Sworn Career Development

Police Officer I

This level is designed to further Kinston Police Department sworn employees’ capabilities in the performance of their duties. The requirements for certification to a Police Officer I status requires:

Minimum of one (1) year of full-time sworn law enforcement service with the Kinston Police Department. Lateral entry officers must add one year of service for total of (2) years of full-time sworn law enforcement service.
Must have received a satisfactory employee evaluation with no rating below a three (3) on the most recent performance appraisal.
Employees meeting the requirements of this program will be placed in the Police Officer I pay grade and receive a five percent (5% percent) pay increase.

Police Officer II

This level is designed to further Kinston Police Department sworn employees’ capabilities in the performance of their duties. The requirement for certification to a Police Officer II status requires:

Minimum of two (2) years of full-time sworn law enforcement service with the Kinston Police Department and must hold the rank of Police Officer I for one (1) year. Lateral entry officers must add one year of service for total of (3) years of full-time sworn law enforcement service.
Completion of a minimum of six (6) semester hours of college credit, one-hundred twenty (120) cumulative hours of Department approved training (excludes BLET and mandatory in-service), or the combination of the two based on the formula stated in Section A.
Must have completed a Department approved Community Policing course.
Must have annually participated in at least (4) community activities within the year: Community Meetings, Coffee with a Cop, National Night Out, Reading with Kids, The Gate, Pizza with the Police or equivalent.
Must have received a satisfactory employee evaluation with no rating below a three (3) on the most recent performance appraisal and not sustained an internal investigation that resulted in a suspension in the past 12 months.
Any employee meeting the requirements set forth for this certification level will be placed in the Police Officer II pay grade and receive a five percent (5%) pay increase.

Senior Police Officer

This program is designed to prepare the Kinston Police Department sworn employees to become candidates for supervisory positions within the organization. The requirements for this position are:

Minimum of three (3) years of full-time sworn law enforcement service with the Kinston Police Department and must hold the rank of Police Officer II for one (1) year. Lateral entry officers must add one year of service for total of (4) years of full-time sworn law enforcement service.
Completion of a minimum of twenty-four (24) cumulative semester hours of college credit, four-hundred eighty (480) cumulative hours of department approved training (excludes BLET and mandatory in-service), or the combination of the two based on the formula stated in Section A.
Must have completed Credible Leadership I (Free – Wake Technical Community College).
Must have completed: ICS 100 & ICS 200; both courses are offered free online from FEMA.
Must have completed at least two (2) of the following Department approved courses: Leadership (multiple options), K9, Verbal Judo or De-escalation, Community Policing, Media Relations or Advanced Speaking Skills, Investigations or Drug Enforcement for Patrol Officers, Officer Survival or equivalent type of courses approved by the Chief of Police or his/her designee.
Agency sponsored event - must have annually participated in at least four (4) community activities within the past year: Community Meetings, Coffee with a Cop, National Night Out, Reading with Kids, The Gate, Pizza with the Police or equivalent.
Must have received and maintained a satisfactory employee evaluation with no rating below a four (4) on the most recent performance appraisal and not sustained an internal investigation that resulted in a suspension in the past 12 months.
If a candidate is not eligible for promotion due to the infrequency or unavailability of a required course, an exemption may be granted at the discretion of the Chief of Police. However, if promoted, a one (1) year grace period will be granted to complete the required courses.
Any employee reclassified as a Senior Police Officer will be placed in the Senior Officer pay grade and receives a five percent (5%) pay increase.

Master Police Officer

This program is designed to prepare the Kinston Police Department sworn employees to become candidates for supervisory positions within the organization. The requirements for this position are:

To be eligible for this position, an officer must have (6) years of full-time sworn law enforcement service with the Kinston Police Department and must hold the rank of Senior Officer for two (2) years. Lateral entry officers must add one year of service for total of (7) years of full-time sworn law enforcement service.
Completion of a minimum of thirty (30) cumulative semester hours of college credit, six hundred (600) cumulative hours of department approved training (excludes BLET and mandatory in-service), or the combination of the two based on the formula stated in Section A.
Must have completed Credible Leadership II (Free – Wake Technical Community College)
Must have completed: NIMS 700 & NIMS 800; both courses are offered free online from FEMA.
Must have completed at least two (2) of the following department approved courses: First Line Supervisor, Advanced Leadership, PLI, Basic Instructor, Advanced Investigations, Advanced Officer Survival or equivalent type of courses approved by the Chief of Police or his/her designee.
Agency sponsored event - must have annually participated in at least four (4) community activities within the past year: Watch Meetings, Coffee with a Cop, National Night Out, Reading with Kids, The Gate, Pizza with the Police or equivalent.
Must have received and maintained a satisfactory employee evaluation with no rating below a four (4) on the most recent performance appraisal and not sustained an internal investigation that resulted in a suspension in the past 12 months.
If a candidate is not eligible for promotion due to the infrequency or unavailability of a required course, an exemption may be granted at the discretion of the Chief of Police. However, if promoted, a one (1) year grace period will be granted to complete the required courses.
Any employee reclassified as a Master Police Officer will be placed in the Master Officer pay grade and receives a five percent (5%) pay increase.

Sergeant

An employee in this class is responsible for the efficient performance of a small group of police officers assigned to a team or unit. Duties include advising and instructing officers when routine problems arise in the field, assisting in the training of inexperienced police officers, performing special criminal identification work, patrolling the city in a police car or on foot, investigating disturbances and crimes, and performing traffic control work. The number of allotted positions for Sergeant will be determined by the Chief of Police. Placement into this rank will be based on a promotional process determined by the Chief of Police. The requirements for this position are:

Minimum of five (5) years of full-time sworn law enforcement service.
Completion of a minimum of forty-eight (48) cumulative semester hours of college credit, nine-hundred sixty (960) cumulative hours of department approved training (excludes BLET and mandatory in-service), or the combination of the two based on the formula stated in Section A.
Must have completed Credible Leadership III (Free – Wake Technical Community College).
Must have obtained an Intermediate Law Enforcement Officer Certification from Training and Standards.
Must have completed at least (3) of the following Department approved courses: First Line Supervisor, Tactical Leadership, New Sergeant, Credible Leadership IV, Officer Involved Shootings, Leadership in Public Safety Organizations or equivalent type of courses approved by the Chief of Police or his/her designee.
Agency sponsored event - must have annually participated in at least four (4) community activities within the past year: Community Meetings, Coffee with a Cop, National Night Out, Reading with Kids, The Gate, Pizza with the Police or equivalent.
Must have received a satisfactory employee evaluation with no rating below a four (4) on the most recent performance appraisal and not sustained an internal investigation that resulted in a suspension in the past 24 months.
If a candidate is not eligible for promotion due to the infrequency or unavailability of a required course, an exemption may be granted at the discretion of the Chief of Police. However, if promoted, a one (1) year grace period will be granted to complete the required courses.
Any employee promoted to this rank will be placed in the Sergeant pay grade and receive a minimum of ten percent (10%) pay increase.

Captain

An employee in this class is responsible for supervising, planning and directing activities of police officers and civilian personnel. Work involves observing and evaluating the work of employees and giving advice for improvement in methods and procedures. The work is performed with a considerable degree of independence within the scope of Departmental policies and procedures. The employee must exercise considerable initiative and make decisions based on knowledge and experience. Placement into this rank will be based on a promotional process determined by the Chief of Police. The minimum requirements for this position are:

Minimum of seven (7) years of full-time sworn law enforcement service, including (1) full year as Sergeant.
Completion of a minimum of sixty (60) cumulative semester hours of college credit, twelve-hundred (1,200) cumulative hours of department approved training (excludes BLET and mandatory in-service training), or the combination of the two based on the formula stated in Section A.
Must have completed Credible Leadership IV (Free – Wake Technical Community College).
Have obtained an Advanced Law Enforcement Officer Certification from Training and Standards.
Must have completed a Department approved Internal Affairs course.
Agency sponsored event - must have completed one (1) of the following training courses: West Point Leadership, Leadership Institute (NCJA), Leadership Institute (Coast Plain Law Enforcement Training Center), Leadership Institute (Pitt) or equivalent type of courses approved by the Chief of Police or his/her designee.
Must have annually participated in at least four (4) community activities within the past year: Community Meetings, Coffee with a Cop, National Night Out, Reading with Kids, The Gate, Pizza with the Police or equivalent.
Must have received a satisfactory employee evaluation with no rating below a four (4) on the most recent performance appraisal and not sustained an internal investigation that resulted in a suspension in the past 24 months.
If a candidate is not eligible for promotion due to the infrequency or unavailability of a required course, an exemption may be granted at the discretion of the Chief of Police. However, if promoted, a one (1) year grace period will be granted to complete the required courses.
Any employee promoted to this rank will be placed in the Captain pay grade and receive a minimum of ten percent (10%) pay increase.

Major

An employee in this class is responsible for supervising, planning and directing activities of police officers and civilian personnel at the administrative level of the organization. The position conducts responsible administrative work commanding one of the major divisions of the organization. Work is performed under the limited supervision of the Chief of Police.The employee must exercise considerable initiative and make decisions based on knowledge and experience. Placement into this rank will be based on a promotional process determined by the Chief of Police. The minimum requirements for this position are:

Minimum of ten (10) years of full-time sworn law enforcement service.
Have obtained a Bachelor's degree with coursework in in public administration, law enforcement administration, or related field and extensive experience of a wide and progressively responsible nature in police services supervision equivalent to the rank of Captain, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Must have completed Credible Leadership V (Free – Wake Technical Community College).
Must have completed: ICS 300 & ICS 400.
Must have received a satisfactory employee evaluation with no rating below a four (4) on the most recent performance appraisal and not sustained an internal investigation that resulted in a suspension in the past 24 months.
Any employee promoted to this rank will be placed in the Major pay grade and receive a minimum of ten percent (10%) pay increase.

Chief of Police

An employee in this class is responsible for planning, organizing, coordinating and overseeing the multiple activities, function and personnel of the department. Work involves formulating policies and procedures governing the administration, management, supervision and operations of the department and ensures that same arecarried out. The position reviews departmental activity reports; plans weekly objectives; prepares and submits a variety of reports; attends City Council meetings. The employee must exercise considerable initiative and make decisions based on knowledge and experience. There will be (1) allotted positions for Chief of Police.Placement into this rank will be based on a promotional process determined by the City Manager. The minimum requirements for this position are:

Have obtained a Bachelor's degree with coursework in in public administration, law enforcement administration, or related field or extensive experience of a wide and progressively responsible nature in police services supervision, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Appropriate advanced degree highly preferred, along with executive law enforcement training (e.g. FBI National Academy, Administrative Officers Management Program, PERF, LEEP, etc.) and minimum of 10 years law enforcement experience and 5-7 years of cross-functional and progressively responsible experience including administrative and command work at the equivalent rank of Captain, Major, Assistant/ Deputy Chief, or higher.
Additional requirements will be determined by the City Manager. Any employee promoted to this rank will be placed in the Chief’s pay grade and pay will be determined by the City Manager.