Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) Cadet Program.

Individuals interested in working for the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office who have not completed/are in the process of completing Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) are encouraged to apply!

Candidates selected for the position of Sheriff’s Deputy Trainee must complete basic law enforcement training (BLET) to be certified as a law enforcement officer. The sheriff’s office sends trainees to the Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (A-B Tech) BLET academy. The academy is 18-20 weeks long and covers 34 instruction blocks. Cadets with the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office are paid employees of the sheriff’s office while attending the academy.  Health insurance benefits begin on the first day of the month following your start date.
 
Individuals interested in applying to attend BLET as an employee of the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office or for those seeking employment while currently attending BLET are encouraged to apply and contact our recruiter, Detective Brookshire

Automatic Disqualifiers:

• No marijuana usage in 12 months prior to the date of application

• Must not have used any illegal drugs, other than marijuana, during the 5 years prior to the date of application

• Illegal selling or distribution of any drug

• No DWI within the last 5 years

• No misdemeanor conviction in the last 5 years

Purpose of the position:

This position is responsible for performing specialized law enforcement work as a uniformed patrol deputy to protect lives, property and rights of citizens of the county.

Minimum Education, Training and/or Experience:

High School diploma or equivalent and completion of NC BLET Course; Must be 21 years of age.

Additional Training and Experience: None

License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation:

Certification as a law enforcement officer in accordance with the North Carolina Sheriffs' Training and Standards Commission, BLET Certified. Possession of a valid driver’s license issued by the State of North Carolina.

Essential Functions of the position:

• Patrol assigned area of the County; inspect troublesome areas and check security of business establishments; answer complaint calls and assist in investigating crimes and disturbances; interview witnesses; gather evidence; interrogate suspects and makes arrests; prepare investigation reports.

• Locate designated parties to serve legal papers such as summons, warrants, capiases, commitment papers, and special court orders; make arrests when necessary.

• Appear in court as a witness to give testimony.

• Cooperate with law enforcement officers of other governmental units in making investigations and arrest.

• Assist with community outreach.

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Knowledge of modern law enforcement practices and procedures

• Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws pertaining to law enforcement work

• Knowledge of the locations of streets, roads, highways and the geography and socioeconomic characteristics of the county

• Knowledge of the content and purpose of legal papers and the practices involved in serving them

• Some knowledge of the standard practices, materials, techniques, and equipment associated with the Patrol Division

• Skill in the use of firearms and other law enforcement equipment

• Ability to exercise sound judgment in emergency and routine situations and to adopt quick, effective and reasonable courses of action

• Ability to apply interpretation of laws to specific situations

• Ability to prepare clear and concise reports

• Ability to present court testimony effectively

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.

Buncombe County Government realizes the importance of a diverse professional workforce and the need to foster a responsive and innovative organizational culture, one that fully engages all of our employees, honoring and building on each employee's unique experiences, opinions, and perspective.

It is the policy of Buncombe County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, natural hair or hairstyles, ethnicity, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin or ancestry, marital or familial status, pregnancy, veteran status, religious belief or non-belief, age, or disability or any other legally protected class under federal or NC State law. EEO practices and employment decisions regarding recruitment, hiring, assignment, promotion and compensation shall not be based on any of these protected classes. In addition, the County expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment or discrimination.