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Become a Police Officer
Do you want to do something worthwhile? Are you looking for a career that provides new and challenging situations daily? The Greenville Police Department is the place for hard-working men and women who thrive on challenges. There is no doubt that this can be a tough and unpredictable job, but it is also the most rewarding career you will ever have. Every day when you put on your uniform, you will go to work making life safer and more secure for your friends and neighbors.
To be considered for employment, all applicants must, at a minimum:
- Be at least 21 years of age
- Be a United States citizen
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent
- Have or be able to obtain a valid South Carolina driver's license
- Have not had a driver's license suspension during the last 5 years for DUI; leaving the scene of an accident; reckless homicide; or involuntary manslaughter
- Have never been convicted of a felony or domestic violence
- Have never been convicted of a crime of moral turpitude or a misdemeanor carrying a possible sentence of more than 1 year
- Have a good credit history
Steps in the hiring process include:
- Application
- All applicants must submit an application through the City of Greenville's jobs portal online. Due to the large number of applications we receive, the application for Police Officer is typically only open for 3-4 weeks at a time, and is posted quarterly.
- Physical Ability Test (PAT)
- This is required for admission into the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy and is the first test all applicants take after applying to the GPD. The course and all obstacles must be successfully completed in under 2 minutes and 6 seconds.
- Written Exam
- After passing the PAT, applicants immediately take the National Criminal Justice Officer Selection Inventory Exam. Applicants must score 70% or better on this exam.
- Interview Board
- After successfully completing the written exam, applicants are scheduled for an interview board in front of 3 GPD officers. The Board scores applicants based on their responses to a series of questions.
- Polygraph Exam
- All applicants who pass the interview board are scheduled for a polygraph examination.
- Drug Screen
- Applicants are given a drug screen during their pre-employment testing phase.
- Background Investigation
- A thorough background investigation is completed on all applicants. This includes (but is not limited to) contacting former and current employers and references, a credit check, and a criminal history check.
- Psychological Evaluation
- All applicants meet with a licensed psychologist, who makes a recommendation to the GPD about whether the candidate should advance in the hiring process.
- Medical Screenings
- Applicants meet with a physician at the Employee Health Center at City Hall and are given a comprehensive 2-part medical screening, which includes a vision and hearing test. Applicants cannot be colorblind and must meet the standard of 20/30 corrected in both eyes and 20/100 uncorrected in both eyes.
- Stress Test
- This is a cardiovascular fitness test designed to measure an applicant's aerobic capacity. The applicant runs on a treadmill while heart rate is measured.
Applicants must successfully complete each step in the process before being extended an offer of employment.
Once employed as a police officer with the Greenville Police Department, all new hires register to attend the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy (SCCJA) in Columbia, SC for 8 weeks. Prior to the 8-week class, recruits receive 4-6 weeks of training via the online SCCJA training program at their home agency, and then must pass a cumulative test on the material. They will also complete their initial firearms qualification, taser certification, and OC spray certification at their home agency before attending the SCCJA.
Certified officers from other states may qualify for a shortened 1-week class at SCCJA after receiving 2-3 weeks of training via the online SCCJA training program and qualifying with firearms, taser, and OC spray at their home agency.
The Greenville Police Department's Police Training Officer (PTO) program is 15-18 weeks (may be abbreviated for prior experience) and the probationary period is one year.
Starting Salary
Minimum Qualification |
Hourly Rate |
Annual Salary (43-hr work week) |
|---|---|---|
High school diploma |
$17.3702 |
$38,839.76 |
Associate's degree Qualified veteran |
$18.0650 |
$40,393.34 |
Bachelor's/Master's degree |
$18.7876 |
$42,009.07 |
Lateral/sworn officers |
- |
Salary based on prior experience and formal training. |
Language Incentive |
- |
Add 1 step after completion of training |
Salary Range
The Greenville Police Department utilizes three ranks for non-supervisory personnel: Police Officer 1 (PO1), Police Officer 2 (PO2), and Police Officer 3 (PO3). All new officers who have no police experience start out at the PO1 rank. Lateral officers may start at PO1, PO2, or PO3 based on years of experience and formal elective training.
Within each rank, salary ascends on a step program until the range maximum is met. Officers may be promoted to PO2 or PO3 after completion of the required years of service and attending additional training.
Promotions to Sergeant and Lieutenant are based on a competitive testing process.
| - | Range Minimum | Range Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| Police Officer 1 | $38,839.76 |
$50,517.94 |
| Police Officer 2 | $42,227.75 |
$56,022.98 |
| Police Officer 3 | $44,505.12 |
$69,548.48 |
| Sergeant | $50,574.07 |
$79,023.34 |
Benefits
- All new officers are full-time employees of the City of Greenville and receive their full salary and benefits during training and while attending the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy.
- Required uniforms and equipment are provided at no cost to officers
- Training is provided at no cost to officers
- Take home car program after successful completion of Field Training Program
- Tuition reimbursement up to $5,000 per fiscal year for approved undergraduate and graduate courses
- Employee wellness programs
- Employee Assistance Program
- Employee Health Center
- Free visits with a nurse practitioner at the Employee Health Center
- Comprehensive insurance & benefits plan
- Family/medical leave
- Military leave
- Longevity bonuses paid every 5th year
- 28-year retirement with pension
- Supplemental elective 401k/457k
- Retirement planning
- 11 (8-hour) holidays per year
- Annual leave time as follows:
- 1st year of employment: 13 days
- 2nd through 10th years: 18 days
- 11th through 20th years: 23 days
- 21st year and beyond: 28 days