The Town of Matthews offers a comprehensive benefits package including bilingual incentive pay, vacation and sick leave, increased vacation accrual for qualified service with another government agency, shared sick leave, medical insurance, paid parental leave, health reimbursement account (HRA), dental plan, vision insurance, North Carolina Local Government Employees Retirement Plan, 457 and 401K Retirement Accounts, flexible medical & dependent care spending accounts, EAP, group and voluntary life insurance & AD&D, short-term disability, long-term disability, accident plans, hospital indemnity plans, and critical illness insurance, and tuition reimbursement.

FLSA Status: Exempt

Full Position Salary Grade Range: $92,115 - $142,779

If selected for the position, the hiring pay range is $92,115 - $117,447 (based on qualifications and experience)

The application period for the Matthews Police Department – Police Captain Recruitment process will be open from Monday, June 1, 2026, to Wednesday, July 1, 2026. Selected candidates chosen to move forward in the hiring process will participate in an assessment center in August. Further details of the assessment center and a schedule of events will be emailed to those selected candidates once confirmed.

MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR POLICE CAPTAIN EMPLOYMENT WITH THE TOWN OF MATTHEWS

With our ultimate goal of keeping our city safe, the Matthews Police Department is dedicated to attracting, recruiting, training, and developing employees who meet and maintain our strong hiring standards. As such, applicants who have a history of unethical or immoral behavior will not be hired.

Applicants for the position of Police Captain must meet the minimum standards set forth by the Department of Justice - Minimum Standards for Criminal Justice Employment. Background will be looked at very closely and all candidates offered employment will be subjected to an intensive background evaluation.

SWORN PERSONNEL AUTOMATIC DISQUALIFIERS

Committed or been convicted of:
1. a felony; or
2. a crime for which the punishment could have been imprisonment for more than two years; or
3. a crime or unlawful act defined as a Class B misdemeanor within five years prior to the date of application for employment; or
4. four or more crimes or unlawful acts defined as Class B misdemeanors regardless of the date of conviction; or
5. four or more crimes or unlawful acts defined as Class A misdemeanors; except the applicant may be employed if the last conviction occurred more than two years prior to the date of application for employment; or
6. any domestic violence offense (including, but not limited to, Assault, Battery, Telephone Misuse, False Imprisonment, Stalking, etc.);
Ineligibility under Federal or North Carolina State law to possess or carry a firearm;
Any use of Heroin, Methamphetamine, Morphine, Opium, LSD, PCP, or other dangerous drugs;
Any use of “club drugs” such as GHB, MDMA (ecstasy), or any other illegal hallucinogen drug not listed here within seven (7) years;
Any use of cocaine or any derivative of it within seven (7) years;
Any use of marijuana, including legal marijuana derivatives, bi-products, or concentrates, within 12 months of application. ** Please note that while some states have decriminalized marijuana, it is still federally illegal and police officers are expected to adhere to all laws and regulations, on and off duty;
Been convicted or otherwise found guilty of selling, manufacturing, or distributing a controlled dangerous substance, narcotic drug, or marijuana;
Ever illegally sold, produced, cultivated, distributed, or transported a controlled dangerous substance, narcotic drug, or marijuana;
Being involuntarily terminated from a previous law enforcement position whether sworn or civilian;
For any conviction equivalent to North Carolina Motor Vehicle Law, (Impaired Driving) within 5 years of application;
Discharge from military service with less than “General under Honorable Conditions.”

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

(The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the class.)

This position may be subject to rotational supervisory assignments across multiple divisions within the police department. These rotations are designed to support organizational needs while promoting professional growth, skill enhancement, and leadership development. The job description will outline a range of duties and responsibilities reflective of functions across multiple divisions. This position will not be responsible for each division's functions concurrently; however, duties will align with the specific division to which the individual is assigned at any given time.

Supervise all activities associated with the patrol, investigative services, support services, and/or administrative services; determine priorities and needed resources; make assignments; provide operational advice; resolve and troubleshoot administrative and professional procedures; organize work and staff in concert with departmental goals and objectives; ensure compliance with all departmental standards, rules, and practices.
Supervise all activities associated with daily operational processes of the department, to include budget management, review of reports and case progress, provide advice and resources to further case completion, coordinate activities with other law enforcement agencies; coordinate case preparation with the District Attorney’s office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Ability to supervise patrol, community policing, crime prevention, recruitment, training, professional standards, and criminal investigations divisions, School Resource programs, K-9 teams, accreditation, and staff for the department; ensure quality of work, community acceptance, and adherence to department standards.
Handle citizen concerns and issues; respond to complaints on Departmental services and activities; conduct internal investigations.
Supervise staff engaged in a wide variety of law enforcement activities through subordinate supervisors; provide technical guidance, performance coaching and evaluation; participate in and/or coordinate hiring process including testing, interviews, and background investigations; recommend employee promotions and salary adjustments; take and/or recommend disciplinary actions; perform internal investigations; and ensure proper training and certification of all assigned staff.
Assist the Police Chief in recruiting, selecting, and training personnel; advise, direct, and consult with subordinate officers on matters of training, work assignments, scheduling, and discipline; coordinate rookie and field training, in-service training, and recertification programs.
Research and recommend departmental policies.
Analyze crime trends and allocate staff and resources accordingly; coordinate off-duty work.
Coordinate the maintenance of the vehicle fleet.
Represent the department at various functions and in the community.
May direct Departmental activities in the absence of the Chief.
Oversee the proper maintenance, distribution, and destruction of evidence.
Perform all duties and essential functions of subordinate officers.
May perform the duties of a Police Officer.
Perform related duties, as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

(The knowledge, skills, and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)

Thorough knowledge of law enforcement management, substantial judgment, and independent initiative.
Thorough knowledge of the laws and regulations relating to law enforcement administration.
Thorough knowledge of departmental rules and regulations, Town laws, and ordinances.
Thorough knowledge of the geography of the Town and the location of important buildings.
Thorough knowledge of modern law enforcement techniques, principles, and procedures.
Thorough knowledge of Federal, State, and local laws and ordinances pertaining to law enforcement operations and investigative procedures.
Thorough knowledge of investigative procedures, principles, strategies, and methods.
Thorough knowledge of supervisory functions and skills, including leadership, motivation, communication, performance coaching and evaluation, and conflict resolution.
Thorough knowledge of the community policing concept and de-escalation tactics.
Work involves frequent public contact, which requires tact, firmness, and decisiveness.
Ability to deal with the public firmly and tactfully.
Ability to analyze complex police problems and to adopt quick and effective reasonable courses of action.
Ability to operate personal computers, including some knowledge of applicable software packages.
Skill in the use of firearms and other law enforcement equipment and in the application of self-defense and de-escalation tactics.
Ability to work calmly under conditions of high stress and physical and emotional fatigue.
Ability to prepare clear and concise records and reports.
Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written form and to present effectively in court testimony.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, Town Officials, citizens, community leaders, and the general public.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions of climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, and performing repetitive motions.
Must be able to perform medium work exerting 50 pounds of force occasionally, 20 pounds of force frequently, and 10 pounds of force constantly to carry or move objects in various lifting positions, such as overhead, chest height, etc.
Must possess the visual acuity to operate a police vehicle and distinguish details and differences when observing people, places, or things on patrol.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Must be conscious of safety methods to avoid injury to others and themselves; May be subject to hazards in law enforcement work including working in both inside and outside environments, in extreme hot and cold weather, and exposure to various hazards to include but not limited to dangerous persons, heavy traffic, loud noises, and hazardous spills with fumes, oils, gases, and flammable liquids. This position is subject to all State and Federal OSHA regulations, including, but not limited to the following: bloodborne pathogens, hazard communication/GHS, personal protective equipment, slips, trips, and falls, etc.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

An Associate’s Degree with coursework in Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement, Public Administration, or a closely related field is required. A Bachelor’s Degree is preferred.
At least ten (10) years of experience as a full-time sworn officer, with at least three (3) years of experience as a Lieutenant OR one (1) year of experience as a Captain or higher.

CERTIFICATE AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

Must possess or be able to obtain a valid North Carolina Driver's License within 60 days of employment with a safe driving record. (If you possess a South Carolina Driver’s License and maintain residence in South Carolina, you are not required to obtain a North Carolina Driver’s License).
Must have successfully completed Basic Law Enforcement Training and currently be certified to work as a sworn law enforcement officer in North Carolina (or must be able to obtain NC BLET certification within one (1) year of hire). Out-of-state transfers must be able to successfully complete the reciprocity process and requirements through NCDOJ outlined at https://ncdoj.gov/law-enforcement-training/criminal-justice/officer-certification-programs/law-enforcement-certification-applicants/.
Must be able to meet and maintain the minimum training, experience, and compliance requirements for the position as established by the Town and the State of North Carolina, including but not limited to the ability to obtain the credential of a sworn law enforcement officer, as issued by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission, within one (1) year of hire.
An Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate issued by the North Carolina Justice Training and Standards Commission is required or must be able to obtain within three (3) years after hire.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The Town of Matthews requires background checks to be conducted on the final candidate(s) applying for any position with the Town of Matthews. For this position, final candidates must pass a background process including, but not limited to, work history verification, professional/personal reference checks, social media, financial review, polygraph, pre-employment drug screening and physical, psychological evaluation, criminal background, driving record checks, and firearms qualification, with final approval by the Police Chief and Human Resources. During the selection process, candidates may be asked to take a skills test and/or participate in other assessments.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

All job requirements are subject to possible revision to reflect changes in the position requirements or to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

The Town is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Town of Matthews provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and job applicants and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws in all terms and conditions of employment.

The Town of Matthews is an at-will employer.

Town of Matthews

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