State Police Trooper - Lateral

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 67,000 - 89,000; Full time

Job summary

The Virginia State Police is recruiting qualified pre-certified Virginia law enforcement patrol officers who want to promote highway safety and serve their communities. Selected candidates will enter an accelerated 5-week lateral program with a starting salary between $66,758 and $71,563, or higher in Northern Virginia up to $89,418, commensurate with experience.

Troopers receive a take-home patrol vehicle and uniforms; career paths include promotion to Special Agent and Sergeant with various

Qualifications

• Must be at least 21 years old on date of graduation.
• High school graduate or have a GED.
• Must be a United States citizen on day of testing.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.
• Willing to relocate anywhere in Virginia and travel at own expense to the WPT at Virginia State Police HQ.
• Must pass all Phase One pre-employment testing (WPT and written exam).
• Must pass polygraph and pass background investigation.
• Must complete medical and psychological evaluations.
• Weight must be in proportion to height; comply with tattoo/body modification policies.
• Willing to work rotating shifts, holidays and weekends.

Responsibilities

• Recruit qualified pre-certified Virginia law enforcement patrol officers for highway safety and community service.
• Attend the Virginia State Police Training Academy; upon graduation, Troopers receive a take-home patrol vehicle and equipment.
• Opportunity for promotion into Special Agent and Sergeant with multiple specialty units.

Job description

Title

State Police Trooper - Lateral

Hiring Range

$66,758 minimum salary and commensurate with VA DCJS certified law enforcement patrol experience. Contact a recruiter for more details.

Pay Band

4

Agency

Department of State Police

Location

North Chesterfield, Midlo.Tpke

Agency Website

www.VATrooper.com

Recruitment Type

General Public - G

Fast‑track your future in law enforcement

Applications are open for the Virginia State Police Accelerated 5‑Week Lateral Program starting on January 25, 2027.

Job Duties

The Virginia State Police is recruiting qualified pre-certified Virginia law enforcement patrol officers who want to promote highway safety, serve and protect their community, increase community involvement and partnership, keep Virginia safe by enforcing the laws of the Commonwealth, and attend one of the finest Law Enforcement Training Academies in the United States. We are actively seeking professional individuals with a desire to represent and serve the Commonwealth of Virginia. Qualified applicants accepted into the Training Academy will be compensated $66,758 to $71,563 annually, or those troopers who are assigned to and living in the Northern Virginia Area shall be compensated $83,413 to $89,418 annually, commensurate up to 5 complete years of previous Virginia DCJS certified patrol experience. Upon graduation, Troopers will be supplied with a take home patrol vehicle, and all equipment and uniforms. There are no restrictions on assignment to former home county/city. You must provide up to three jurisdictions where you are willing to accept assignment or indicate your willingness to be assigned anywhere in Virginia. Assignments will be provided prior to beginning the Academy. Contact a recruiter at www.VATrooper.com for more information. Successful completion of the Academy will afford Troopers accredited college credit hours that can be transferred to an institution of higher learning for completion of a degree program. The Department offers several programs and specialty units to include the Chaplaincy and Peer Support Programs, Aviation, Executive Protection Division, K‑9, Motorcycle, Search and Recovery and Tactical Team. With tenure, Troopers will be able to participate in the promotional process for Special Agent and Sergeant that include specialty areas such as Criminal Intelligence, Arson/Bomb, Counter‑Terrorism, High Tech Crimes, Drug Enforcement, Safety, Internal Affairs, Motor Squad, CJIS, and certain positions within the Training Division.

Minimum Qualifications

• must be at least 21 years of age on date of graduation;
• must be a high school graduate or have a GED;
• must be a United States citizen on day of testing;
• must be in possession of a valid driver’s license;
• must be willing to travel at your own expense to the Virginia State Police Headquarters located at 7700 Midlothian Turnpike, North Chesterfield, VA 23235 to complete the WPT during Phase I, Phase Three of the pre-employment process (medical examination and psychological evaluation), and while in a training status;
• must successfully pass all Phase One pre-employment testing to include a Work Performance Test (WPT) and a written exam administered by the National Testing Network;
• must successfully complete a polygraph examination and pass a background investigation to complete Phase Two;
• must successfully complete medical and psychological evaluation to complete Phase Three;
• weight must be in proportion to height on date of hire;
• must be willing to relocate anywhere in the state based on Department needs;
• must be willing to work rotating shifts, holidays and weekends; and
• must be in compliance with the Department’s tattoo and body modification policies.

Additional Considerations

*A demonstrated commitment to community service.

Special Instructions

A WORK PERFORMANCE TEST, WRITTEN EXAMINATION POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION, BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION, MEDICAL EXAMINATION, AND PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION. AUTOMATIC DISQUALIFIERS CAN BE FOUND ON WWW.VATROOPER.COM

It is the policy of the Department of State Police (the Department) that all aspects of human resource management be conducted without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists); sex; color; national origin; religion; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; age; veteran status; political affiliation; disability; genetic information; and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. This policy shall be adhered to in all aspects of Departmental employment practices. It does not permit the lowering of bona fide job requirements, performance criteria, or qualifications to give preference to any state employee or applicant for state employment based on the above prohibitions.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

Contact Information

Name: Recruitment Unit

Phone: [phone]

Division 1 Richmond: [e-mail]

Division 2 Culpeper: [e-mail]

Division 3 Appomattox: [e-mail]

Division 4 Wythe: [e-mail]

Division 5 Chesapeake: [e-mail]

Division 6 Salem: [e-mail]

Division 7 Fairfax: [e-mail]

Employment: [e-mail]

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.