GED. A high school correspondence diploma is not accepted by the state of North Carolina, you must complete the high school equivalency.

Be at least 20 years old at the time of initial application.

Be a United States citizen.

Have or be able to obtain a North Carolina OR South Carolina Driver's License (dependent on your state of residence) AND have a minimum of 2 years driving experience, using a VALID driver's license.

Have not committed or been convicted of a felony.

Have not committed or been convicted of a serious misdemeanor in the preceding five years.

Have not committed or been convicted of Driving While Impaired during the preceding five years.

Have an Honorable Military Discharge; General and Uncharacterized Discharges are evaluated on a case by case basis.

Pass an entry level written examination.

Participate in the Job-Related Physical Ability Test (JRPAT) to determine the baseline physical fitness abilities of the applicant prior to entering the training academy.

Pass an extensive background investigation including psychological examination, polygraph examination, etc.

Pass Medical standards for sworn applicants are based on Medical Screening Guidelines for the Certification of Criminal Justice Officers in the State of North Carolina.

Pass a pre-employment Medical Examination and Drug Screening Test.

Certain past drug use will result in disqualification. Marijuana usage in the last 6 months or usage of Schedule I drugs or cocaine within the past 3 years will result in an automatic disqualification.

Residency Requirements: The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department requires that all sworn police officers will reside in North Carolina or South Carolina, and within a 45 mile radius of Police Headquarters (601 E. Trade, Charlotte, NC 28202).

Tattoo policy: Employees are permitted to have visible tattoos, brands or scarification provided they do not violate the conditions outlined in the CMPD policy. Some of these conditions include: no tattoo sleeves or “Tat Jackets;” no tattoos that detract from the professional appearance of the employee or violate the standards of decency and morality; and no tattoos that depict “scorekeeping” related to police activity or signify membership in unofficial law enforcement or militia groups regardless of location on the body. Tattoos that do not meet policy must be covered by clothing that meets the CMPD guidelines, or tattoo covering make-up.

BEARD POLICY: BEARDS ARE PERMITTED AS LONG AS THEY ADHERE TO CONDITIONS OUTLINED IN OUR UNIFORM AND GROOMING STANDARDS POLICY

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Residency Requirements

Reside in North Carolina or South Carolina

Within a 45-mile radius of Police Headquarters (601 E. Trade, Charlotte, NC 28202)

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Identification Documentation Requirements

Applicants will need to provide the following identification documentation:

1. One piece of SUPERIOR or STRONG evidence, provided the issuing source confirmed the identity by collecting two or more forms of SUPERIOR or STRONG evidence during their own identity proofing process and the CSP validates the evidence directly with the issuing source;

OR

2. Two pieces of STRONG evidence;

OR

3. One piece of STRONG evidence plus two pieces of FAIR evidence. – *although this is permitted, these pieces of evidence (FAIR) are not ideal for collection*

High resolution images of at least 300 ppi are necessary for proper evidence examination and validation.

Type of Evidence
Strength
Notes

US Passport

Superior

Includes US Passport cards

Foreign e-Passport

Superior

Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card

Superior

Common Access card (CAC)

Superior

Personal Identity Verification
Interoperable (PIV-I) card

Superior

Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)

Superior

Permanent Resident Card

Superior

Issued on or after May 11, 2010

Native American Enhanced Tribal Card

Superior

REAL ID cards

Strong+

Includes REAL ID driver’s licenses and ID cards.
REAL ID cards have a star printed in the upper right-hand corner. Card and personal information must be validated with appropriate DMV or AAMVA.

Enhanced ID cards

Strong+

Includes Enhanced ID driver’s licenses and ID cards. Must be validated with appropriate DMV or AAMVA.

U.S. Uniformed Services Privilege and Identification Card (U.S. Military ID)

Strong+

Includes Uniformed Services Dependent ID Cards. Must be validated with appropriate military issuing source.

Permanent Resident Card

Strong

Issued Prior to May 11, 2010

Native American Tribal Photo Identification Card

Strong

Driver's License or ID card (REAL ID noncompliant)

Strong

School ID card

Fair

Includes facial image photograph

Utility account statement

Fair

Credit/debit card and account statement

Fair

Financial institution account statement

Fair

US Social Security Card

Weak

Original or certified copy of a birth certificate issued by a state, county, municipal authority or outlying possession of the United States bearing an official seal

Weak

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