Recruitment

PROTECT & SERVE AT THE BEACH

Join the MBPD Today!

Working for the Myrtle Beach Police Department is more than just another day in the office — it is the opportunity to make a difference, protect your community, and be a part of a mission.

A career with MBPD presents new challenges every day, career satisfaction, opportunities to excel and grow, competitive benefits and salary, and the excitement of being called to a higher honor.

If you can see yourself facing new challenges every day and making a difference, then a job with the MBPD is for you. Answer the call to a higher honor today.

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If you’re interested in applying to become a Myrtle Beach Police officer, enter your information below and someone from our department will reach out to you with more info on joining the force!

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We’re committed to a diverse workplace.

The Myrtle Beach Police Department serves a diverse area and fosters a diverse workforce. We are people of the community and for the community that work together to promote equality and justice for all. The City of Myrtle Beach is an Equal Opportunity Employer and, as such, will recruit and hire employees without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, political affiliation, or disability, except when physical condition is a bona fide occupational qualification.

THE BENEFITS

The rewards are worth the work.

The rewards of working with us go well beyond a paycheck. In addition to the satisfaction of knowing you’ve helped serve a great community of locals — and more than 20 million visitors per year — MBPD also offers a generous benefits package which includes:

Take Home Vehicle Program
Full Medical Insurance Package
Access to Family Health Clinic
Annual Merit or Pay Increases*
Health & Wellness Incentives
Paid Vacation Time
Holiday Pay, even if you don’t work the holiday
Degree Differential up to $3,000**
Education Reimbursement

*Based on city council yearly budget review/ approval.

**Degree Differential Associates- $1,000 Bachelors – $2,000, Masters, and above – $3,000

Relocation Incentive up to $4,000
Paid Sick Leave
PORS/SCRS Retirement
Free 24/7 Gym Membership
Holiday Bonus*
Overtime Opportunities
Annual Fluent Second Language Bonus- $1,000/ Year

Salary Details

Starting salaries for MBPD are very competitive with others in the region. Salaries to be adjusted July 1, 2024 for a cost of living adjustment (Pending City Council Approval):

Salaries as of July 1, 2024.

Certified Officer Starting At: $61,692.80 (Increases based on experience & training)
Non-Certified Officer (Police Recruit): $59,113.60/year
Detention / Dispatch: $52,124.80/year
Community Service Officer: $38,376.00/year
Records Clerk: $40,124.24/year

First-year officer (or recruit after certification) earnings potential before any OT 12 hour shift schedule:

Base salary $61,692.80

Bachelor’s Degree* $2,000

Holiday Pay $3,674.40

Holiday Bonus** $1,224.80

Shift Briefing pay*** $1,492.79

Memorial Day bonus**** $200

Shoe allowance $140

TOTAL before any overtime: $70,424.79

Note:

This is an example based on current pay rates for a full calendar year and individual results may vary.

*Bachelor degree incentive is $2,000 added to base salary upon review and approval by HR.

** Holiday bonus is one week’s pay for those hired before July 1^st of the year the bonus is paid. If you are hired from July 1^st-September 1^st it is a half a week’s pay. Bonus is subject to annual council approval.

*** Paid 15 minute briefing per 12 hour shift (12.25 hour shift) for those assigned to patrol and special operations.

**** Officers working Memorial Day Weekend receive $50 per day above their regular or overtime pay for each day worked from Thursday night to Monday day shift Memorial Day Weekend subject to council approval each year.

Currently certified officers qualify for up to a 10% higher starting salary and they also qualify to test for promotion to Police Officer First Class after 6 months of certified service with MBPD. Promotion to PFC includes a 5% pay increase.

Lots of overtime opportunities are available to include most overtime assignments being paid at time and a half without being subject to any threshold hours or annual leave usage. Off duty details are available at $45-50 an hour.

HOW TO APPLY

Ready to apply? Here’s how it works.

We’re not going to lie, becoming a police officer isn’t easy. But you didn’t come here looking for easy. You came here to make a difference in the community and join one of the most rewarding professions there is. If you think you’ve got what it takes to protect and serve and you’re ready to take on the challenge then follow the steps below.

1. Check your Eligibility

Before you apply, you’ll need to make sure you meet the prerequisites for joining the MBPD including:

Minimum requirements

US. Citizen (Born or Naturalized)
High School Graduate or G.E.D. Equivalency
At least 21 years of age (Exception: Community Service Officer & Detention Officer – 18 years of age)
Possess a valid driver’s license (Police and Detention only)

Prerequisites

No felony convictions or convictions for crimes of moral turpitude
Good driving history (Recent DUIs or suspensions will disqualify you from the process.)
Registered for the Selective Service Process if you are a male and between the ages of 18 to 26

Additional Requirements

Medical Physical Examination to include Drug Testing
Psychological Examination (Police and Detention only)
Willingness to work shifts, weekends, holidays and natural disasters, such as hurricanes or tornadoes.
Candidates must be available to work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. (Exception: Records Clerk)

2. Apply to Join MBPD

Before you apply, you’ll need to make sure you meet the prerequisites for joining the MBPD including:

Application Process

Complete the City of Myrtle Beach Application online for the position you would like to apply for.
Positions include: Certified Police Officer (police officers who have already been through training with another force), Police Officer Recruit (new individuals looking to join the police force), Detention Officer, Community Service Officer, Communications Officer, and more.
Submit credit history

Testing Process

To join the MBPD in a Police Officer role, the testing requirements are as follows. To see further details on other roles click the corresponding button below.

This written exam focuses on 4 components — arithmetic, grammar, reading comprehension and report writing. An essay portion will also be required. The National Police Officer Selection Test is graded immediately after all applicants have finished the test.
The physical agility course must be completed within 2:06 minutes or less and is a requirement of the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy. This test will be taken immediately following the written test. See video of the course.

Interview Process

Interviews will be scheduled by the recruiting coordinator and are conducted in person. The interviews are done by a panel of police officers and city staff, and the questions are based on the core competencies of the position of Police Officer.
After the interview process, the best-qualified candidates will be given a conditional offer of employment and asked to come to Myrtle Beach to complete additional testing, including a psychological test, a polygraph, a written test, and a physical exam

3. Officer Training

Before beginning your career as an MBPD officer you’ll need to complete the following training:

Pre-Service Training

After the initial employment offer has been made, the department places new officers in a pre-service training program which includes the first four weeks of the Police Academy Training in Myrtle Beach.
The new officer will attend a legal course, driving course, firearms qualifications, and various other courses.

Police Academy Training

Upon completion of our pre-service program, officers will attend the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy (SCCJA) in Columbia, SC for the remaining eight weeks of Academy Training to become certified police officers.

Out-Of-State Certification

Certificate of Completion (Basic Training Course Certificate)
Curriculum/Syllabus showing hours and topics of training (Must be official document from academy/military training)

Apply Now!

ABOUT THE BEACH

Work where others play.

When you choose to serve with the Myrtle Beach Police Department, you’ll work to protect one of the biggest and best vacation destinations in the world.

Myrtle Beach isn’t just a beach. It’s The Beach.

Families, couples and those in search of a warm welcome will find more than just a day at The Beach when they come together to connect and enjoy vibrant entertainment and family attractions, world-class golf, and excellent dining.

Myrtle Beach is home to the iconic Boardwalk, Broadway at the Beach, SkyWheel, and more.

Learn More