Job Duties:
Join the Virginia Beach Police Department: Serve with Purpose and Pride
The Virginia Beach Police Department is committed to safeguarding our community and building trust with the citizens we serve. Our team of dedicated professionals works tirelessly to uphold the highest standards of integrity, service, and excellence, ensuring that Virginia Beach remains a safe and welcoming place to live, work, and visit.
As a Lateral/Police Officer, you will embark on a meaningful career that empowers you to protect lives, uphold the law, and foster positive relationships within the community. You’ll receive comprehensive training and mentorship from seasoned Virginia Beach officers to prepare you for success. With opportunities for advancement, competitive pay, and a supportive team environment, the Virginia Beach Police Department is where you can make a lasting impact while growing personally and professionally.
Why Join Us?
Community Impact: Be part of a department that values service, fairness, and compassion in protecting over 450,000 residents.
Exceptional Training: Our Lateral/Police Academies provide state-certified training, equipping you with the skills and confidence to excel as an officer.
Career Progression: Explore opportunities for advancement, with paths leading to specialized roles and leadership positions.
Work-Life Balance: We recognize the importance of maintaining a healthy balance and offer benefits and resources to support your well-being.
Opportunities for Advancement: Career progression and professional development opportunities
A $10,000 hiring bonus is being offered for this position set up in installments and subject to a repayment agreement. The repayment agreement is presented at the time of conditional offer and the 2nd and 3rd installments are awarded if performance is rated as "Meets Expectations" or higher in the six (6) month interim performance evaluation and in the first annual performance evaluation at the conclusion of the fifteen (15) month probationary period (incoming sworn officers will have a twelve (12) month probationary period).
The Lateral/Police Officer I selection is multi-tiered and applicants must successfully complete each component of the process before moving to the next step. As a condition of employment, all new employees must sign an agreement that they will not smoke or use tobacco products either on or off duty. Use of marijuana or any derivative thereof is prohibited; a positive drug screening will result in a withdrawal of any conditional offer.
City of Virginia Beach Police Academy: Currently, VBPD holds Lateral/Police Officer I academies three times a year, Option 6 may coincide with the Recruit academies. The training academies vary in length depending upon classification upon hire (see special instructions). The minimum starting salary for any incoming Lateral/Police Officer I will be $52,280.10; however, candidates will be hired within the Virginia Beach structure at the level and salary commensurate with their experience and qualifications.
To view requirements and automatic disqualifiers, visit Police Careers qualifications
To view the application process and necessary forms, visit Police Recruit/Lateral application process and forms
Academy staff will forward the documents found at the site above within 24 hours of your application submission and request that you complete them with directions on how to submit them to the applicant portal. At that time, they will request that you also submit:
*Drivers License
*Social Security Card
*Birth Certificate
*High School diploma/transcripts/GED
*College transcripts if applicable
*DD-214 if applicable
Lateral Police Officer I (Pay Range: $52,280.10-$81,034.16) job description link: Lateral PO I JD
Lateral/Police Officer II (Pay Range: $54,894.10-$85,085.86); job description link: PO II JD and Lateral PO II JD
Lateral/Master Police Officer (Pay Range: $60,520.70-$93,807.09); job description link: Master PO JD
For questions, contact the academy staff at 1-757-385-6987.
Official City Job Description:
Working Conditions:
https://workingcondition-summary-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/B.002113.pdf
Minimum Requirements:
POLICE OFFICER I MINIMUMS: High school diploma or GED. Completion of the Virginia Beach Police Department Basic Recruit Academy or completion of a Virginia Criminal Justice Services Commission approved training (within the last 24 months) or completion of a comparable training program in another state with experience in fields utilizing the required knowledge, skills and abilities, such as police law enforcement. Must have, or obtain, a current and valid Virginia or North Carolina drivers license in accordance with Virginia or North Carolina DMV drivers license eligibility requirements. U.S. citizenship as of the academy graduation date. Age 21 by the academy graduation date. Eligible for issuance of a handgun permit by the Commonwealth of Virginia. Successful completion of the selection process, including testing required for the police officer recruit level, full background investigation, polygraph, medical and psychological exams. Must be classified as fit for employment by the Occupational Health Office and able to pass the Departments annual physical assessment test. Must refrain from using all tobacco products on and off the job.
LATERAL POLICE OFFICER I MINIMUMS: High school diploma or GED. Must have one to three years’ experience as a law enforcement officer but not currently certified in the State of Virginia. Must have a current and valid driver’s license and be able to obtain a current Virginia or North Carolina driver’s license in accordance with Virginia or North Carolina DMV driver’s license eligibility within 30 days of Hire. U.S. citizenship; eligible for issuance of a handgun permit by the Commonwealth of Virginia. Successful completion of the selection process, full background investigation, polygraph, medical and psychological exams. Must be classified as fit for employment by the Occupational Health Office and able to pass the Department’s annual physical assessment test. Must refrain from using all tobacco products on and off the job.
LATERAL/POLICE OFFICER I SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Must be able to work rotating shifts (days/evenings/midnights) including weekends and holidays and be available to work overtime when required to meet operational needs. This position may require that incumbents wear and maintain appropriate personal protective equipment such as, but not limited to, steel toed shoes, safety glasses, gloves, or other designated safety attire and equipment in designated areas of risk. Specific requirements will be determined and communicated by the employees supervisor based on position assigned. This is a safety sensitive position and is subject to random drug testing. Positive drug test results may result in counseling and/or discipline, up to and including, termination.
Additional Requirements:
DMV Transcript: Required
CDL: Not Required
DOT History: Not Required
CPS Check: Not Required
Physical: Required
Respirator: Required
Polygraph Review: Required
Psychological Screening: Required
Attachments Required: None.
Preferences:
Service-oriented individuals who are committed to furthering the City's vision of being a "community for a lifetime." Individuals who share our departmental values of Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Dedication and Excellence (PRIDE). Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to relate to individuals from diverse backgrounds. Individuals who value learning and who have made maintaining personal physical fitness a lifestyle choice.
Preference may be given to individuals with college degrees, military veterans, or law enforcement related certifications.
Special Instructions:
In state Lateral Police Officer candidates are required to attend an abbreviated academy for experienced officers and a brief Police Training Officer (PTO) phase (12 weeks*) before being released to work independently within their assigned precinct.
Out of state Lateral Officer candidates are required to attend an abbreviated Option 5 Academy for experienced Officers and Police Training Officer field training of 12 weeks.
Current DCJS Certified jailers who qualify for Option 6 will be hired within the Virginia Beach Police rank structure with a salary commensurate with their experience and qualifications up to the level of Police Officer I and are eligible for a hiring bonus. Option 6 candidates are required to attend an abbreviated 16-20 weeks academy and a brief Police Training Officer (PTO) phase (12 weeks) before being released to work independently within their assigned precinct.
DOC certified Jailers do not qualify for the Option 6 Academy and will be required to attend the Full Basic Law Enforcement Academy.
This recruitment is open until filled. Applications will be reviewed on a regular basis.
Applicants must:
• Successfully complete testing and have an acceptable background investigation, including a polygraph exam
• Maintain eligibility for issuance of a handgun permit by the Commonwealth of Virginia
• Maintain eligibility for access to the NCIC/VCIN network administered by the Virginia State Police
• Maintain eligibility for Department of Criminal Justice Services certification
• Upon receiving a conditional offer of employment, successfully complete medical and psychological exams (provided at City expense)
o Note: The pre-employment medical exam includes drug testing for a variety of substances, including marijuana
*12 weeks is the minimum PTO phase. This time frame may be extended for officers who require additional time working in partnership with a Virginia Beach training officer.
VRS Contribution: All full-time employees are required to contribute 5% of annual salary toward their retirement account; in accordance with VRS retirement provisions. This will be handled through a pre-tax payroll deduction.
Drug Free Workplace: The City of Virginia Beach maintains a drug free workplace.