Police Officer

Police Officer

The Arlington County Police Department (ACPD) is seeking qualified Police Officers to join our team of over 460 employees who serve a diverse and engaged community by upholding the core principles of the department. ACPD welcomes motivated and service minded individuals who are committed to lifelong learning and who will uphold the values and core principles of the department. Our recruits perform responsible and challenging duties associated with community-based policing and include response to both emergency and non-emergency calls for service, preliminary criminal investigations, and special event planning. Learn more about a career as a Police Officer with Arlington County.

Joining our team as a law enforcement officer has unique benefits and provides challenging opportunities:

• Work in an engaged and diverse urban community and tourist destination just five miles from the heart of the nation's capital, in one of the most densely populated counties in the state of Virginia
• Join one of our specialized divisions or units such as the K9 unit, motorcycle unit, tactical operations units such as SWAT and crisis negotiation, community and business outreach units, and honor guard.
• Serve in a wide variety of areas such as patrol, special and tactical operations, community engagement, investigations, training, and recruitment to help move the department forward in its three key initiatives
• Participate in additional training opportunities to advance your career and achieve goals as professional law enforcement officer
• Collaborate with other regional, state, and federal law enforcement agencies who are dedicated to ensuring the safety of our community and region
• Work a 15-day fixed shift as a patrol officer, with two weekends off per month
• Patrol officers work the equivalent of a 37.5 hour work week with 4 and 5 days off at a time
• Earn additional pay for certifications and other specialty areas

All Arlington County Police Officers are eligible for County government employee benefits that includes health, dental, vacation and sick leave, commuter transportation subsidies, tuition reimbursement, as well as a generous retirement plan specifically for uniformed public safety officers.

To participate in the Police Officer recruitment process, all candidates must meet the following requirements:

• Education: Applicants must have completed at least 60 semester hours, or 90 quarter hours, of course work at an accredited college or university, with some exceptions as detailed below.
• Age: Applicants must be at least 20 years and 6 months of age at time of application.
• Other Requirements: Other additional and special minimum requirements may apply. Click here to view other requirements.

Substitution to the educational requirement: Prior law enforcement experience - One year post law enforcement academy experience as a full time sworn law enforcement officer with a recognized local, state or federal law enforcement agency.

-OR-

Prior military experience -- Two years of full time, continuous active duty experience with the United States Military and have, or are eligible to receive, an 'honorable discharge' (Candidates tested before discharge will be required to present an honorable discharge' before hire.)

-OR-

Prior or current military experience – Four years of continuous service in the National Guard or Reserves or participation in a designated military campaign or service in a combat zone, as evidenced by receipt of a campaign or expeditionary medal, and have, or are eligible to receive, an "honorable discharge." (Candidates approved for hire prior to separation will be required to provide proof of an "honorable discharge" or documentation reflecting current honorable service if still actively serving. Candidates will also be required to provide official documentation verifying qualifying campaign or combat service.)

-OR-

Participation in Arlington County's Police Cadet program – Completed at least one year in the Cadet program and obtained at least thirty credit hours (or equivalent) at an accredited college or university. Police Officers hired through the Cadet Program must obtain a total of sixty credit hours within two years of completing Field Training. The probation period of Police Officers hired through the Police Cadet program may be extended an additional 12 months (not to exceed a total of 24 months) while the employee completes any education requirements that remain after Field Training is complete. Failure to meet the education requirements within this timeframe will lead to discharge.

Note: Candidates qualifying for employment with a substitution will be eligible for Police Officer and Police Corporal positions only. Candidates must complete sixty semester hours or ninety quarter hours of college work at an accredited college or university in order to compete for the positions at ranks above Corporal.

Special Requirements

Selection Process: There is a multi-stage selection process to determine applicant eligibility to become an Arlington County Police Officer. A candidate must pass each stage of the selection process to be considered eligible for hire. These stages include:

• Screening for minimum qualifications;
• Written examination;
• Character/background investigation including polygraph examination, photographing and fingerprinting;
• Panel interview;
• Stress test / Chest X-ray;
• Psychological evaluation;
• Drug testing; and
• Medical examination.

Additional Information

As of July 1, 2026, the starting salary for Arlington County Police Officers will be $90,012, and the starting salary for lateral officers will be up to $103,330.

Written Examination: After you have submitted your application and it is determined that you are eligible to participate in the selection process, you will receive specific instructions by e-mail about how to schedule yourself for a written examination.

Lateral Hires: Arlington County Police Department welcomes current law enforcement officers to apply as a lateral hire. Additional information about applying as a lateral hire from another law enforcement agency can be viewed here. Education Requirement Substitution: To be eligible for promotion to the rank of Sergeant or above, all officers must complete 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of college work at an accredited college or university, regardless of prior law enforcement or military experience. If an applicant is hired using the education requirement substitutions, they will only be eligible for the ranks of Police Officer and Corporal until they have achieved 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of accredited college course work.

Required Skills

• Reading and Writing