Application Process

Before starting the application process, applicants are encouraged to review our Frequently Asked Questions page to answer any questions you may have about the hiring process.

RPD is an equal opportunity employer (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission). All applicants must meet the basic eligibility requirements before being considered to participate in the process.

Step One: Download and READ application packet. Complete the application kit that pertains to you.

Basic Academy application kit
Lateral Academy application kit
The Raleigh Police Department is always accepting lateral application packets for employment. The academy date is set based upon the number of lateral applicants that apply. Applicants can always apply in person (walk-in).

See the Academy Info tab for start dates, closing dates and academy start dates.

Step Two: Gather all supporting documents including criminal and driving records.

Certified copies of driving record, criminal record checks and civil record checks for all counties you have resided in as an adult. This includes out-of-state records. Driving records can be obtained from the Department of Motor Vehicles of each state a driver's license has been held. Criminal record checks can be obtained from the Clerk of Courts office of each county you have resided in as an adult or from the state police of each state you have resided in (military records will be obtained by the Recruiter).
Certified copies of all citations, criminal summons and warrants for arrest that have been issued to or for you.

A complete list of required documents is enclosed in each application kit/packet and should be mailed along with the completed kit.

Step Three: Mail in the application packet.

Using the checklist in the application kit will ensure you have completed the application and obtained the required supporting documents. Make a copy of the entire packet for yourself before mailing in case it is lost in the mail.

Please make sure that your application packet is accurate and complete. Failure to do so could result in disqualification from the hiring process. Mail the required documents in a 10" x 13" envelope to: Raleigh Police Department's Recruitment Office, 6716 Six Forks Road, Room #331, Raleigh, NC 27615.

Applications will be held until the closing dates. A cursory review of application packets for disqualifiers will be completed prior to scheduling the reading comprehension exam and physical ability test.

Step Four: Review of packet.

The Recruitment Office will review each applicant's packet for disqualifiers (employment standards) related to criminal charges, credit issues and drug usage. These set disqualifiers are not released to the public to ensure truthfulness from applicants when they submit an application.

Upon reviewing each file, a letter will be sent to any applicant that does not meet the basic eligibility requirements and/or has disqualifiers that would prevent employment with the Department.

Step Five: Phase 1 of the Pre-employment Process (arrive 30 minutes early)

The Recruitment Office will contact applicants to schedule a date/time to take a reading comprehension exam mandated by the State of North Carolina and a physical ability test based upon the Cooper's Institute Test (Cooper's Institute guidelines). Applicants will be required to present a valid photo ID card and/or driver's license that lists your current residence at the time of testing.

OUT-OF-STATE APPLICANTS: The Recruiter that contacts out-of-state applicants will attempt to coordinate a schedule that will limit frequent trips to the area for this process. The scheduled appointments may include reading comprehension, physical ability test and/or polygraph examination.

Reading Comprehension Exam & Physical Ability Testing site locations: (arrive 30 minutes early)

Reading Comprehension Exam: Must score at or above the tenth grade level, or the equivalent
- Recruitment Office – 6716 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, NC 27615
- Police Training Center – 4205 Spring Forest Road, Raleigh, NC 27616
Physical Ability Test
- Police Training Center – 4205 Spring Forest Road, Raleigh, NC 27616

Dress Attire for:

Reading Comprehension Test only: Business Casual (no jeans, no tennis shoes)
Physical Ability Test only: appropriate p/t gear (t-shirt, shorts, sweat pants, etc.) and tennis shoes (no tank tops or visible sports bras)
Reading Comprehension Test & Physical Ability Test together: appropriate p/t gear (t-shirt, shorts, sweat pants, etc) and tennis shoes (no tank tops or visible sports bras)

Must have a valid driver's license at the time of testing for identity verification before test is administered.

IMPORTANT: Once the Recruiter has confirmed with applicants a date/time scheduled for a reading comprehension exam and/or a physical ability test, it is the applicant's responsibility to cancel if they cannot make the appointment to avoid being disqualified.

Candidates must successfully pass the reading comprehension exam and pass the physical ability test (a rating of fair or above is passing for the physical ability test).

Step Six: Phase 2 of the Pre-employment Process (arrive 30 minutes early)

Review of your test results and application packet by the Recruitment Department's Command Staff. Candidates will be contacted by a Recruiter who will coordinate the following (not in any specific order):

Initial interviews with applicants (1-2 hours)
Polygraph exam (minimum 3-4 hours to accommodate a written essay and obtaining a photo of each applicant). Click here for some helpful tips.
Conduct background investigations
Contact your current/former employers and references
Assemble a background summary to be reviewed by the Recruitment Department's Command Staff

Dress attire:

Professional business attire is required for applicants coming into the Recruitment Office for an initial interview and polygraph exam in Phase 2 of the pre-employment process.

Step Seven: Phase 3 of the Pre-employment Process (arrive 15 minutes early)

Oral Board with Command Staff

Once the applicant successfully completes the oral board, the agency may decide to issue a "conditional offer" to proceed to the following steps:

Psychological exam
Medical exam and drug screening
Fingerprints: At some point in the application process you are required to be fingerprinted. You will be notified to go to Room C-295 (CCBI) of the Wake County Public Safety Center to be fingerprinted. Live scan prints will be made and you must return one card to us on the same day. CCBI conducts fingerprinting Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. (except holidays).

Dress attire:

Professional business attire is required for applicants coming into the Recruitment Office for Phase 3 of the pre-employment process.

Step Eight: Phase 4 of the Pre-employment Process

Final candidates' background summaries will be presented to the Chief of Police for hire. Employment dates will be determined by the needs of the Department, vacancy levels, and/or the selected academy dates.

Final candidates will be required to attend City orientation prior to employment with our agency to review benefits.

Any questions please contact the Recruitment Office 919-996-1343 or email us at: rpdrecruitment@raleighnc.gov. Once you have been assigned to a recruiter, please refer all questions to that person.

REMINDER: Once again, applicants may be disqualified from the application process at different stages of the process due to not successfully passing a phase of the process or applicants not being "completely" truthful (full disclosure) during the pre-employment process.