Thank you for your interest in employment with the Horry County Police Department. At your convenience, you may periodically check Horry County Government’s website, www.horrycounty.org, click on the employment tab, and view all posted job vacancies at any given time. Horry County Government Human Resources will only accept employment applications when a job vacancy is posted as vacant for any given job. In fact, Horry County Government no longer accepts resumes, or hand-written employment applications. Applications can only be submitted through the www.horrycounty.org website in response to any posted job vacancy.
The Horry County Police Department conducts new-hire evolutions on an as needed basis. We do not conduct “scheduled” new-hire assessments; therefore, individually informing potential candidates of when the next new-hire evolution will occur is impossible. Your best chance of discovering when we post a job vacancy and submitting your application for employment is to periodically check the www.horrycounty.org website. Horry County Government also advertises job vacancies in The Sun News; our local newspaper.
I have listed the minimum qualifications for the position of patrol officer for your convenience:
- High school graduate or equivalent diploma certification. An Associates or Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice and/or two years law enforcement experience is preferred.
- Must successfully complete the certification requirements of the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy. Currently a 12 week program for uncertified candidates.
- Must have a valid South Carolina driver’s license with no prior convictions, guilty pleas, or pleas of nolo contendere in the previous five years for DUI.
- Must not have any prior convictions, guilty pleas, or pleas of nolo contendere for criminal domestic violence, or any felony or crime of moral turpitude.
- Must be in good health.
- Must be able to maintain a required level of proficiency in the use of firearms.
- Must pass SLED background investigation protocol to successfully complete NCIC Computer Terminal Operator training.
- Must be at least twenty-one years of age.
The entry-level salary for a Class I patrol officer is $34,426.00 annually. This includes the assignment of a take home patrol vehicle and comprehensive health, medical and life insurance package. The Horry County Police Department does not compensate for any prior police experience or shift differential.
Applicants that currently possess a valid South Carolina, class I certified police officer’s certificate, do not have to attend basic training at the Criminal Justice Academy. Applicants that currently possess an out of State police officer’s certification will, at a minimum, have to attend six weeks of training at the SC Criminal Justice Academy.
I hope this answers most, if not all, your questions. If not, feel free to contact me in the office during business hours. Once again, thank you for your interest in the Horry County Police Department.
Lt. John Harrelson
Administrative Division
Horry County Police Department