Police Officer Trainee

City of Chesapeake Virginia

Chesapeake (VA)

On-site

USD 53,000 - 65,000

Full time

21 hours ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Take‑Home Vehicle

Uniforms and Equipment

Paid Training Opportunities

Paid Annual Leave

Paid Sick Leave

Paid Holidays

Job summary

City of Chesapeake Virginia is seeking a Police Officer Trainee to join the Chesapeake Police Department. The role involves engaging with the community, patrolling neighborhoods, and supporting law enforcement activities during the academy training.

You’ll participate in paid training at the Chesapeake Law Enforcement Training Academy, with rotating shifts and comprehensive benefits, while upholding public safety and service standards.

Qualifications

Requires high school diploma or GED.
Requires a valid driver's license and driving record in compliance with City Driving Standards.
This job classification provides service to the community on a 24-hour basis with rotating schedules.

Responsibilities

Conducts routine patrols in residential and business areas; maintains contact with businesses and residents to establish good relations.
Responds to calls for police service and crises; apprehends lawbreakers as necessary and conducts follow-up investigations.
Provides information and assistance to the public, informing citizens of services and referrals to agencies.
Maintains the peace and safety of the community by quelling disturbances and maintaining order at events.
Provides safe and convenient flow of traffic and pedestrians; investigates accidents and enforces traffic laws.

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

ALL APPLICANTS FOR THIS POSITION ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING PHYSICAL ABILITY TEST (PAT): You may be contacted to register for a testing date AFTER your online application has been reviewed.

The PERSONAL HISTORY STATEMENT (PHS) will be emailed to you from the recruiter, allowing you to complete it online or by printing the form and filling it out by hand. Please submit the completed PHS either by e-mail to cpdrecruiting@cityofchesapeake.net or through hand delivery to Chesapeake Police Headquarters.
304 Albemarle Dr.
Chesapeake, VA 23322
Attn: Backgrounds Investigations Unit

PHYSICAL ABILITY TEST DATES FOR MARCH 1, 2027 – 85th SESSION CPD ACADEMY HIRING PROCESS:

OCTOBER 2026 – JANUARY 2027

The PATs are primarily held at the Chesapeake Law Enforcement Training Academy (CLETA), on various Saturday mornings, at 8:00 AM.

PAT OBSTACLE COURSE: A timed (1:36 minutes or less) 150-yard course to measure stamina and cardiovascular fitness in completing various job-related physical skills. Trainee Applicants must make one bonified attempt at the wall, if the applicant cannot get over the wall after one attempt, they can bypass the wall as directed by the proctor.

Sit on a bench and listen to the suspect’s description.
Run 25 yards and jump over a 3-foot simulated ditch.
Run 25 yards and climb over a 5-foot-high wall.
Run 10 yards and crawl under an obstacle (24 inches high and 10 feet long).
Run 25 yards and climb up & down a standard step for 12 repetitions.
Run 15 yards and crawl through a window opening (36" W X 30" H).
Run 10 yards and identify the suspect (picture).
Run 15 yards and drag a 150 lb dummy 15 feet.
Run 20 yards and complete the trigger pull exercise.

*Applicants must PASS the Police Obstacle Course (within three (3) attempts). If an applicant is unable to pass on the initial day of testing, they can schedule a retest on a later date.

Physical Performance Testing:

Once all applicants have passed the Police Obstacle Course, the applicant will then complete the physical performance test and be assessed on the following:
V-Sit & Reach
300 Meter Sprint
Sit-Ups
Push-ups
1.5 Mile Run

Drug Screening: MARIJUANA
In accordance with City policy, this position is deemed safety sensitive. As such, applicants for this position are subject to pre-employment drug/alcohol testing after receiving a conditional offer of employment and may also be subject to random testing. This drug test includes testing for marijuana. Generally, a positive test result for marijuana, alcohol, or other controlled substances will disqualify an applicant from employment. Possession of a medical marijuana license will not excuse an applicant from the testing process or the consequences of testing positive for marijuana.

Position Information

Working Title of Vacant Position

Working Title of Vacant Position Police Officer Trainee

Job Type Full Time

Posting Type Public

Number of Vacancies Varies

Department POLICE

Division POLICE PUB SAFETY TRAIN

Requisition Number 2026438

Number of hours worked per week 40

Work Schedule Shift Work / Schedule Varies

The Academy Schedule
- Typically Monday through Friday from 7:45 am to 4:15 pm (Varies)
Uniform Patrol Shifts (Varies)
- Day Shift: 7:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Power Shift: 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm
- Evening Shift: 3:00 pm to 1:00 am
- Midnight Shift: 10:00 pm – 8:00 am

Work Site Location

Chesapeake, VA

Position Driving Requirement R - Routine

Pay Grade PS01

Pay Basis Semi-Monthly

Advertised Salary

$59,000

March 1, 2027, 85th SESSION ACADEMY HIRING PROCESS :

Diverse Responsibilities: From safeguarding life and property to investigating crimes, our officers engage in a wide range of meaningful duties that contribute to the safety and well-being of our community.
Comprehensive Training: Our Chesapeake Law Enforcement Training Academy offers paid training and a wealth of resources to ensure you’re fully prepared to excel in your role, even if you have no prior experience in law enforcement or security.
Supportive Environment: We foster an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone’s unique backgrounds and perspectives are valued. We believe diversity strengthens our team and enhances our ability to serve the community effectively.
Work-Life Balance: We understand the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Our scheduling options and commitment to employee well‑being ensure you have time to recharge and enjoy life outside of work.

Position Overview

As a Chesapeake Police Officer, you’ll play a vital role in engaging with and protecting our community, enforcing laws, and investigating crimes. You’ll engage in surveillance, law enforcement activities, apprehension, and reporting, adhering to established procedures to ensure the safety and security of all residents and visitors.

Commitment to Service

Our commitment to serving the community is unwavering. We operate on a 24‑hour basis, providing around‑the‑clock service to ensure the safety of our residents and visitors. This dedication requires officers to work on rotating schedules, including weekends, holidays, and sometimes paid overtime as needed to meet operational demands.

TYPICAL TASKS

Conducts routine patrols in residential and business areas; maintains contact with businesses and residents to establish good relations.
Responds to calls for police service and responds to crimes, domestic disputes, disturbances, disputes among neighbors, juveniles, or other incidents; apprehends lawbreakers as necessary; conducts follow‑up investigations of crimes and other incidents; conducts surveillance of areas for suspected or potential criminal activity.
Provides information and/or assistance to the public, informing citizens of services in the community, or providing referrals to other city, county, or state agencies.
Maintains the peace and safety of the community by quelling public disturbances and maintaining order at group functions.
Provides for the safe and convenient flow of traffic and pedestrians within the community, investigates traffic accidents, enforces traffic violations, promotes vehicular and pedestrian safety, reports unsafe road conditions, and conducts DUI or other investigations.
Issues civil or legal documents such as traffic citations; prepares written reports, forms, and other documents as required; may testify in civil and criminal court proceedings or give depositions.
Attends training meetings, in‑service training, and technical or professional classes, seminars, or conferences to improve technical or professional skills.
Performs other related duties as assigned.

GENERAL STANDARDS

Data Involvement: Summarizes, tabulates, or formats data or information in accordance with a prescribed schema or plan.
Interpersonal/People Involvement: Speaks or signals to people to convey or exchange information.
Reasoning Requirements: Performs semi‑skilled work involving set procedures but solves frequent problems.
Mathematical Requirements: Performs addition and subtraction, multiplication and division and/or calculates ratios, rates and percents.
Language Requirements: Reads routine sentences, instructions, regulations, procedures, or work orders; writes routine sentences and completes routine job forms and incident reports, speaks routine sentences using proper grammar.
Mental Requirements: Performs clerical and technical tasks prescribed by standard practices but may require computation, the use of several procedures and independent judgement with obvious choices; requires normal attention for accurate results.
Decisions/Supervisory Control: Guides others making a few decisions, affecting the individual and few co‑workers.

BENEFITS

Take‑Home Vehicle for Personal and Official Use
Uniforms and Equipment
Provided Free 24/7 Access to 7 Private Chesapeake PD Gyms
Paid Specialized Training Opportunities (in‑house and out‑of‑town)
Paid Annual Leave (up to 37 days per year)
Paid Sick Leave (up to 12 days per year)
Paid Military Leave (up to 21 days per year)
Funeral Leave (up to 3 days for the death of certain family members)
Family and Medical Leave (time off for the birth or adoption of a child, a serious health condition, or to care for a family member with a serious health condition)
The City observes the same paid holidays and additional time off as the State of Virginia.
Medical Care Flexible Spending Account

Required Qualifications

VOCATIONAL / EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENT : Requires high school diploma or GED .

SPECIAL CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES : Requires a valid driver’s license and driving record in compliance with the City Driving Standards . Special skills or equipment certification will be required.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS : This job classification provides service to the community on a 24‑hour basis. In order to accommodate the 24‑hour service, this job classification is required to work rotating schedules, which include working weekends and holidays, and may involve work in excess of regularly scheduled hours when required by operational necessity.

Applicant Must

Be at least 19 and a half years old at the time of application.
Be a high school graduate or possess a GED / HSE .
Possess a valid motor vehicle operator’s license with an acceptable driving record in accordance with City Driving Standards.

AUTOMATIC DISQUALIFYING FACTORS

Convicted of, plead guilty to, or no contest to any felony.
Convicted of, plead guilty to, or no contest to a misdemeanor involving acts of moral turpitude (lying, cheating, and stealing).
Convicted of, plead guilty to, or no contest to a misdemeanor sex offense.
Convicted of, plead guilty to, or no contest to domestic assault.
Conviction of possession, manufacture, and/or distribution of illegal drugs, excluding possession of marijuana or any cannabis derivative.
Use of Cocaine, LSD, PCP, or any type of hallucinogenic drug in the last five years. (Subject to ADA guidelines)
Dishonorable discharge, Bad conduct/Misconduct discharge, and Other than Honorable discharges from military service. General and Uncharacterized discharges from military service will be evaluated on a case‑by‑case basis.
Untruthfulness or the withholding of pertinent information during any phase of the application process (e.g. application, interview, paperwork).
Cheating on any examination or testing associated with the process.
Tattoo Policy: any large tattoo’s on the neck, head and/or face are prohibited; however, small tattoos are on a case by case basis for approval by the Chief.
Permanent body modifications such as earlobe stretching, subdermal implants, or similar alterations that are extreme, distracting or undermine professional decorum are prohibited.

Firearm Eligibility Requirement

Applicants must be eligible to obtain a Virginia Concealed Handgun Permit in accordance with §18.2-308.09 and 18 USC §922. Any disqualifying factors under this statute will result in removal from the hiring process.

Driving Record Criteria

No more than two convictions involving any moving violation within the last twelve months.
No violations or convictions that indicate the valid driver’s license is/was denied, suspended or revoked during the past two years for any reason other than failure to pay fines or other non‑drug or alcohol related administrative reason(s).
No drug or alcohol related driving convictions within the past three years.
No more than one conviction of reckless driving or driving 20 or more miles over the speed limit within the past three years.
Convictions which are so egregious that they could be deemed negligent in the City’s duties to the public may be addressed separately through the City’s Disciplinary Policy or may result in disqualification of an applicant, intern, or volunteer. The date of conviction and anticipated date of hire will be used when determining eligibility under this policy.

Preferred Qualifications

Empathy and Sensitivity: Ability to empathize and connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds, fostering trust and understanding in challenging situations.
Effective Communicator: Exceptional communication skills, including active listening and clear articulation, enabling positive interactions with diverse community members and fostering trust and collaboration within the team.
Multilingual Skills: Proficiency in a second language commonly spoken in our diverse community, empowering effective communication with a broader range of residents.
Community Engagement: Prior experience or involvement in community engagement initiatives, outreach programs, or volunteer work.
Professional Development: Eagerness to engage in ongoing professional development opportunities focused on providing fair and impartial police services.
Collaborative Team Player: Strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative spirit, contributing positively to a diverse team environment.
Physical Fitness: Willing to improve physical fitness and stamina, ensuring the ability to effectively perform law enforcement duties and maintain safety for oneself and others, regardless of gender.

Job Open Date

09/14/2026

Job Close Date

01/04/2027

Open Continuous No

Special Instructions to Applicants

OCTOBER 2026 – JANUARY 2027

The PATs are primarily held at the Chesapeake Law Enforcement Training Academy ( CLETA ), on various Saturday mornings, at 8:00 AM.

PAT OBSTACLE COURSE : A timed (1:36 minutes or less) 150-yard course to measure stamina and cardiovascular fitness in completing various job-related physical skills. Trainee Applicants must make one bonified attempt at the wall, if the applicant cannot get over the wall after one attempt, they can bypass the wall as directed by the proctor.

Sit on a bench and listen to the suspect’s description.
Run 25 yards and jump over a 3-foot simulated ditch.
Run 25 yards and climb over a 5-foot-high wall.
Run 10 yards and crawl under an obstacle (24 inches high and 10 feet long).
Run 25 yards and climb up & down a standard step for 12 repetitions.
Run 15 yards and crawl through a window opening (36" W X 30" H).
Run 10 yards and identify the suspect (picture).
Run 15 yards and drag a 150 lb dummy 15 feet.
Run 20 yards and complete the trigger pull exercise.

*Applicants must PASS the Police Obstacle Course (within three (3) attempts). If an applicant is unable to pass on the initial day of testing, they can schedule a retest on a later date.

Physical Performance Testing:

Once all applicants have passed the Police Obstacle Course, the applicant will then complete the physical performance test and be assessed on the following:
V-Sit & Reach
300 Meter Sprint
Sit-Ups
Push-ups
1.5 Mile Run

ADA Checklist

Overall Physical Strength Demands

Overall Physical Strength Demands L=Light - Exerting up to 20 lbs. occasionally, 10 lbs. frequently, or negligible amounts constantly OR requires walking or standing to a significant degree.

Physical Demands

C = Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time. F = Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time. O = Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time. R = Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week. N = Never- Never occurs.

Standing

Standing Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.

Sitting

Sitting Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.

Walking

Walking Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.

Lifting

Lifting Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.

Lifting Amount

Lifting Amount Exerting up to 10 lbs

Carrying

Carrying Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.

Carrying Weight

Carrying Weight Exerting up to 20 to 50 lbs

Pushing/Pulling

Pushing/Pulling Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.

Pushing/Pulling Weight

Reaching

Reaching Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week.

Handling

Handling Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.

Fine Dexterity

Fine Dexterity Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.

Kneeling

Kneeling Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.

Crouching

Crouching Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.

Crawling

Crawling Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.

Bending

Bending Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.

Twisting

Twisting Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.

Climbing

Climbing Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.

Balancing

Balancing Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time.

Vision

Vision Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time.

Hearing

Hearing Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.

Talking

Talking Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.

Foot Controls

Foot Controls Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.

Machines, Tools, Equipment and Work Aids Used

Protective Equipment Required

Health and Safety

D = DailyW = Several Times Per WeekM = Several Times Per MonthS = SeasonallyN = Never

Mechanical Hazards

Mechanical Hazards D = Daily

Chemical Hazards

Chemical Hazards D = Daily

Electrical Hazards

Electrical Hazards D = Daily

Fire Hazards D = Daily

Explosives D = Daily

Communicable Diseases D = Daily

Physical Danger or Abuse D = Daily

Other W = Several Times Per Week

Other

If Other, Description

D = DailyW = Several Times Per WeekM = Several Times Per MonthS = SeasonallyN = Never

Dirt and Dust W = Several Times Per Week

Extreme Temperatures W = Several Times Per Week

Noise and Vibration D = Daily

Fumes and Odors W = Several Times Per Week

Wetness/Humidity W = Several Times Per Week

Darkness or Poor Lighting W = Several Times Per Week

Primary Work Location

Primary Work Location Vehicle

Non-Physical Demands

C = Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time.F = Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.O = Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.R = Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week.N = Never- Never occurs.

Time Pressures

Time Pressures Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time.

Emergency Situations

Emergency Situations Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time.

Frequent Change of Tasks

Frequent Change of Tasks Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.

Irregular Work Schedule/Overtime

Irregular Work Schedule/Overtime Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time.

Performing Multiple Tasks Simultaneously

Performing Multiple Tasks Simultaneously Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.

Working Closely with Others as Part of a Team

Working Closely with Others as Part of a Team Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time.

Tedious or Exacting Work

Tedious or Exacting Work Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.

Noisy/Distracting Environment Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time.

Other

If Other, Description

Can anyone assist the employee in performing the primary tasks assigned to this position? If yes, identify the eligible task(s)

Professional References

Please provide contact information for professional references.

Minimum Requests 0

Maximum Requests 4

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Disqualifying Factors are listed in the Required Qualifications section of this posting. After reviewing the disqualifying factors, can you meet the expectations of this position?
- Yes
- No
Applicants for this position must at least have a G.E.D. or High School Diploma. What is your highest level of education attained?
- G.E.D.
- High School Diploma
- 30 College Credits or more
- Associates Degree
- Bachelors Degree
- Ph.D
- Juris Doctorate
Did you speak with a Chesapeake Police Department employee at a job fair, community event, or other event?
- YES
- NO
If yes, please provide details of the event(s) (e.g., date, location):
(Open Ended Question)