GPD Hiring FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
YOU HAVE GPD CAREER QUESTIONS.
WE HAVE ANSWERS.
How old do you have to be to apply, and is there an age limit?
Officers must be 20 years old on the day of their Police Academy graduation. There is no age limit. Your life experiences are extremely valuable to us and our residents.
What about criminal charges? If you are charged or convicted of a crime, is it ever possible to be a police officer?
Applicants must not have a felony conviction. They must not have been convicted of a Class B misdemeanor in the past 5 years. If you have questions about this, contact our recruiting officer Sergeant Angela Anderson.
How important is my credit score?
Don’t let a poor credit score keep you from applying. While we will look at your credit as part of the overall background investigation, we consider the whole picture. We’re looking for responsible people to join our ranks.
What about the physical fitness challenges? What is that like?
A full description of our Police Officer Physical Abilities Test can be found here.
What is the Police Academy like?
Greensboro Police Academy is a paramilitary training program more than 1,000 hours over 6 months. There are 2 Academy sessions hosted per year. Police recruits will attend classes on weekdays with a break for lunch. It is team-oriented training that blends physical fitness, academics and practical exercises to help you achieve your full potential as a police officer.
Do I have to live at the Police Academy?
No. Police recruits attend classes Monday-Friday with a break for lunch at our Public Safety Training Facility. Police and Fire Academies run concurrently, so that you will be training alongside other public safety professionals every day. No one lives on the campus, and you go home at the end of every day.
Do I get paid to attend Police Academy?
Yes. As a Police Recruit or Pre-hire, you will be offered full salary and benefits.
Do I have to have a 4-year degree? What educational requirements are there?
Applicants are required to have a high school diploma or GED. GPD offers financial incentives for applicants with a 2-year or 4-year degree.
Do I have to live in Greensboro?
Recruits and Greensboro Police Officers do not have to live in the city limits of Greensboro. However, we do encourage you to familiarize yourself thoroughly with our great city. Greensboro is a remarkable city filled with special people. Take the time to learn more about our history, our diversity and our amenities.
Can I go straight to being a detective or K9 officer?
No, Police Recruits will start their career with a minimum one year on patrol, primarily responding to 911 calls. From there, you can apply for promotions or transfers to join one of our many specialized units.
What’s the average starting salary?
Our starting salary for a Police Recruit is $55,000 during Police Academy. Annual salary is over $57,000 upon completing Police Academy. Lateral hiring salary is between $57,000 and $80,000 annually. Bonus pay is available as well as a signing bonus of at least $2,750.
What other benefits do police officers get?
Our patrol schedule is 4 days on, 4 days off, giving you an excellent work-life balance. Recruits start with 96 hours of paid sick time, 11 paid vacation days, and 13 paid holidays. We offer medical, dental, vision and supplemental life insurance plans.
How does Greensboro Police Department support parents, families, and caregivers?
At Greensboro Police Department, we support the whole family. After one year of service, six weeks of paid parental leave is available for those with new children. In addition, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides eligible employees with up to 12 workweeks of unpaid leave in a 12-month period. For mothers returning to work, we offer a lactation-friendly work environment, including a clean and private lactation room and sufficient breaks during the workday.
What’s the best part of the job?
Greensboro Police officers are a part of a family who support and guide them as they progress through an exciting career. Recruits love working with the people of Greensboro in our gorgeous city.
How can I get started?
Take the first step. Fill out a City of Greensboro application now.