Police Recruiting

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Make Protecting Columbia Your Career Choice

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Pick up an application from

City Hall

1225 Lady St

Columbia, SC 29217

Contact a Recruiter

E-mail: Lt. D.K. Martin

Future Plans Police Officer / Police Officer Candidate 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 New Career	Go to Top
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.
Qualifications	Go to Top
► Must be a United States Citizen ► Must be 21 years of age (birth certificate required) ► Must have a high school diploma or equivalent. (Documentation required) ► Must have a valid SC driver's license with a good driving record. ► No Criminal Convictions.
Salary	Go to Top
POLICE OFFICER CANDIDATE (NON-CERTIFIED APPLICANT) BEGINNING SALARY: $29, 893.57 Increases upon graduation from the Criminal Justice Academy as follows: $31,487.44 with High School Diploma $32,117.19 with an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice $33,691.56 with a Bachelor Degree in any related field POLICE OFFICER (CERTIFIED APPLICANT) $33,691.56 with South Carolina Certification of at least one (1) year $32,117.19 with Out-of-State Certification of at least one (1) year Additional Increases for speaking a second language $31,644.87 upon graduation from the Criminal Justice Academy $32,274.63 with AS Criminal Justice Degree or (1) year Out of State Certification $33,849.00** with BA in any related field or SC Certification of at least (1) year
Benefits	Go to Top
10 paid holidays per year Sick Leave: 1 (one) day per month Maximum: 90 (Ninety Days) All uniforms and equipment are provided free of charge Military Leave: Fifteen (15) calendar days per year to fulfill military obligation Retirement: Twenty-five (25) years in the South Carolina Police Retirement System Vacation: One (1) through five (5) years of continuous service - 85.0 hrs per year Vacation Continued: Six (6) through twenty (20 years of continuous service - 8.5 hrs additional per years (Maximum: 212.5 hours) Tuition Reimbursement Program Work Schedule: 12-hour shifts, 28 day cycle, 14 days off a cycle, off every other weekend.
Selection Process	Go to Top
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) Go to Top

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