Police Officer I

City of Alexandria, Virginia; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Signing bonus

Tuition assistance

Professional training & development

Job summary

The City of Alexandria, Virginia seeks entry‑level Police Officer candidates for a long‑term law enforcement career with the Alexandria Police Department.

Starting salary is $75,000 with progression under the City pay plan; top salary currently is $114,552. A $5,000 signing bonus is offered, subject to terms and repayment obligations.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• US citizenship as required by Virginia law for LEOs.
• Valid driver’s license issued by your state of residence.
• Meet minimum age requirements and all other Virginia/DCJS/City APD qualifications.
• Ability to perform essential functions, with or without accommodation.

Responsibilities

• Patrol assigned areas to deter and detect crime and enforce laws.
• Respond to emergency and non‑emergency calls for service and make timely decisions.
• Secure scenes, provide first aid, conduct preliminary investigations, gather evidence, interview individuals, and arrest when appropriate.
• Investigate traffic crashes and take enforcement or safety actions.
• Prepare clear reports and maintain evidence per policy.
• Testify in court and work with prosecutors and partner agencies.
• Engage with the community and support crime prevention efforts.
• Complete training and maintain certifications and use department equipment safely.

Skills

Integrity

Sound judgment

Maturity

Accountability

Respectful communication

Citizenship

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Four-year college degree or equivalent

Job description

The Alexandria Police Department (APD) is seeking entry-level Police Officer candidates who bring integrity, sound judgment, maturity, accountability, and a commitment to professional service. Officers serve a diverse community just minutes from Washington, D.C., while gaining the skills and experience needed for a long‑term law enforcement career.

Why APD

• $75,000 starting salary, with salary progression under the City’s applicable pay plan and a current top Police Officer salary of $114,552.
• $5,000 entry-level signing bonus, subject to the terms of the offer of employment and applicable service and repayment obligations.
• Career growth and specialized assignment opportunities, including Patrol, Criminal Investigations, K‑9, Special Operations, Motors, and other assignments.
• City benefits, tuition assistance, and professional training and development.

Overview And Examples Of Work

• Patrols assigned areas to deter and detect crime, preserve public order, and enforce criminal and traffic laws.
• Responds to emergency and non‑emergency calls for service and makes lawful, timely decisions in changing conditions.
• Secures crime and incident scenes, provides first aid when needed, conducts preliminary investigations, gathers evidence, interviews involved persons, and makes arrests when appropriate.
• Investigates traffic crashes and other incidents and takes appropriate enforcement or safety action.
• Prepares clear, accurate reports and maintains evidence and other property in accordance with law and Department policy.
• Testifies in court and works with prosecutors, courts, partner agencies, and other public safety professionals.
• Engages with community members, supports crime prevention and problem‑solving efforts, and treats people with dignity and respect.
• Completes required training, maintains certifications and qualifications, and safely uses Department equipment and technology.
• Performs related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED.
• United States citizenship, as required by Virginia law for law‑enforcement officers.
• A valid driver’s license issued by the state of your residence.
• Meet applicable minimum age requirements and all other qualifications required by Virginia law, the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, and City/APD standards.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Preferred Qualifications

Four-year college degree or equivalent, directly related work experience.

Professional Standards and Applicant Suitability

Police officers hold positions of significant public trust. Applicants must demonstrate the personal and professional qualities necessary to exercise police authority responsibly, including honesty, integrity, sound judgment, maturity, self‑control, reliability, accountability, respectful communication, and professionalism.

Assessment of these qualities will be based on job‑related information obtained during the selection process and applied consistently with applicable law and City/APD policy.

APD Evaluates The Totality Of An Applicant’s Conduct And Background For Job‑related Suitability. Information May Be Considered Even When It Is Not An Automatic Disqualifier Or a Criminal Offense. Job‑related Concerns May Include, But Are Not Limited To

• Dishonesty, lack of candor, material omissions, or misrepresentation.
• Poor judgment, unsafe decision‑making, or a pattern of irresponsible conduct.
• Failure to accept responsibility or demonstrate accountability for past conduct.
• Conduct showing a lack of maturity, self‑control, reliability, or appropriate interpersonal behavior.
• Unprofessional, disrespectful, discriminatory, retaliatory, or harassing conduct.
• Failure or unwillingness to follow lawful instructions, policies, rules, or established procedures.
• Other conduct that is job‑related and inconsistent with the duties, standards, or public trust associated with service as an Alexandria Police Officer.

Applicants are expected to provide complete and accurate information, respond to requests, meet required deadlines, cooperate fully with the selection process, and promptly report material changes in information or circumstances relevant to eligibility. Failure to do so may result in removal from the hiring process or withdrawal of an offer, consistent with applicable law and City/APD policy.

Hiring and Selection Process

• Application and initial qualification screening
• Mandatory Orientation/New Officer Assessment and Background Questionnaire
• Pre‑employment drug screen and driver’s license check
• Initial polygraph examination
• Background investigation, including applicable records and credit review, and panel interview or other job‑related assessment
• Conditional Offer of Employment
• Psychological evaluation
• Medical examinationCompletion of any remaining background requirements.
• Interview with the Chief of Police or designee

Failure to successfully complete any required step, meet applicable employment standards, provide requested information, or cooperate with the process may result in removal from consideration or withdrawal of an offer. In some circumstances, employment may begin while an approved requirement remains pending; any outstanding requirement remains a condition of continued employment.

Disqualification Standards

Certain conditions are disqualifying under applicable law or APD standards. Other conduct may be reviewed on a case‑by‑case basis as part of the overall suitability assessment.

Honesty and Disclosure

APD will not consider applicants who are intentionally dishonest or materially misleading during the hiring process. Information provided by an applicant is subject to verification through interviews, polygraph examination, records review, and background investigation. An intentional material omission or falsification may result in disqualification, withdrawal of an offer, or, if discovered after employment begins, action up to and including termination as permitted by law and policy.

Criminal History

• A felony conviction or other criminal history that disqualifies the applicant under applicable federal or Virginia law.
• A conviction involving perjury, false statements, or a crime of moral turpitude when disqualifying under applicable law or APD standards.
• A qualifying conviction for a crime of domestic violence that legally prohibits service in the position or possession of a firearm.
• Other criminal or unlawful conduct may be considered as part of the job‑related suitability review.

Substance Use

Illegal drug use and other substance‑related conduct are evaluated under applicable law and APD standards. A required pre‑employment drug screen must be satisfactorily completed.

Training, Certification, and Probation

• Entry‑level officers must successfully complete Basic Police Officer Training at the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy (NVCJTA).
• Recruits must successfully pass the required state examination administered through NVCJTA and meet applicable Virginia DCJS certification requirements.
• After academy training, officers must successfully complete the Alexandria Police Department Patrol Training Officer (PTO) program.
• Recruits are in probationary status beginning on the first day of employment. For recruits who attend NVCJTA, probationary status continues through academy training and the one‑year probationary period begins upon graduation from NVCJTA. For officers who are certified before hire and do not attend NVCJTA, the one‑year probationary period begins on the date of hire.
• New hires are assigned to the Field Operations Bureau and can expect to remain in that Bureau for a minimum of two years before being considered for transfer to another assignment, subject to the exceptions described in applicable offer documents and Department needs.

Signing Bonus and Service Obligation

Entry‑level new hires are currently eligible for a $5,000 signing bonus. Under the current terms, 50% is paid when hired and the remaining 50% is paid after successful completion of the PTO program. The signing bonus and City‑funded academy training are subject to a 36‑month service obligation following completion of NVCJTA and prorated repayment requirements if the employee separates before completing that obligation. Additional repayment terms may apply if academy training is begun but not completed for cause. Full terms are provided in the offer of employment.

Out‑of‑State Applicants

Applicants who reside outside the National Capital Region may complete the Mandatory Orientation remotely. APD recruiters will provide scheduling instructions. The overall hiring process often takes approximately two to three months, but timelines vary based on applicant circumstances, scheduling, and required follow‑up.

Documents to Have Available

• Proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a birth certificate, naturalization documentation, or U.S. passport.
• Valid driver’s license from the state in which you presently reside.
• Social Security card.

Security Notice

No weapons are permitted in the building during hiring activities, including weapons carried by law‑enforcement officers from other jurisdictions.

Alexandria Police Department Recruitment

3600 Wheeler Avenue

Alexandria, VA 22304

Email: [e-mail]

Phone: [phone]

Website: www.joinAPDVA.com

The City of Alexandria is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The City of Alexandria is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workforce. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, military status, or disability.

We are proud to welcome you to explore the City of Alexandria's excellent benefits and programs!

The benefits referenced on this site, may be changed from time to time without notice. Temporary and some part‑time positions are not eligible for these benefits. For further information, please contact the Talent Acquisition Team of Human Resources at [e-mail].