Police Officer Recruit

City of Charlottesville; Charlottesville (VA); On-site; USD 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking city as a Police Officer Recruit, where you will undergo rigorous training at the Police Academy to become a certified law enforcement officer. This role offers a unique opportunity to engage in essential law enforcement functions, including physical fitness training, legal education, and hands-on experience through ride-alongs. With a strong emphasis on community safety and integrity, you will develop the skills necessary to serve and protect the citizens of Charlottesville. This position not only provides a pathway to a rewarding career in law enforcement but also offers excellent benefits and a supportive work environment. If you’re ready to make a difference, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Benefits

Health Insurance Options

Paid Vacation and Sick Leave

Paid Holidays

Employer-Paid Life Insurance

Gym Reimbursement Program

Continuing Education/Training Opportunities

City's Retirement Options

Qualifications

• Must successfully complete police academy training and field training.
• Knowledge of state laws and city ordinances is essential.

Responsibilities

• Participate in formal training at the Police Academy.
• Perform essential duties of a Police Officer under supervision.

Skills

Law Enforcement Procedures

Physical Fitness

First Aid/CPR

Firearms Proficiency

Crisis Management

Communication Skills

Cultural Diversity Awareness

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Associate Degree in Law Enforcement or Related Field

Tools

Firearms

Police Radio

Patrol Vehicle

Job description

Typical hiring amount is $26.45 an hour ($55,016 annually).

• This is a full-time, non-exempt position and provides excellent benefits including but not limited to: health insurance options with employer contribution, paid vacation and sick leave, paid holidays, employer-paid life insurance, City's retirement options, gym reimbursement program, and continuing education/training opportunities.
• For a general summary of benefits offered by the City, please click the 'benefits' tab on this posting, or visit https://www.charlottesville.gov/1047/Employee-Benefits.
• The City of Charlottesville manages its own retirement system and does not participate in VRS, however the City has a Portability Agreement with VRS and there are certain provisions that must be met. If questions pertaining to the Portability Agreement, please contact the City's Benefits Administrator at 434-970-3462.

The Charlottesville Police Department invites applications for the position of Police Officer Recruit. Police Recruits, under instructional supervision, participate in a formal academy training to successfully complete the Virginia state certified police officer training at the Central Shenandoah Criminal Justice Training Academy. Recruits will contribute to basic various law enforcement functions and may participate in ride alongs. The Academy provides recruits with classroom training, physical fitness, and simulation training. This position reports to a Police Corporal or Sergeant.

After successful completion of the police academy and Virginia certified police officer training, Recruits will be sworn in and assume the duties of Police Officer, which can be located at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/charlottesville/classspecs/103540, and will begin a one-year probationary period which includes on-the-job field training that will expose trainees to uncontrolled and/or unpredictable conditions.

ADDITIONAL RECRUITMENT PROCESS INFORMATION:

• Qualified applicants will be invited, by email to the email address provided on the submitted application, to participate in an online written examination and to create an online account to digitally sign and complete a Personal History Statement (PHS) and a Release of Personal Records Information Consent form.
• Additional information can be found at https://www.cpdcareers.com.

All requests for special accommodations due to disability will be considered, but must be made in writing, must arrive no later than two weeks after your application was submitted, and must include verification of disability and state the form of accommodation which is requested. This request must be sent to:

Email
OR
Human Resources Department
City of Charlottesville
605 East Main Street
P.O. Box 911
Charlottesville, VA 22902

• Participates in and receives formal training at the Police Academy. Coursework and training includes but is not limited to: scheduled physical fitness, criminal and traffic laws, search and seizure, first aid/CPR, fair and impartial policing, cultural diversity, prevention of bias-based policing, defense tactics utilizing de-escalation techniques, firearms, driver training, officer survival, DUI investigation, active shooter, speed measurement, and crime scene investigation.
• Participates in ride alongs and experiences basic law enforcement functions necessary to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of a Police Officer, which includes but are not limited to skilled performance of traffic control, general investigations, crime prevention, communications, first aid, crime scene investigation procedures, and fingerprinting.
• Becomes familiar with Virginia Laws and City ordinances.
• Becomes familiar with Charlottesville Police Department rules and regulations.
• Becomes familiar with Charlottesville Police Department computer systems to obtain, track, and report information.
• Participates in emergency vehicle operations training and firearm familiarization courses.
• Participates in mandatory and elective trainings.
• May be required to report to work on scheduled days off, or report back to work, should a disaster or emergency arise.
• Performs all duties with the highest degree of confidentiality and personal and professional integrity.
• Performs related duties as required.

Education Requirement

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent required.

Special Requirements

• Must be at least 20 years of age at time of the application and 21 years of age by police academy graduation.
• By employment start date, possession of a valid appropriate driver's permit issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia. (To view our driving eligibility requirements, visit https://www.charlottesville.gov/faq.aspx?qid=166).
• Must be a US citizen or be a permanent resident alien who, in accordance with the requirements of the USCIS, is eligible and has applied for citizenship (proof is required). Note: an application for waiver of minimum qualifications (citizenship) must be obtained and approved by the Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS).
• Must be able to successfully and satisfactorily pass all phases of the screening process, to include a written exam, physical agility test, oral interviews, completion of a comprehensive background investigation, a polygraph exam, psychological and medical exams, and pre-employment drug screening.
• Successful completion of the police academy and field training.
• Must obtain and maintain: Certification as a Law Enforcement Officer by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, Certification in the Virginia Crime Information Network (VCIN), and Certification in Firearms Proficiency.
• Must sign a Condition of Employment Agreement acknowledging the prohibition of the use of tobacco products on and off duty.

Automatic Disqualifiers:

• Any felony convictions or serious misdemeanor convictions of domestic violence, sex offenses, or crimes involving moral turpitude, including but not limited to perjury, larceny, embezzlement, check fraud, or income tax evasion.
• Convicted of DUI or Hit & Run in the past 3 years.
• Use of marijuana after date of application, regardless of location of use (includes states/countries where usage may be legal).
• No non-prescription/unauthorized drug use after date of application, including but not limited to Adderall, Xanax, etc.
• Pattern of illegal use or misuse of prescription drugs in the last 3 years.
• Illegal experimental use of club drugs, such as Ketamine, GHB, Rohypnol, MDMA (Ecstasy), steroids, mushrooms, peyote, or aerosols within the last 3 years.
• Experimental use of any schedule I, II, III, or IV drug within the last five (5) years not covered above.
• Dealing (as an adult): manufacturing, cultivation, supplying, transporting, distributing, or selling any controlled, illegal or dangerous substance other than marijuana.
• Military dishonorable discharge or bad conduct discharge.
• Under criminal investigation or have criminal charges pending.
• Any previous revocation or denial of certification as Police Officer or a suspension of current certified status.
• Any body art, tattoo, or other modification (such as branding or gauges) that violates departmental policy.
• Failure to provide a fully completed, honestly reported Personal History Statement.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Associate degree or higher in law enforcement, public administration or related field from an accredited university or college; prior law enforcement, military, or corrections experience; current law enforcement certification in the Commonwealth of Virginia; professional working proficiency, or higher, in a foreign language or American Sign Language; law enforcement related internships.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

General knowledge of police methods, practices, and procedures necessary to effectively interact with the public, victims, suspects, and officers of other agencies or the ability to acquire this knowledge and apply it to specific situations; ability to learn and understand state laws, city codes and ordinances; learn the geography of Charlottesville and location of important buildings; ability to learn departmental rules and regulations; ability to understand and carry out oral and written instruction; and to prepare clear, concise reports; ability to deal courteously with the public; ability to effectively communicate with all persons; ability to exercise good judgement in stressful situations; ability to analyze situations quickly and objectively and determine a proper course of action; ability to safely use motor vehicles; ability to learn and become proficient in the use of firearms and other equipment used in the performance of essential duties; ability to maintain high levels of ethical standards; ability to demonstrate a high level of integrity and be truthful at all times.

NOTE: This job opportunity is advertised with a closing date of 'Continuous.' If interested in being considered, an application should be submitted as soon as possible. Applications will be evaluated on a continuous basis. Interviews will be conducted as soon as possible during the recruitment with candidates who are best qualified. Applications may no longer be considered once a candidate to fill the position is identified. This job announcement will close when the position(s) have been filled and may close at any time.

Must be in satisfactory health, that would not restrict the ability to perform and safely complete academy training, field training, and performance of essential job functions of a Police Officer. (Reasonable accommodations may be made and will be considered on a case-by-case basis).

This is a safety sensitive position subject to drug and alcohol testing for pre-employment, reasonable suspicion, post-accident and random testing.

Work Schedule: requires flexible shift hours (to include holidays, nights and weekends); sometimes remaining on assignments for prolonged periods. Position is subject to emergency call.

Work Environment: A majority of time spent in this position involves outside work. Work is performed in varied environments utilizing department assigned clothing and equipment (personal protective equipment, body armor, and other specialty equipment). Work may be performed in challenging terrain, tight or confined spaces, remote settings, and unprotected heights. Work may be performed in extreme temperatures, extreme brightness or darkness, and in traffic/roadways. Work may involve exposure to chemicals, explosives, electrical hazards, fumes, gases, allergens, blood-borne pathogens, and animals. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.

Physical Demands: Police recruits/officers may be involved in numerous physically demanding activities in the police academy, during on-the-job training (field training), and throughout the work shift. These may include: extensive walking, standing, and running; sitting for extended periods of time; working in stressful and sometimes life threatening conditions; pursuing and arresting aggressive/hostile suspects; physically searching suspects; performing rescues from a potentially hazardous environment; performing CPR and first aid procedures; controlling crowds; operating a motor vehicle under normal and emergency conditions; carrying and demonstrating proficiency with firearms; qualifying annually with firearm and other less-lethal weapons.

Requires identifying hazards, persons, and evidence:

Vision: Distance-corrected visual acuity of 20/20 or better binocularly with at least 20/40 in each eye. If glasses or hard contacts are worn, uncorrected distance vision must be 20/100 or better binocularly. Near-corrected visual acuity in the better eye of no less than 20/40. In addition, candidates must be able to accurately and quickly name colors, and must be free from other visual impairments that would restrict the ability to perform law enforcement duties (e.g., identify house numbers, license plates, vehicle descriptions, suspect/victim descriptions, evidence, status of brake and traffic lights, body language, potential weapons, and weapons qualifications).

Hearing: Must be able to understand speech in noisy areas, understand whispered speech, and localize sounds (e.g. conversations, radio communications, alarms, requests for assistance).

Smell: Must be able to smell hazardous materials, and contraband (e.g., alcohol on the breath).

Touch: Must be able to touch (feel) concealed weapons, heat, moisture.