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Recruiting Staff Lt R.T. Felder 803-545-4191 Officer M.A. Willis 803-545-3552 Officer N.D. Daniels 803-545-3551		Human Resources Ms L.H. Eller 803-545-3502

The Columbia Police Departments Core Values

Lead both personally and professionally
Execute duties with a sense of urgency
Act with integrity and respect for all citizens and colleagues
Demonstrate compassionate customer service
Exhibit accountability for your actions
Respect the laws you have sworn to uphold

OBTAINING APPLICATION FORMS
PICK-UP AN APPLICATION	ELECTRONIC APPLICATION
1225 Lady Street Columbia, SC 29217	*(Note: The Application and JPAT Test must be submitted together before it can be processed as a completed application)*
Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.	ADOBE READER REQUIRED
Get Driving Directions	STEP #1	STEP #2	STEP #3
	READ FIRST	Fill Out and Submit	Fill Out and Submit
	Instructions	CPD Application	JPAT Test

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

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

► 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

POLICE OFFICER CANDIDATE
(NON-CERTIFIED APPLICANT)
BEGINNING SALARY: $30, 192.51

Increases upon graduation from the Criminal Justice Academy as follows:

$31,802.31 with High School Diploma
$32,438.36 with an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice
$34,028.48 with a Bachelor Degree in any related field

POLICE OFFICER (CERTIFIED APPLICANT)

$34,028.48 with South Carolina Certification of at least one (1) year
$32,597.38 with Out-of-State Certification of at least one (1) year

** Additional Increases for speaking a second language

$31,961.32 upon graduation from the Criminal Justice Academy
$32,597.38 with AS Criminal Justice Degree or (1) year Out of State Certification
$34,187.49 with BA in any related field or SC Certification of at least (1) year

BENEFITS

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

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)