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Application Process

1. Application Material

When a position vacancy occurs, the UNC Police department will make an announcement using the University’s Human Resources website and the department’s website.  Application materials can be found on the University’s Human Resources Department website or by calling the University’s Human Resource Department at 919-843-2300.  Application materials must be submitted by deadlines specified in vacancy announcement.  Failure to submit all documents by dates and times indicated may result in removal from the application process.

Contact information will be maintained on file until the next position vacancy is announced or six months, whichever comes first.  Applicants will be contacted electronically (e-mail) or by the U.S. Postal Service unless otherwise specified.

Interested applicants are responsible for keeping the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Human Resources Department abreast of any changes in contact information. (addresses,  phone numbers, emails, etc.)

Applicants will also complete the NC Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission F-3 History Statement as part of the application process

2. Application Screening Process

UNC Police Human Resources will complete a preliminary background check prior to forwarding the applications on to the Chief of Police and other administration for review.

3. Background Investigation

Professional business attire is required for this interview.  Applicants in the candidate pool will be scheduled to attend and open house for their first interview and processing through Human Resources. A complete work history must be outlined in the F-3 without any time lapses.  If all relevant information is not disclosed, this more than likely will result in disqualification from the hiring process.

The applicant should also bring the following documents to their scheduled appointment. Failure to bring these documents will delay the processing of your application and could preclude you from moving further in the process.

  • Copy of a birth certificate or certificate of naturalization
  • Copy of high school diploma or certified copy of transcript, or GED and college transcript if applicable
  • Copy of military discharge papers (DD-214), if applicable
  • Copy of Social Security Card
  • A true certified copy of warrants for arrest, criminal summons or any other criminal charges with dispositions as well as traffic offenses in which the applicant has been charged.
  • Copy of all law enforcement certificates including BLET Certificate, must be presented at the time of the first interview for further consideration in the application process
  • Valid North Carolina driver’s license – Copy of Same
  • NC Criminal Justice Standards Division Application for Law Enforcement

A background interview will be conducted by a UNC Investigator with the applicant at this time. All applicants will be fingerprinted and photographed as part of the background investigation. The interview will consist of state mandated background questions.  The applicant will then be asked to complete a Release of Information Form and a Insight Applicant Authorization that will be notarized by the department.  The applicant will also complete an online background summary sheet for FMRT and other tests as deemed necessary.  Following the initial interview, the applicant’s files will be returned to the Chief of Police for further review.  Applicants are selected for further background investigations based on overall qualifications and the needs of the department.

During the background investigation the investigator is going to be interviewing references provided and past employers as well as any other references that develop from these interviews.  It is the investigator’s goal to determine if the candidate is a good fit for this department and to verify the candidate’s qualifying credentials.

4. Final Interview

Professional business attire is required for this interview. UNC Police Human Resources will notify applicants selected for the final interview by telephone and send out follow up letters that contain the date and time of their scheduled interview.  Applicants will be scored on several predetermined elements during the interview. Upon completion of the final interview, selected candidates will be given a conditional offer from UNC Police Human Resources. This offer will be conditional and subject to the candidate’s medical, psychological, drug testing and polygraph exam.

Candidates not selected for hiring will be informed in writing or by email within 30 days of such a decision by the UNC Police Department.

5. Medical Exam, Psychological Exam, Drug Testing & Polygraph Testing

A medical exam, psychological exam, polygraph test, and drug test must be successfully completed in a timely fashion. These exams are scheduled and paid for by the UNC Police Department. Final hiring decisions will be made after the receipt of the results from physical examinations and psychological examinations.

6. Training

While in training, recruits are allowed to work special events for overtime pay scheduled through UNC Police.
The hiring process can take 3 to 5 months on average to complete.
Each phase of the application process requires departmental approval and the applicant will be notified upon approval.

Applicant Requirements

  • Must be 20 years of age
  • No maximum age restriction
  • High school graduate or equivalent
  • United States citizen
  • Must be of good character and moral background
  • Valid NC Driver’s License or ability to obtain one
  • Have corrected vision of 20/20 – Applicant can not be colorblind
  • Ability to wear a gas mask and work in confined spaces when needed
  • Ability to work a rotating schedule of days and nights – 48 hours first week & 36 hours second week
  • Ability to communicate clearly and effectively orally and in written form
  • Customer Service oriented when dealing with the general public
  • Act in a professional manner when dealing with representatives from the criminal justice system
  • Preferred, but not necessary a candidate that has as Associate’s Degree or higher from an accredited community college or university.
  • Firearms pre-qualifications (must score at least 80%)

* Prior to employment candidates are required to undergo a physical, psychological, drug, and polygraph testing, along with a thorough background evaluation to include driver’s history and criminal history with no felony convictions.

* Out-of-State transfer applicants must have at least two years of full-time law enforcement experience and cannot have a break in service exceeding six months.

* All applicants must meet standards for certification as a police officer set by the North Carolina Training and Standards Commission.

Various Certifications Considered

NC Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) with university experience

  • NC Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET)
    (County, municipality, special police, etc.)
  • In the process of completing BLET and has never worked anywhere
  • Out of state certified with university experience
  • Out of state certified
  • Non-certified Individuals

Non-Certified/Out of State Transfers-Training

  • Complete entire Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) if hired without certification
  • If from out of state, completion of the 96 hour NC legal block within one year of hiring date is required in order to obtain NC Certification as long as out of state certification transfers.
  • Most state certifications are transferable

Field Training

A new officer is trained in department policies and procedures and other areas unique to The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The field training period will allow the new officer to apply the principles and procedures to the actual situations on campus. Officers will be rotated among assignments to include, but not be limited to, routine patrol, traffic enforcement, report writing, radio communication, traffic direction, etc.

  • Upon completion of the University’s orientation and the completion of the department’s three week orientation, the officer is then sworn in by the Chief of Police.
  • The officer will then complete a 12 week program with a field training officer (FTO) during the probationary period
  • A probationary period must be completed by UNC Police officers.

Criminal History

  • Any felony conviction
  • Any conviction for a crime for which the punishment could have been more than two years
  • Conviction of one or more crimes or unlawful acts defined as Class B misdemeanors within the preceding five years
  • Conviction of two or more crimes or unlawful acts defined as Class A misdemeanors within the preceding five years

Traffic Violations

  • Having a driver’s license suspended or revoked in the three years before making an application or at any time after the date of application; entering a plea of no contest, being convicted, or receiving a prayer for judgment continued for a traffic offense which may result in the suspension or revocation of driving privileges
  • A DUI or DWI conviction within the past 10 years
  • Two or more accidents in which the applicant was charged and convicted within the preceding three years
  • Three or more convictions of moving violations or the accumulation of eight points using the North Carolina point system within the preceding three years, OR four or more convictions of moving violations within the preceding five years, OR five or more convictions of moving violations within the preceding seven years

Drugs

  • Any involvement in the sale of illegal drugs
  • Prior drug usage is evaluated for the extent of the use and how recent the use has been

Credit

  • Demonstrated history of financial irresponsibility

Other

  • Dishonorable discharge from any military service (less-than-honorable discharge will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis)
  • Untruthfulness or the intentional withholding of information on any application, interview, or paperwork associated with the position
  • Deliberate inaccuracies or incomplete statements
  • Cheating on any examination or testing associated with the position