Police Officer I

This is the entry-level officer position with potential for professional growth within the City of Alexandria's Police Department.

Overview and Examples of Work

• Patrols a designated area of the City on foot, on a radio-equipped motorcycle, or in a radio-equipped car to preserve law and order, to prevent and discover the commission of crime, to direct traffic, and to enforce motor vehicle operation and parking regulations.
• Answers calls and complaints involving fire, automobile accidents, robberies, neighborhood disturbances, and other misdemeanors and felonies.
• Secures the scene of a crime, administers first aid, conducts preliminary investigations, gathers evidence, obtains witnesses, and makes arrests.
• Testifies as a witness in court in connection with arrests and citations.
• Administers first aid at the scene of automobile accidents, interviews witnesses, gathers information, and prepares detailed accident reports.
• Interviews persons with complaints and inquiries, attempts to make proper disposition, or directs them to proper authorities.
• Gives advice on laws and ordinances and general information to the public.
• Conducts investigations of vice and narcotics activities, investigates reports of stolen automobiles and property stolen from automobiles, and conducts follow-up investigations of homicides and thefts.
• Covers an assigned beat with primary emphasis on traffic law enforcement and provides specialized traffic control services in connection with parades and similar public events.
• Investigates charges of fraud, forgery, embezzlement, and bad checks.
• Processes crime scenes and maintains evidence and other property.
• Recruits applicants for police positions.
• Investigates cases of runaways, assaults, larcenies, burglaries, sex offenses involving juveniles, child neglect and abuse, and vandalism.
• Conducts foot patrol and building searches, and tracks wanted persons as a K-9 official.
• Responds to domestic trouble and civil dispute cases.
• Investigates homicides, suicides, felonious assault, and all sex-related cases when assigned as an investigator in the Criminal Investigations Division.
• Educates the public in crime prevention.
• Attends regular training classes in police methods, first aid, firearms qualifications, and related subjects.
• Keeps informed with respect to persons of known bad character and places of questionable legality within an assigned area.
• Maintains records and prepares reports.
• Performs related work as required.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED.
• One year of work experience involving public contact under varying circumstances; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Employees must possess a valid driver's license issued by the state of their residence.
• Candidates must meet the minimum age and medical standards as established by the Human Resources Department.
• Good character and background are essential requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Four-Year College Degree or equivalent, directly-related work experience.

Recruitment Process

This position requires the successful completion of pre-employment testing to include:

• Mandatory Orientation
• Introductory Interview
• Background Questionnaire
• Writing Prompt
• Polygraph Examination
• Background Investigation (including credit check)
• Senior Panel Interview
• Psychological Examination
• Medical Examination
• Drug Screen
• Driver License Check

Failure at any step results in elimination from the process.

Automatic Disqualifiers

False Information

• Evidence that the applicant has willfully provided false or misleading information during the application or screening process, either orally or in writing.

Criminal History

• As an adult, being convicted of a felony crime.
• As an adult, being convicted of any crime (felony or misdemeanor) involving perjury, false statements, or a crime of moral turpitude.
• As an adult, commission of an unreported felony crime during the three-year period immediately preceding the date of application.
• Convicted of a crime of domestic violence.
• Recent or ongoing affiliation with, and/or support of, an organization or group which advocates the violent overthrow of the United States government, or whose professed goals are contrary to the interests of public safety.

Substance Abuse

• Illegal use of a controlled substance will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Requirements for Testing

• Must be at least 20 years old, a U.S. citizen or naturalized citizen, and be able to provide proof of each prior to being allowed into the testing site.
• Must bring your driver's license, social security card, and proof of U.S. Citizenship (and a copy of each) in order to enter into the hiring process.

An application and background packet for this position will be supplied upon successfully passing the background questionnaire. The Background Packet is due two weeks after the initial hiring process.

Testing Location and Details

Panel Interviews will be conducted immediately following the assessment and orientation for those who successfully pass. Business attire or business casual is required.

The location for the assessment and orientation is:

Alexandria Police Department
3600 Wheeler Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22304

The estimated length of the hiring process may be anywhere from 2-3 months, due to the pre-employment requirements of a polygraph examination and background investigation.

Please bring the following documents with you on the day of the exam:

• Proof of US citizenship (Birth Certificate or Naturalization Paperwork or U.S. Passport).
• Valid Driver's License (must be the state in which you presently reside).
• Social Security Card.

The following documents will also be needed for you to continue in the hiring process:

• High School Diploma or Certified High School transcripts or GED.
• College Degree or Certified transcripts from your College or University (if applicable).
• DD Form 214 (Long form) if applicable (military discharge paperwork).
• Certified transcript of your driving record. Depending on your state, a 5 or 7-year history is needed. If you resided in and obtained a driving permit in 2 or more different states during a 7-year period, both certified transcripts are required.
• Name change documents (if applicable).

You may park in the public parking lot located in front of Police Headquarters. No weapons (which includes law enforcement officers from other jurisdictions) nor electronic devices (cell phones, pagers, palm pilots, etc.) will be permitted in the building. Applicants who enter the building are subject to a search.

Contact Information

For questions or to request an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact:

Officer Mariela Ortega
Police Recruiter
Alexandria Police Department
3600 Wheeler Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22304
Email: APDRecruitment@alexandriava.gov
Phone: 703-746-6223
Website: www.joinAPDVA.com

Nearby Hotels

• Embassy Suites
  1900 Diagonal Road
  Alexandria, VA 22314
  Phone: (703) 684-5900
• Courtyard by Marriott Alexandria
  2700 Eisenhower Avenue
  Alexandria, VA 22314
  Phone: (703) 329-2323
• Holiday Inn Alexandria
  2460 Eisenhower Avenue
  Alexandria, VA 22314
  Phone: (703) 960-0859