State Police Trooper - Lateral

Department Of State Police; Virginia; On-site; USD 60,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of State Police in Virginia is seeking a State Police Trooper – Lateral for advanced sworn officers. The role offers a competitive salary with several pay levels based on location and previous DCJS-certified patrol experience.

Selected candidates join an accelerated lateral program and may qualify for take-home patrol vehicles, equipment, and uniform provisions. Applications open for a structured 5-week academy pathway starting soon.

Qualifications

• The minimum qualifications for a Virginia State Police Trooper:
• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Assignments will be provided prior to beginning the Academy.
• 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.

Job description

Title

State Police Trooper - Lateral

Hiring Range

$66,758 minimum salary and commensurate with VA DCJS certified law enforcement patrol experience.

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.

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.

Please note: All contact will be through e‑mail. Please check your spam e‑mail as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Please note: All contact will be through e‑mail. Please check your spam e‑mail as needed.

The minimum qualifications for a Virginia State Police Trooper:

• 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.

The anticipated duration of this process is determined by the successful completion of the above items and Training Academy scheduling; however, successful completion of all three phases does not guarantee employment.

Additional Considerations

A demonstrated commitment to community service.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

You will be provided with confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your Page Up account to check the status of your application for this position.

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

This 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.