CMPD Graduates 58 Officers, Largest Recruit Class Since 2010
Published on April 22, 2024
Charlotte, N.C. – (Monday, April 22, 2024) – On Friday, April 19, 2024, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) announced the largest recruit class graduation since 2010. Recruit Class 196 graduated 58 members on Friday as the department is seeing an increase in hiring and expanded training academy classes to offset a sworn officer shortage. These newly sworn police officers have now been assigned throughout CMPD’s 13 Patrol Divisions where they will begin the 15-week Police Training Officer program.
This historic graduation is a major achievement for the CMPD as staffing and recruitment levels have dropped for law enforcement nationwide. Recruitment continues to be a top priority for the CMPD. The Recruitment and Training Bureau works tirelessly to attract candidates to join the ranks of the CMPD. In the first quarter of 2024, the CMPD has received nearly 900 sworn applications (up 86%) and has made 71 sworn hires (up 69%). This has helped reduce our overall officer shortage to 191 vacancies (down 20%). The department’s current staffing number includes police recruits who are employed by the CMPD but have not graduated from the Training Academy.
The dedicated recruitment team and command staff at the CMPD continue to explore all hiring avenues. CMPD’s recruitment efforts span nationwide with the recruitment team participating in events locally, regionally and across the country. These visits include career fairs at universities, community colleges and military bases, targeting young and motivated individuals. CMPD’s College Internship Program continues to be a direct pipeline into the position of police officer. Since its start in 2019, CMPD has hired close to 20 former college interns.
CMPD’s salary and incentives remain among the best in the region. CMPD continues to offer a $7,500 hiring bonus for all new officers. As of January 1, 2024, the starting salary for an officer before incentives is $57,192. Officers can earn up to $111,152 if they qualify for all incentives. In addition to existing education and military incentives, the department also expanded its 5% secondary language incentive to include 13 different languages. Another added incentive is a 2.5% shift differential bonus for employees permanently assigned to regular work on the second, third and fourth shifts.
CMPD will continue its strategic efforts to recruit, hire and retain talented law enforcement officers as well as develop the best recruitment and training staff in the country. New in 2024, the department will introduce a fourth recruit class in December, in addition to a yearly lateral recruit class this year.
At the graduation ceremony, CMPD announced a new season of “Journey to the Badge” that premiered on Sunday, April 21 on CMPD’s YouTube channel. This award-winning docuseries gives a behind the scenes look at the challenges and success that CMPD Recruit Class 196 faced on their journey to become fully sworn officers. A new episode will be released weekly on Sundays at 7 p.m. on CMPD’s YouTube channel. To view episode 1 of the series, click here: https://youtu.be/tB-IYHedCFc.
To view Friday’s graduation ceremony, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XV8um4JWA9Q.
For more information about job opportunities at CMPD and to start an application today visit www.JoinCMPD.com.
###
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, www.cmpd.org and www.JoinCMPD.com, is a progressive, technology-driven, metropolitan department that believes strongly in the principles of crime management, community collaboration, professional accountability and employee wellness. The department employs more than 1,900 sworn officers, 500 civilian employees and 500 volunteers. If the public has information about a crime, anonymous tips can be provided to Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or http://charlottecrimestoppers.com.