Headed to a career fair or law enforcement recruitment event soon, and want to study up on who you’ll meet from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department? Then this post is for you.
When you start your journey to becoming a sworn officer with CMPD, you’re assigned a recruiter who works with you one-on-one throughout your application process and training at the Academy. Your recruiter is here from the start to answer general questions about choosing a career in law enforcement, as well as specific questions about your application, preparing for entry testing, what life is like during the Academy and more.
Your recruiter will also conduct your background investigation and help coordinate your psychological investigation, JRPAT fitness test and oral interviews in your hiring process.
But your relationship with your recruiter doesn’t end once you’re accepted to the Academy. S/he will remain by your side for support and mentorship throughout training and beyond.
Get to know your CMPD recruitment team*:
Officer William “Bill” Clark | Years with CMPD: 25+
Why did you become a CMPD recruiter?
I am at the waning part of my career. My job is to find the next officers who will take that baton and run with it.
What role(s) did you serve in the department before becoming a recruiter?
My roles have run the gamut, which is the best thing about becoming a police officer: You aren’t stuck in one place for your entire career.
I spent almost 20 years in investigations. I worked in the Juvenile Offender, Crimes Against Children and Adult Sexual Assault units, and I filled in with Missing Persons. I also served as an instructor for the Law Enforcement Bicycle Association, where I taught many people how to be police officers while riding the bike.
What do you wish more potential recruits knew?
I tell everyone I work with to enjoy where you are as far as location and city. I don’t want recruits to think it is all about work.
While we often feel life is consumed by work, you don’t want it to become who you are. As important as anything is finding something outside of work that keeps you going. You need to enjoy where you are and the things around you in order to make you a better person. Work is not everything.
Officer Joseph Garcia | Years with CMPD: 10
Why did you become a CMPD recruiter?
I enjoy sharing the positive experiences I have had being a member of CMPD, and want to do my part in trying to help fill the gap in the staffing shortages we are seeing in departments across the nation.
What role(s) did you serve in the department before becoming a recruiter?
I worked second shift patrol in the North Tryon Division for approximately five years, and then served as a detective in that division for approximately four years.
What do you wish more potential recruits knew?
The negative incidents the media tend to focus on involving policing are not the norm. This is a great career with wonderful opportunities, especially with a department our size.
Officer C.M. “Kristy” Helms | Years with CMPD: 26
Why did you become a CMPD recruiter?
I joined recruitment to be part of hiring the next generation of law enforcement, as my career is coming to a close. It’s what I do best and I love it. It’s very rewarding.
What role(s) did you serve in the department before becoming a recruiter?
I worked Patrol in the North Tryon Division, and also in the Streets Crimes Unit, Crime Intel, Real-Time Crime Center, Financial Crimes, Crime Intel, Command Center Manager and as a SWAT Crisis Negotiator.
Which recruits stand out to you?
The recruits that stand out to me are the ones who have servant hearts, where this job is truly a calling for them. It’s their passion. They want more than anything to become a Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer.
The other recruits that stand out to me are the ones who had difficult childhoods and did not grow up in the perfect households, but they didn’t let childhood define them. They finished high school, and were the first ones in their families to go to college and pay for it.
Officer Sangwon Lee | Years with CMPD: 13
Why did you become a CMPD recruiter?
I liked working for CMPD and I want to bring the best people to the department.
What role(s) did you serve in the department before becoming a recruiter?
I was a patrol officer, patrol training officer and worked in the Crime Reduction Unit.
What do you wish more potential recruits knew?
CMPD recruiters are working to hire them, not to disqualify them. Be honest and open.
Officer Jasmine Nivens | Years with CMPD: 9
Why did you become a CMPD recruiter?
I became a CMPD recruiter because I genuinely enjoy working for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. I enjoy being able to speak positively on not only what our agency has to offer, but what a life in the greater Charlotte area has to offer young professionals, new families or those seeking a change.
It brings me joy knowing that I can provide those who are qualified an opportunity to serve and protect the place that I call home and the city that I hold near and dear to my heart. I am also proud that I have a hand in cultivating the new generation of officers that will continue to serve this city long after veteran officers retire.
What role(s) did you serve in the department before becoming a recruiter?
I was previously assigned to the Freedom Division as a second shift patrol officer and the Crimes Against Children Unit.
What do you wish more potential recruits knew?
I wish more potential applicants knew that you don’t have to change your entire life for this profession. I’m the “same ole Jasmine” I was before I became “Officer Nivens,” just a little bit older, wiser and more thankful.
Officer Tony Reno | Recruiter/Background Investigator | Years with CMPD: 14
Why did you become a CMPD recruiter?
I want to help locate qualified applicants, specifically military veterans, to build the future of this department.
What role(s) did you serve in the department before becoming a recruiter?
I was a patrol officer with Freedom Division for seven years, a Crimes Against Children Unit detective for six years, and now I’ve been a recruiter for one-and-a-half years.
What do you wish more potential recruits knew?
I wish recruits knew how rewarding it is to be a police officer. How you can save lives and help all kinds of people. Every day is different and that can be exciting in itself. It’s a feeling of serving something bigger than yourself.
Accelerate your career here
Ready to join the men and women of CMPD? Find a recruitment event near you, or start your new trainee, lateral entry or intermediate entry application today.
*Some answers edited for clarity.
