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Career Opportunities

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Why WCU PD?

  • State retirement and benefits
  • Competitive wages
  • Various training and program opportunities
  • Overtime hours for special events
  • Paid college tuition within the UNC System (Full-time staff members only)
  • Community oriented policing
  • Uniform and equipment provided

Qualifications

  • Must be 21 years of age
  • Have a valid driver’s license
  • Graduate from high school or possess a high school equivalent certificate
  • Completion of a NC Basic Law Enforcement Program

You can visit jobs.wcu.edu to apply!

All WCU police officers must successfully complete the North Carolina Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) Program before they are allowed to perform law enforcement duties. The BLET Program is a State accredited program designed to prepare entry level individuals with the cognitive and physical skills to become certified North Carolina law enforcement officers. The course is comprised of thirty-six separate blocks of instruction. BLET Program graduates must pass a comprehensive, statewide examination before obtaining law enforcement certification from the North Carolina Attorney General's Office. The WCU Police Department supports the BLET Programs at Southwestern Community College and Haywood Community College.

BLET Sponsorship

Each year, the Western Carolina University Police Department provides a limited number of sponsorships to the BLET Program. Individuals desiring to obtain a sponsorship to a BLET Program should contact the Assistant Chief of Police at 828-227-7301 as soon as possible but no less than at least two months before the start of the BLET Program. Individuals desiring sponsorship must successfully pass a background investigation before receiving such sponsorship. Individuals are responsible for all costs associated with the background investigation and BLET Program. The issuing of a sponsorship is not a guarantee of employment with the Western Carolina University Police Department.

The Western Carolina University Police Department partners with the criminal justice academic programs at Western Carolina University, Southwestern Community College, and Haywood Community College to provide internship opportunities. Prospective interns must apply the semester before they intend to begin the internship. Applications may be obtained through the Administrative Lieutenant who may be contacted at 828-227-7301.

The Western Carolina University Police Department provides students with the opportunity to ride along with a patrol officer and observe the everyday duties of a law enforcement officer. Contact the Patrol Lieutenant at 828-227-7301 for additional information and to schedule your ride along.

A Catamount Ranger is a student security employee of the University Police Department. The employee is expected to conduct walking foot patrols on various areas of campus. The employee will physically check doors to ensure the doors are locked and noted and report other security concerns such as open windows and inoperable lighting. Catamount Rangers will also be expected to be observant for suspicious or illegal behavior. The primary work hours will be 10 pm to 2 am and the pay rate for the position is $8.00 an hour. Contact the Patrol Lieutenant at 828-227-7301 for additional information.

The Police Community Advisory Committee (PCAC) Citizen’s Academy is designed to give community members the opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of police operations through interactions with individual officers and important campus leaders. Academy topics include the Emergency Communication Center Operations, Rape Aggress Defense (RAD) Express class, Traffic Stops/Driving While Impaired Awareness, Criminal Investigations, Use of force, Search and Seizures, and more! The Citizen’s academy is sponsored by WCU’s Police Community Advisory Committee in an effort to develop and maintain partnerships between the community and the WCU PD.

 

Students that have joined the PCAC Student Organization will be given priority registration for the Academy.

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