NC police flooded with applications in bad economy

RALEIGH — The economy has apparently boosted the number of people considering jobs in law enforcement in North Carolina.

Police departments in Raleigh and Durham say they’re getting more applications for jobs this year than in 2008.

The News & Observer of Raleigh reported Tuesday that Raleigh has more than 1,000 applications for 52 positions this year. That compares with 500 applications this time last year.

Durham averages about 170 applications per year. It already has had 188 people test for 14 vacancies this year.

In Raleigh, officers start out earning between $34,000 and $53,000, depending on experience, training and education.

Durham officers’ salaries start from $33,000 to $40,000.

Raleigh Sgt. Travis Keith says his department may stop taking applications because of the surge.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)