Police Officer

Fairfax County; Fairfax (VA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus

Pre-Academy Recruit training

Job summary

Fairfax County Police Department invites motivated individuals to apply for the Police Officer Recruit role. Earn a $15,000 sign-on bonus and complete pre-academy recruit training while preparing to protect and serve Fairfax County.

The department emphasizes ethics, integrity, and community engagement as core values. Candidates must meet basic qualifications, complete police recruit training, and hold a valid driver’s license.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required for eligibility.
• Successful completion of police recruit training or academy.
• Valid driver’s license at time of appointment.
• Preferred: Associate degree or 60 credits toward a degree.
• Prior law enforcement or military experience is valued.
• Proficiency in a foreign language is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Patrols assigned areas to maintain law and order.
• Responds to emergencies as directed by dispatch.
• Takes appropriate action in emergencies and follows SOPs.
• Investigates incidents and gathers information for reports.
• Prepares case reports and testifies in court when required.
• May train newly sworn officers in daily duties.
• Builds community relationships and conducts public safety outreach.

Skills

Communication skills

Physical fitness

Critical thinking

Public service mindset

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate degree or 60 credits towards degree

Job description

Job Announcement

$15,000 Sign-on BONUS and paid Pre-Academy Recruit training

The Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) is looking for individuals to join our team to provide law enforcement and public safety services to the community in Fairfax County.

About the Department

The FCPD is comprised of employees and volunteers who possess the highest standards of ethics and integrity which creates the foundation of our ability to deliver a variety of essential police services to protect and serve all members of our community. Our department provides ethical leadership by engagement with the community to; prevent and fight crime, improve the culture of safety at work and in the community, which preserves the sanctity of all human life, and keeps pace with urbanization. Fairfax County possesses a stellar reputation nationally as the safest jurisdiction of our size among the top fifty major cities. We accomplish this through robust partnerships with all members of our uniquely diverse community.

Some duties and skills include:

• Acts to enforce criminal laws, traffic regulations and maintain public order.
• Patrol designated area utilizing police vehicle or other means.
• Conducts criminal and vehicle accident investigations.
• Effects arrests and testifies in court.
• Knowledge of modern methods and practices of criminal investigation and identification.
• Knowledge of departmental rules and regulations.
• Knowledge of the geography of the county.
• Skilled in the use of firearms.
• Ability to effectively communicate with persons of all ages and walks of life.
• Ability to remember names, faces, and details.
• Ability to comprehend and execute complex oral and written directions.
• Ability to exercise good judgment in stressful situations.
• Good physical condition.
• Keen sense of observation.
• Ability to maintain a high level of ethical standards.
• Ability to demonstrate a high level of integrity at all times.

Note:

Police officers work a varied shift schedule as follows (shift hours are subject to change):

• Day shift: 5:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.;
• Evening shift: 1:30 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.;
• Midnight shift: 7:30 p.m. - 7:00 a.m.;
• Workdays alternate weekly (1st week, Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 2nd week Wednesday and Thursday)
• Incumbents are considered emergency essential services personnel requiring that they report on their scheduled day, or may be called back to work, should a manmade or natural disaster or emergency arise.

Note: Academy Training is primarily Monday – Friday 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Salary will be determined within pay grade based upon relevant preferred qualifications such as: prior law enforcement experience, college degree, military experience, foreign language proficiency and prior participation in the Fairfax County Police Department’s Public Safety Apprentice program or Police Cadet programs.

Opportunity to transfer VRS (Virginia Retirement System) into Fairfax County Retirement System (FCRS).

This position includes a signing bonus for fully qualified new county employees in the amount of $15,000.

The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusivelist. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position job description.

Patrols an assigned area by car or foot to maintain law and order;

Responds to emergencies as directed by mobile display terminal, radio, or telephone;

Uses radio and computer-aided dispatch equipment;

Takes appropriate action in emergency situations in accordance with the Department's Standard Operating Procedures and training;

Investigates unusual or suspicious conditions, traffic crashes, or incidents;

Responds to various types of alarms;

Makes arrests and maintains custody of those arrested;

Interview suspects;

Gives testimony in court on actions taken during arrests and investigations in criminal matters;

Prepares reports on investigations, offenses, arrests, and activities using computer-based programs;

Administers first aid to injured persons and other employees as a first responder;

Investigates a wide variety of criminal offenses;

Responds to crime scenes, accident scenes and other traumatic events that involve death or serious physical injury;

Responds to and participates in investigations of serious crimes; acts as evidence collector/technician; fully investigates crimes not forwarded to a detective;

Identifies and preserves evidence at minor crime scenes;

Identifies and secures major crime scenes and maintains crime scene logs;

As assigned, participates in specialized vice and alcoholic beverage violation investigations and raids, ascertains information or secures evidence for the arrest of suspects, and searches for and apprehends criminal offenders;

May train newly sworn officers in the daily performance of their duties;

Performs public relations duties such as instructing citizens in crime prevention and personal safety techniques, and attends community events;

Builds and maintains relationships with residents and businesses located in their assigned Police Service Area;

Transports mental health clients to mental health facilities for treatment.

The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusivelist. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position job description.

Patrols an assigned area by car or foot to maintain law and order;

Responds to emergencies as directed by mobile display terminal, radio, or telephone;

Uses radio and computer-aided dispatch equipment;

Takes appropriate action in emergency situations in accordance with the Department's Standard Operating Procedures and training;

Investigates unusual or suspicious conditions, traffic crashes, or incidents;

Responds to various types of alarms;

Makes arrests and maintains custody of those arrested;

Interview suspects;

Gives testimony in court on actions taken during arrests and investigations in criminal matters;

Prepares reports on investigations, offenses, arrests, and activities using computer-based programs;

Administers first aid to injured persons and other employees as a first responder;

Investigates a wide variety of criminal offenses;

Responds to crime scenes, accident scenes and other traumatic events that involve death or serious physical injury;

Responds to and participates in investigations of serious crimes; acts as evidence collector/technician; fully investigates crimes not forwarded to a detective;

Identifies and preserves evidence at minor crime scenes;

Identifies and secures major crime scenes and maintains crime scene logs;

As assigned, participates in specialized vice and alcoholic beverage violation investigations and raids, ascertains information or secures evidence for the arrest of suspects, and searches for and apprehends criminal offenders;

May train newly sworn officers in the daily performance of their duties;

Performs public relations duties such as instructing citizens in crime prevention and personal safety techniques, and attends community events;

Builds and maintains relationships with residents and businesses located in their assigned Police Service Area;

Transports mental health clients to mental health facilities for treatment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to:

• High school graduation or a GED issued by a state department of education.
• Successful completion of police recruit training.
• Possession of a valid motor vehicle driver’s license at time of appointment.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associate or higher degree, or at least 60 credit hours towards a degree, from an accredited university or college.
• Prior law enforcement or military experience.
• Current law enforcement officer certification in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
• Professional working proficiency, or higher, in a foreign language or American Sign Language. Proficiency level to be evaluated.
• Proficiency level to be evaluated.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

(Contingent upon the area of assignment, some positions within this class may require specific certification prior to employment and/or the ability to acquire necessary certifications within a specified time period following employment. The certifications are identified in the position description and employment advertisement.)

By the end of the probationary period, must obtain the following:

• Certification as a Law Enforcement Officer by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services;
• Certification in the Virginia Crime Information Network (VCIN);
• Certification in firearms proficiency;
• Successful completion of Incident Command System 100;
• Successful completion of Incident Command System 700

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be a citizen of the United States; (or a permanent resident alien with an application for naturalization filed and pending with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services may be considered).
• Must be 20 years old, or within 180 days of 21st birthday at the time of academy start date, or currently a Police Cadet and within 180 days of 21st birthday at the time of academy start date.
• Must successfully complete a criminal background investigation, a polygraph examination, a psychological examination, and a physical ability test prior to appointment.
• Applicants selected must be able to obtain a Class A medical rating in the assigned medical group prior to starting work.
• Must be able to perform essential job functions (reasonable accommodation may be made on a case-by-case basis).
• Must have never committed, been involved in, or been convicted of, a felony or serious misdemeanor;
• Must be of good character and reputation;
• Incumbents shall not use any tobacco products on and off duty starting at the time of appointment.
• The incumbent must be willing to sign a Condition of Employment Agreement acknowledging the prohibition of the use of tobacco products both on and off duty.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Subsequent to a conditional job offer, applicants must complete a comprehensive medical examination, including drug testing and a vision standard not worse than 20/200, provided there have been at least three months of success wearing soft contact lenses. Must be able to perform essential job functions (reasonable accommodation may be made on a case-by-case basis).

SELECTION PROCEDURE:

Successful completion of all background requirements and final interview with the Personnel Resources Division Commander or his designee.

Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others.) We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity.

Please note:

Please review your supplemental questionnaire responses for completeness and accuracy prior to submission, as they are subject to verification. Do not assume that negative information in your background (e.g., employment, criminal) will result in your disqualification. However, intentionally providing false or incomplete information may be a basis for disqualification.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY 703-222-7314.

[e-mail] EEO/AA/TTY.

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