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, prevent and discover crime, direct traffic, and enforce motor vehicle operation and parking regulations.
• Answers calls and complaints involving fires, automobile accidents, robberies, neighborhood disturbances, and other misdemeanors and felonies.
• Secures crime scenes, 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 automobile accident scenes, interviews witnesses, gathers information, and prepares detailed accident reports.
• Interviews persons with complaints and inquiries, attempts proper disposition, or directs them to proper authorities.
• Provides advice on laws and ordinances and general information to the public.
• Conducts investigations of vice and narcotics activities, stolen automobiles, and property stolen from automobiles; performs follow-up investigations of homicides and thefts.
• Covers an assigned beat with primary emphasis on traffic law enforcement and provides specialized traffic control services for parades and 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, juvenile sex offenses, child neglect and abuse, and vandalism.
• Conducts foot patrols, building searches, and tracks wanted persons as a K-9 official.
• Responds to domestic trouble and civil dispute cases.
• Investigates homicides, suicides, felonious assaults, and all sex-related cases when assigned to 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 about 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.
• Valid driver’s license issued by the state of residence.
• Must meet 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 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) to enter the hiring process.

An application and background packet 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.

Location for the assessment and orientation:

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 pre-employment requirements such as a polygraph examination and background investigation.

Documents required on the day of the exam:

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

Additional documents needed to continue in the hiring process (not required for entrance into the examination):

• 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 (5 or 7-year history depending on your state).
• Name change documents (if applicable).

No weapons (including law enforcement officers from other jurisdictions) nor electronic devices (cell phones, pagers, palm pilots, etc.) will be permitted in the building. Applicants entering the building are subject to a search.

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