Police Officer I/II

Job description

Joining The Gaston County Government Team

Being part of a community dedicated to improving the lives of its citizens. Gaston County Government is a dynamic organization that values innovation, collaboration, and commitment to service.

As an employee, you will have the opportunity to make a difference in your community every day. Whether you are working in public safety, social services, or administration, your contributions will help improve the lives of our residents and build a better future for our county.

Description

The Gaston County Police Department was created by Legislative Act on July 1, 1957 and began operation with a chief, a secretary and 23 sworn officers. At that time the Department was primarily responsible for providing police service to the unincorporated areas of the county. Since that time, however, additional duties and responsibilities have been given to the Gaston County Police. Today, the Department employs 153 sworn officers who provide police services to a community of approximately 90,000 residents and spanning an area of over 270 square miles that along with the unincorporated areas of Gaston County also includes providing police services to the incorporated towns of High Shoals and Spencer Mountain.

Examples Of Duties

The duties listed below are not all of the duties that may be assigned but are those that are considered as essential for an employee to perform.

Performs various duties assigned including uniformed patrol of unincorporated areas of the County, traffic enforcement, accident investigations, preliminary investigations of crime scenes, undercover investigation and provides drug and crime prevention programs to individuals and public groups.

Places individuals under arrest and testifies in court proceedings.

Initiates and completes records of actions taken and enters data in manual and/or computerized police record management systems.

Minimum Qualifications

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree is required. A course of study in Criminal Justice or other field of study related to police work is desired. Applications will be accepted from candidates who are anticipating graduation. Candidates may be hired prior to graduation; however, permanent employee status will not be obtained until the degree is received. All candidates must be at least twenty (20) years of age, have the ability to obtain a N.C. Drivers License without restrictions, and agree to relocate to Gaston County or one of the surrounding counties (Mecklenburg, Lincoln, Cleveland, or York County, SC) at the time of employment. The candidate selected must undergo and pass a drug screening test prior to employment.

Additional Information

Pay scale

$24.71 - $43.25 per hour (Police Officer I – Cadet)

$27.45 - $48.04 per hour (Police Officer II – Sworn) Police, Lateral – Based on Years of Service + Bonus *Police Officers do have take-home vehicles*

Lateral Entry Incentive

Any full-time Law Enforcement Officer, Detention Officer, Public Health Nurse, EMT or Paramedic hired into Gaston County's Public Safety or Health Departments (Police, Sheriff, GEMS, Public Health), after 7/1/2026 with at least two years of full-time law enforcement, EMT/Paramedic, or professional nursing experience will receive lateral entry incentive pay in two installments. The first installment will be issued upon the completion of 6 months of continued service with Gaston County. The second installment will be issued upon completion of an additional one year of continued county service. The Lateral Entry Incentive Pay will be equal to the following amounts:

$3,000 – EMTs and Public Health Nurses (two installments of $1,500)

$4,000 – Detention Officers and Paramedics (two installments of $2,000)

$5,000 – Police Officers and Deputy Sheriffs (two installments of $2,500)

The candidate selected must undergo and pass a drug screening test prior to employment. Prior to employment, applicants will be required to undergo an additional physical examination, psychological testing, thorough background evaluation and other required tests in order to be retained as a law enforcement officer. In compliance with G.S. 153A-94.2 (b), if the position being filled requires an applicant for employment to work with children in any capacity, the County must require the applicant, if offered the position, to be subject to a criminal history record check conducted by the SBI. These checks must be performed in accordance with G.S.143B- , which authorizes the SBI to provide fingerprint-based state and national criminal record checks to cities and counties.

At Gaston County, we are committed to providing equal opportunity to all employees, job applicants, and members of the community we serve. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion, and we strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone is treated with respect and dignity.

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable laws.

Gaston County will not sponsor applicants for work visas.

Benefits

At Gaston County, we are committed to providing our full-time employees with a comprehensive total compensation package that includes a competitive salary, a range of benefits, and incentives. A few key components of our total compensation package include:

Health, Dental and Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Flexible Spending Accounts

Retirement Savings Plans

Pension

401K (with 5% county contribution annually)

Flexible Work Schedules

Professional Development Opportunities

Discounted YMCA Membership

To learn more details about the many benefits we provide view our Employee Benefits Guide. Overall, if you are looking for a challenging and rewarding career with competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package, Gaston County is the place for you.

Worksite address

gaston, NC, 27832, US

Who can apply

Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.