Police Officer Recruit

Salary: $56,585.00 Annually
Location : City of Colonial Heights, VA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 40-26
Department: Police
Division: Police/Animal Control
Opening Date: 07/01/2026
Closing Date: Continuous


Description
** NOW accepting applications for the January 2027 Crater Criminal Justice Academy. **

Police Officer (Non-Certified): The final candidates must be available to attend a required Law Enforcement Academy (6-months) in January 2027 , which is paid by the City of Colonial Heights

* * ONE-DAY HIRING EVENT INFORMATION * *

• A one-day hiring event will take place in August AND September.
• Selected candidates will be sent an email 10 days prior to testing with a link to RSVP to the testing.
• RSVP is required to ensure adequate testing materials are available.
• Candidates will need to arrive by 7:00 a.m. with a valid government issued identification on the day of testing in order to check in for the event,
• Late arrivals will not be allowed to enter the testing facility.
• Physical Agility Testing will begin at 7:15 a.m. with a written test immediately following.
• Candidates that successfully pass both tests will then proceed to an on-site panel interview.

Examples of Duties
• Enforces the law, criminal investigations, traffic regulation and control.
• Provides emergency and other services.
• Responds to and investigates criminal activity.
• Performs patrol duties.
• Responds to calls for service.
• Serves warrants and assists in civil matters.
• Develops, distributes, and files reports.
• Operates electronic equipment in the enforcement of traffic laws.
• Testifies in court.
• Addresses public inquiries.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education & Experience
Minimum Qualifications
All potential applicants must meet the following criteria:
• Be a citizen of the United States of America ().
• Must be 21 years of age prior to completing academy.
• Graduated from an accredited high school or GED certificate; college coursework in criminal justice or police science is desirable but not required.
• Possess or be eligible to obtain a valid Virginia operators license.
• In good physical condition as determined by a physician.
• Have corrected vision of 20/20 or better in each eye.
• Of good character and reputation.
• Have not been convicted of or pleaded guilty or no contest to a felony or any offense that would be a felony if committed in Virginia ().
• Not have produced a positive result on a pre-employment drug screening ().
• Successfully pass all phases of our police selection process, which will include a written examination, physical agility test, extensive background investigation, polygraph examination, psychological screening, medical and drug screening.
• If not already a Virginia Certified Police Officer, ability to successfully complete a department approved Law Enforcement Academy and obtain appropriate public safety certifications within a specified period of time.
• View more information about for employment with the Colonial Heights Police Department.
Physical Demands & Work Environment
The work requires considerable and strenuous physical exertion such as frequent climbing, lifting of objects weighing in excess of 74 pounds, moving in areas of difficult or dangerous access.

The work environment involves extremely high risks with exposure to potentially life threatening situations or unusual environmental stress which requires a full range of safety and other precautions, but in some cases, these precautions cannot prevent injury, illness, or possibly death.
Benefits include Health Insurance (Anthem), Virginia Retirement System, Group Life Insurance, and Short-Term Disability coverage. This is a full-time position with 14 paid holidays each year.
The City is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Full-Time Employee Benefits:

Health Insurance -

• The Local Choice Program (Anthem, Delta Dental, and Blue Vision).
• Health, Dental, and Vision benefits are included as a package under our health insurance program and cannot be purchased as separate coverage items.
• Health insurance benefits start on the 1st of the month following the hire date.
• Benefit Summaries

Retirement -


Supplemental Retirement -

• We offer supplemental Retirement plans through Mission Square Retirement.
• Employees can enroll in the following plans at any time during their employment.

Paid Holiday Leave

• The city observes 14 holidays throughout the year (except certain departments if scheduling does not permit).

Paid Vacation Leave

Years of Service

Day(s) Earned

Per Month

Max. Annual

Accrual Days

Max. Days for

Carry Forward

0 - 5 Years

1

12

24

Over 5 Years

1¼

15

30

Over 10 Years

1½

18

36

Over 20 Years

1¾

21

42

Paid Sick Leave

• All full-time employees earn (1¼) days of paid sick leave for each calendar month of employment and is accumulated without limit.

Compensatory Leave

• Non-Exempt employees may accumulate compensatory leave only for overtime worked which is authorized prior to the performance of such work. Compensatory leave may be accumulated at the rate of 1 1/2 times the regular rate for all hours worked in excess of 40 during a work week. Compensatory leave for nonexempt employees is voluntary but in no instance may exceed 120 hours of accumulated leave. All hours in excess of 120 hours will be compensated on the same basis as approved overtime.

Voluntary Benefits -

• Employees have 30 days from their hire date to enroll in the following benefits. If an employee does not enroll, they cannot enroll until the next Open Enrollment.

Colonial Life Products

Pre-Tax:

Post Tax:

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

Critical Illness

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Disability

Cancer

Term Life

Accident

Whole Life

Medical Bridge

Student Loan Forgiveness Program

* Note: Employees can only enroll in Flexible Spending Accounts (Health Care FSA and Dependent Care FSA) during Open Enrollment in May of each year. *

Other Benefits

• Bi-weekly payday
• Virginia Credit Union membership
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• City Sick Leave Bank Program (VRS Plan 1 and Plan 2 Members only)
• VRS Short-Term and Long-Term Disability (VRS Hybrid Members only)
• Education/tuition discounts through Liberty University

For additional information or more details about employee benefits please call the Human Resources Department at View phone number on click.appcast.io.
01


Are you currently a certified POLICE OFFICER in Virginia?

• Yes
• No

02


If you are not a certified Virginia Police Officer, have you successfully completed or are you currently enrolled in the Law Enforcement CPREP program at Crater Criminal Justice Training Academy?*NOTE: This does not include the Basic Jailor certification program.

• Yes
• No

03


Are you at least 21 years of age?

• Yes
• No

04


Highest level of education?

• High school diploma/GED
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree

05


How many years of directly related experience do you possess?

• 0 - 1
• 2 - 3
• 4 - 5
• 6 - 7
• 8 - 9
• 10+

06


Which best describes your level of experience using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)?

• No Experience
• Limited Experience
• Proficient Experience
• Advanced Experience

07


Are you available for emergency call outs, on-call duty, overtime and details outside the Courthouse?

• Yes
• No

08


I understand the annual salary for the Police Officer Recruit position is $56,585?

• Yes
• No

Required Question