Police Cadet

Police Cadet Salary and Job Information

Police Cadet Salary: $54,011.20 Annually Location: Burlington, NC Job Type: Full-time Job Number: 2026-00001 Department: Police Opening Date: January 1, 2026 Closing Date: December 31, 2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Job Description

Have you ever dreamed of helping others as a police officer? Do you want to contribute to your community in a greater capacity? We are looking for you to become the next Burlington Police Officer!

About Us

The Burlington Police Department is a nationally accredited law enforcement agency that is committed to quality, fair, and professional police services. The agency is made up of more than 150 sworn officers and 50 professional staff members serving the City of Burlington, North Carolina. Voted the #1 Police Agency in NC in 2024, we serve a growing city of approximately 60,000 residents.

Responsibilities

An employee in this class is responsible for attending Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) classes on a daily basis through Alamance Community College; listening to instruction, participating in physical fitness training, participating in role play scenarios, and taking tests. The employee must have a positive attitude and desire to learn through hard work and good study habits. The work is performed under the observation and review of the Training Lieutenant and other Training officers. This employee is subject to the usual hazards of law enforcement training. This classification is considered non-exempt in compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Hiring Timeframe

This job posting is intended to hire for the Basic Law Enforcement Training courses beginning in July 2026 and January 2027. If you are chosen to be hired, you will be required to attend the Alamance Community College (ACC) BLET class and adhere to their schedule. This may include some afternoons/evenings and potentially some weekends.

Policing with a Purpose

Preserving the Sanctity of ALL Life Nurture and Protect Democracy Ensure Procedural Justice and Fundamental Fairness Spirit of Service Protect the Community from Harm Treat all individuals with Dignity and Respect - the ethical foundation of policing.

Examples of Duties

• Build a Strong Training Foundation
• Attend Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) at Alamance Community College and complete all required classroom, physical, and practical components.
• Stay Engaged in Classroom Learning
• Listen attentively during instruction, take clear notes, participate actively in discussions, and demonstrate an ongoing commitment to mastering course material.
• Practice Real-World Policing Skills
• Participate in role-playing scenarios designed to develop decision-making, communication, and tactical abilities in controlled environments.
• Complete Coursework and Testing Successfully
• Finish all assignments on time, take graded tests, and maintain passing scores that demonstrate readiness for a future law enforcement role.
• Embrace Ethical and Professional Standards
• Learn and model the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics and consistently adhere to the expectations outlined in the Basic Law Enforcement Training Code of Conduct.

Qualifications

• Ability to work within structure: Functions effectively under a strict law enforcement hierarchy and established protocols.
• Ability to learn laws and policies: Learns, understands, and applies applicable laws, ordinances, policies, and procedures.
• Strong situational judgment: Analyzes situations accurately and selects quick, effective, and responsible courses of action.
• Ability to learn radio procedures: Develops proficiency in standard police radio broadcasting practices.
• Ability to use technology: Learns to operate computers and applicable software used in law enforcement environments.
• Familiarity with law enforcement equipment: Builds skill in the use of firearms and other authorized tools.
• Ability to follow instructions: Understands and carries out oral and written directives accurately.
• Effective communication skills: Communicates clearly and professionally, both orally and in writing.
• Strong reading and writing ability: Reads and writes at a level required for successful job performance.
• Basic policing knowledge: Possesses foundational understanding of modern law enforcement principles and procedures.
• Knowledge of operating policies: Understands departmental SOPs and relevant federal, state, and local laws and ordinances.
• Knowledge of job-specific tools: Familiar with practices, materials, techniques, and equipment pertinent to assigned tasks.
• Ability to act in emergencies: Responds quickly, calmly, and appropriately in high-pressure or emergency situations.
• Strong interpersonal skills: Maintains effective working relationships with supervisors, peers, and the general public.

Minimum Requirements

• Graduation from High School or GED Equivalency
• 20 Years of Age (by the time you take the state exam in BLET)
• US Citizenship
• Special Requirements:
• Valid North Carolina Drivers License
• Ability to obtain certification as a law enforcement officer by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Standards Commission after successful training and based on background review.

Supplemental Information

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Work in this position is medium work, exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• Employee must have the visual acuity to prepare and analyze data and figures, operate a computer terminal, and perform extensive reading.
• Employee is exposed to inside and outside working conditions.
• Employee may be exposed to noise which would cause the worker to shout in order to be heard above the ambient noise level; hazards including proximity to moving equipment; and atmospheric conditions which may affect the respiratory system.
• Inclement Weather Classification: Essential
• FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt

Benefits

Benefits for full-time employees of the City of Burlington (with the exception of full-time sworn police officers) are as follows:

• Paid vacation and sick leave
• Ability to transfer North Carolina local government earned sick leave
• Paid holidays for New Years Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Good Friday, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas
• Enrollment in the Local Government branch of the North Carolina State Retirement System
• Enrollment in Empower 401k
• Health and dental insurance coverage for employee and children; spouses may be added to the policy if they are not offered coverage at their own place of employment
• Voluntary enrollment in a Flexible Spending Plan
• Life insurance
• Long-term care insurance
• Other voluntary insurances and deferred compensation plans

Supplemental Questions

By completing these supplemental questions, you are attesting that the information you have provided is accurate. Any information you provide may be reviewed by the hiring manager. Any misstatements or falsification of information may eliminate you from consideration or may result in dismissal. "See resume" is not an acceptable answer to any question. Resumes may be uploaded as a supplement to the online application. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of application and/or the Work History section.

Additional Questions

1. Are you a U.S. Citizen (either by birth or naturalization)? Yes No
2. What is the highest level of education you have completed? No high school equivalency High School Diploma or GED Associates Degree Bachelors Degree Masters Degree Doctorate or Higher
3. Are you certified in or currently attending Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET)? Yes No
4. If you answered yes to the previous question, please list where you attended or are attending Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET), including the academy name and location. If you are not certified or you are not currently enrolled in BLET, please type "N/A".
5. Police officers are required to work rotating shifts, which will include days, nights, weekends, holidays plus occasional on-call. Police officers are often not able to choose their schedule and must be able to work any day/night/time as needed by the agency. Are you willing to work this type of schedule? Yes No
6. Are you currently a candidate in the employment process with another criminal justice agency? Yes No
7. If you answered yes to the previous question, please list the agency name, date of your application, and at what point in the process you are at for each agency. If you answered no, please type "N/A".
8. Have you ever been denied employment by a criminal justice agency? Yes No
9. If you answered yes to the previous question, please list the agency name, date of your application, and reason for denial. If you have never been denied employment by a criminal justice agency, please type "N/A".
10. Have you ever been discharged or asked to resign from any position because of criminal or personal misconduct, rules violation, or any other reason? Yes No
11. If you answered yes to the previous question, please explain the circumstances. If you have never been discharged or asked to resign from a position for any reason, please type "N/A".
12. Have you ever been charged with a felony? Yes No
13. If you answered yes to the previous question, please provide the charge, circumstances of the charge, date of the charge, and the outcome. If you have never been charged with a felony please type "N/A".
14. Do you drink alcoholic beverages? Yes No
15. If you answered yes to the previous question, how often do you drink alcoholic beverages? 0-4 drinks a week 5-9 drinks a week 10 drinks or more a week I do not drink alcoholic beverages
16. Have you ever been arrested or cited for a DWI/DUI? Yes No
17. If you answered yes to the previous question, how long ago were you arrested or cited for DWI/DUI? Less than five (5) years ago More than five (5) years ago I have never been arrested for a DWI/DUI
18. Have you ever been convicted of any crime arising from Domestic Violence? Yes No
19. Have you ever used any illegal drugs including, but not limited to,