This form which includes Instructions, CPD Application and the
Job Related Physical
Ability Test must be printed, and afterwards filled out and turned
into the City of Columbia Human Resource Office located at
1225 Lady Street,
Columbia, SC 29217.
CPD Application
(Must Have Microsoft Word to Use)
This form may be filled in using Microsoft Word. The
application can be saved at any time and printed when once completed.
After the form has been filled out, it must be turned
into the City of Columbia Human Resource Office located at
The safety and protection of every citizen and visitor within the
city limits falls to the Columbia Police Department, and its a task they take
seriously, and with great pride. Therefore the city of Columbia seeks out
and employs only those personnel who will take on the old and honorable
tradition, "To Protect and To Serve", after all you are now applying to become
one of its finest citizen.
A career with the Columbia Police Department is like no other job
or experience. If offers excitement, a sense of accomplishment, job
satisfaction, teamwork, opportunities for growth with promotion and excellent
salary and benefits.
The City of Columbia is searching for qualified applicants to
fill entry-level Police Officer positions. The selection process consists of ten
steps that must be completed in their entirety prior to the hiring of an
applicant.
All applications for employment as a Police Officer Candidate or Police Officer
are received by the City of Columbia's Employment Office. All completed Police
Officer Applications Packets are then forwarded to the Police Department within
three (3) weeks.
Applicants will receive a letter from the Recruiter within five (5) days of the
Police Department receiving the completed Police Officer Applications Packet.
Application accepted (completed with all required documents)
Application Screening (Criminal History, Driver's License Check, Document
Verification) Nelson-Denny Testing (the only candidates exempt from the test are
those individuals with a bachelor degree, or those candidates that are already
certified)
Initial Background Interview
Background Investigation
Successful applicants reaching this level will be interviewed by the
Personnel/Recruiting Supervisor and placed on a list according to qualifications
and availability.
Once an opening occurs, the candidates selected from the list will complete:
Conditional Offer of Employment
Drug/Alcohol Screening
Physical Examination
Psychological & Polygraph Examinations
Final Offer of Employment by the Chief of Police
Upon employment with the City of Columbia Police Department, the new recruit
will be required to participate and successfully meet the requirements and
standards affixed to each Training Program. Areas of training include, but are
not limited to:
Columbia Police Department Basic Candidate School (six weeks) the South Carolina
Criminal Justice Academy's Basic Law Enforcement School (Nine Weeks) and the
Columbia Police Department Field Training Program (Forty-six Working Days)
"The
mission of the Columbia Police is to establish relationships, build public
trust, and earn citizen confidence while reducing crime, to make
Columbia the safest City in South Carolina."