• High school graduate or equivalent (Bachelor’s degree preferred)

• Must be at least 20 years of age

• Good moral character (as determined by an extensive background investigation)

• Not have been convicted of a felony or crime punishable by more than two year imprisonment or an offense involving moral turpitude

• Must possess a valid Driver’s License

• Corrected vision of 20/20

• Employment stability

• Ability to work shifts

• Writing skills (demonstrated by completion of application)

• Pass an entrance exam to demonstrate reading/writing comprehension (at least 10th grade reading level)

• Ability to deal with the public tactfully and firmly

• Citizenship/U.S. work authorization

• No immediate relationship to current Department personnel or other officials

• Must reside within the 50-mile residency requirements established by the City of Rocky Mount

• Pass a polygraph examination given by a licensed polygraph examiner, a psychological test, a drug screen and a medical examination.

If an applicant has any of the below disqualifiers, the applicant will not be considered for the position of police officer:

• Any conviction of a felony.

• Any conviction of a crime for which the punishment could have been more than two (2) years.

• Conviction of two or more crimes or unlawful acts defined as Class B Misdemeanors within the preceding five (5) years. Examples: Breaking and Entering into Buildings, Concealment of Merchandise, Receiving Stolen Goods, Worthless Check over $100, Worthless Check – Closed Account, Harassing Telephone Calls, Resisting Officers, Impersonation of a Police Officer, Stalking, Child Abuse, Abandonment, Possession of Schedule VI (marijuana) and Consumption on Street or Sidewalk.

• Conviction of one or more crimes or unlawful acts as defined as Class A Misdemeanors within the preceding four (4) years. Examples: Assault on a Female, Assault on Government Officer, Violation of Domestic Violence Protective Order and Misdemeanor Larceny.

• Crimes or acts involving moral turpitude (anything done contrary to justice, honesty, modesty or good morals. It implies something immoral in itself, regardless of its being punishable by law).

• For a period of three years preceding application or any time after the date of application, having a driver’s license revoked or suspended, or pleading guilty to, entering a plea of no contest to, or being convicted for a traffic offense which may result in the suspension or revocation of driving privileges.

• A DUI or DWI conviction within the past five (5) years. Any convictions over the five (5) year time frame will be reviewed on a case by case basis.

• Any involvement in the sale and/or distribution of illegal drugs.

• Prior usage of illegal drugs is evaluated for the extent of the use and how recent the usage has been. Use of “hard drugs” is an immediate disqualifier.

• 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.

• Not meeting basic requirements with the position with the position as defined by the Criminal Justice Education Training and Standards Commission.

Applicants for police officer positions within the Rocky Mount Police Department will proceed through the selection process listed below:

• Receipt of application

• Human Resources Department application log in

• Screening interview with Recruitment Officer

• Reading/writing comprehension exam and Pre Employment POPAT (Police Officers Physical Abilities Test)

• Police applicant oral review board

• Polygraph examination

• Background investigation

• Conditional job offer

• Psychological testing

• Interview with the Chief of Police

• Medical/physical/drug screen

• Final job offer

This process may take up to ninety (90) days to complete.

The Rocky Mount Police Department will administer a pre-employment POPAT (Police Officer Physical Abilities Test) to all applicants for the position of police cadet. The POPAT measures applicants’ abilities to perform tasks related to the job of police officer. The POPAT is a requirement for certification as a Law Enforcement Officer in N.C. and all non-certified candidates will be required to complete the chase & apprehension portion of the test in under 6:00 minutes and the rescue portion in under 3:00 minutes. This pre-test will provide the Academy Staff with an assessment of each applicant’s physical fitness.

The pre-employment POPAT will not be used to disqualify anyone from employment with our agency. The RMPD Recruitment Unit will administer the test through one of our agency’s NC Specialized Physical Fitness Instructors who will advise applicants on ways to improve their time. Applicants that possess a valid N.C. Law Enforcement Certification are not required to perform the POPAT. The pre-employment POPAT will be administered by the RMPD Recruitment Unit on an as needed basis. The unit will schedule and notify applicants of their test date and location. The POPAT will be administered by a Specialized Physical Fitness Instructor with current CPR certification. The unit will have a First Aid kit at the test site and the means to contact emergency medical assistance if needed. The applicant is responsible for preparing for this test by running and performing push-ups and sit-ups. The applicant is responsible for bringing a completed Physician Statement Form on test day. No applicant will be allowed to test without this form in hand.

Chase/Apprehension

• Chair to cone (40ft) and back 2 times

• Chair to cone (60ft) while successfully completing the broad jump, fence climb and crawl

• 100lb heavy bag roll drill 2 repetitions

• 10 push-ups

• 100lb heavy bag roll drill, 2 repetitions

• Return to cone while successfully completing the broad jump, fence climb and crawl

• Cone to step box and perform 15 steps (up and down) on step box

• 100lb heavy bag roll drill, 2 repetitions

• 10 push-ups

• 100lb heavy bag roll drill, 2 repetitions

Rescue

• Run to cone (50ft) and back 2 times

• Perform 15 steps (up and down) on step box

• Run to cone (50 ft) and back 2 times

• Drag 150lb dummy (25ft) and back