Police Officer I (Lateral, Currently Certified)

Job Description

Job Description

CONTINUOUS POSTING

Police Officer I (Lateral, Currently Certified)

This recruitment is for currently certified DCJS Police Officers (Lateral Transfers).

$76,400 - $122,599.57

(onsite)

The City of Falls Church Police Department is a highly respected, professional public safety agency committed to providing the highest level of service that our community expects. Located six miles from Washington D.C., the City of Falls Church is an independent City, separate from neighboring Arlington and Fairfax Counties, with its own school system, municipal government, and police department. At just over 2 square miles in area, "The Little City" is known for its urban village community, quality customer service, and independent spirit.

The City of Falls Church Police Department seeks DCJS Certified Police Officers to join our dedicated team of sworn and civilian professionals. The City of Falls Church Police Department offers opportunities in a variety of divisions and specialized assignments, including patrol, investigations, K-9, traffic, community services, and School Resource Officers. Our department strongly values and supports professional development by providing continuous training and educational opportunities. All officers participate in ongoing training throughout their career to learn new skills, strengthen current ones, and keep up with current state laws and policies.

The City of Falls Church is a culturally diverse community, and we welcome all applicants who are motivated, mission oriented, and committed to upholding the core values of the Police Department: Protection of Life, Community Engagement, Respect, Accountability & Integrity, Fairness, Professionalism, and Innovation.

This is a full-time, non-exempt position that provides excellent City employee benefits, including health, dental, vacation, and sick leave, plus a generous retirement plan specifically for uniformed public safety officers. Once hired, all lateral officers must successfully pass a one-year probationary period after completion of Field Training. Lateral officers are eligible to start at a higher salary step equal to their certified years of prior primary law enforcement experience (up to 17 years). 

Minimum Qualifications

To become a Police Officer with the City of Falls Church Police Department, you must meet the minimum qualifications for law enforcement office as defined in VA Code § 15.2-1705 and other hiring requirements.

• Age: must be at least 20 years and 6 months of age at the time of application and at least 21 by the date of hire.
• Character/Background Assessment: applicants that continue past the exam/interview phase will undergo a comprehensive background investigation and character check. Individual situations will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis; however, a favorable driving record and a clean criminal history are essential. The police department retains the right to reject any applicant for any arrest and/or conviction that occurred at any age (unless the arrest or criminal charge against them has been expunged, pursuant to Virginia Code § 15.2-1705).

All aspects of an applicant's background are considered when making a final hiring determination, however applicants who have past or current behavior(s) as listed below may be disqualified:

• Have ever engaged in any activity that would support a felony conviction
• Have convictions or charges pending for misdemeanor crimes relating to theft, domestic violence, assault, crimes of moral turpitude (such as lying under oath or falsifying official documents), any crime requiring registration on the Sex Offender Registry at any age, or any crime which carries a penalty of prohibiting the ownership of, possession, or control of a firearm.
• Have recent convictions for D.U.I., D.W.I, or multiple convictions for speeding and other moving violations.
• Have associations with or support in any fashion any criminal gang, extremist-racist, Anti-Semitic group, or any group that has stated a desire to overthrow the United States Government.
• Have recent history of bankruptcy, substantial debts with collection agencies, or poor credit record that indicates poor financial literacy.
• Illicit use of any Schedule 1 drugs (illegal drugs never prescribed for any legitimate purpose), Schedule 2 drugs (medicinal drugs not used in a manner consistent with what they are prescribed for), or anabolic steroids (unless prescribed by a physician) within three years of the date of application.
• Having sold, distributed, or manufactured any prescription or illegal drugs without legal authorization.
• Any previous revocation or denial of certification as Police Officer or a suspension of current certified status.
• Failure to provide a fully completed, honestly reported, Personal History Statement, including intentional withholding of information on any application, interview, or paperwork associated with the position

Citizenship: must be a United States citizen. Permanent resident aliens with an application for naturalization filed and pending with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services may also be considered.

Driver’s License: must possess or be able to obtain a valid driver’s license by date of hire. Any offer of employment may be contingent upon a favorable review of the applicant’s driving record.

Education: must have a high school diploma or passed the GED.

Physical Condition: must be in good physical condition as determined by a licensed medical professional provided by the City of Falls Church Human Resources Department. This medical assessment may include tests on physical agility, near vision, color blindness, darkness perception, night vision, and peripheral vision.

Substance Use:

• No use of marijuana from the date of application, regardless of location use (includes states/counties where usage may be legal).
• No use of any tobacco or marijuana products from the date of hire. The City of Falls Church Police Department is a drug and tobacco free work environment.
• Candidates who fail their pre-employment drug screening will be disqualified.

Work Agreements:

• Must sign an employment agreement contract if hired.
• Must be able to work 12.5 hour rotating shifts.
• Successful completion of field training and one (1) year of probationary period after field training.
• Lateral candidates must have a Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) Law Enforcement Officer certification or law enforcement certification in any other state AND ability to obtain a DCJS training waiver.

Hiring and Selection Process:

There is a multi-phase hiring and selection process to determine applicant eligibility for becoming an officer with the City of Falls Church Police Department. Applicants must pass each phase of the process to be considered as a candidate eligible for hire.

1. Apply - Applicants complete and submit the City of Falls Church Job Application.

2. Interview - Eligible candidates will be invited to the Police Department to participate in a panel interview. All active, local, state and federal law enforcement officers, excluding Military Police Officers, are exempt from taking the police entrance exam.

3. Background Investigation - Selected candidates will undergo a comprehensive background investigation and character check that includes fingerprinting, polygraph examination, and psychological assessment.

4. Final Interviews - Selected candidates will be invited to interview with City of Falls Church Chief of Police Shahram Fard.

5. Candidates Notified of Job Offers - Offers are contingent on medical assessment and drug screening for final employment.

Salary and Benefits

Effective July 1, 2026, the salary for newly hired Police Officers starts at $76,400. Certified officers may begin at a higher salary step matching their years of primary law enforcement experience (up to 17 years), with a maximum starting salary of $122,599.57.

Police Officers who work between 6:00 PM and 6:00 AM are eligible for additional shift pay differential. The City of Falls Church offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, dental insurance, police pension plan, deferred compensation plan, flexible spending account, life and long-term disability insurance, paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, free parking, credit union membership, and more.  See for additional information.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Falls Church does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, or disability.  The City of Falls Church Police Department makes every effort to recruit qualified individuals from all backgrounds and is proud of the diversity across all positions within the department.

The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This document will be made available in alternate format upon request. Call Talent Acquisition Manager, Meaghan DeCelle at View phone number on ziprecruiter.com, (TTY 711).

Our commitment to an inclusive workplace:  The City of Falls Church is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a workplace free from harassment and discrimination. We celebrate the unique differences of our employees because that is what drives curiosity, innovation, and the success of our organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, pregnancy, parental status, genetic information, political affiliation, or any other status protected by the federal, state and/or local laws or regulations. Accommodations may be requested for applicants with disabilities.  To request a reasonable accommodation, please contact the Human Resources Department at  View email address on ziprecruiter.com or View phone number on ziprecruiter.com.  Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

All City facilities are smoke free.