Salary & Benefits

For Trainees

Trainees will be paid $28.58/hour ($59,446.40/year) while they are in BLET. Upon graduating BLET and becoming sworn they will receive an increase with a new salary of $28.66/hour or $62,593.44/year.

For Lateral Transfers

Lateral Transfers can receive a salary between $28.66/hour ($62,593.44/year) and $44.42/hour ($97,013.28/year) depending on their years of experience as a sworn police officer. Salary determination is at the discretion of the Chief of Police taking into consideration internal equity and the candidate's experience level. The WPD is also currently offering a $25,000 sign-on bonus for qualified lateral transfers. 

All uniforms and equipment are provided by the agency.


Officer Benefits

  • Education Incentive Pay
    • BA or BS Degree: $2,000 annual add pay.
    • AS or AA Degree: $1,000 annual add pay.
  • 4.5% of salary employer contribution to 401(k) or 457 plans regardless of employee contribution. In addition, the City contributes an additional 5% of the salary to the LEO 401(k) plan for all Sworn Law Enforcement Officers. This is a total of 9.5%. 
  • NC Local Governmental Employees' Retirement System
  • Medical insurance
  • Dental insurance
  • Employer-paid life insurance for employees
  • Employer-paid accidental death insurance and long-term dismemberment
  • Supplemental retirement program
  • Flexible spending accounts
  • Vacation, sick, holiday, civil and military leaves
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Separation allowance
  • Uniforms
  • Bloodborne pathogen protection
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Take Home Car Program