Police Officer

Police Officer

Join a dedicated team of principled public servants that are committed to building leaders who inspire and achieve excellence through the practice of core values including innovation, diversity, learning, integrity, and stewardship. We are seeking individuals to serve the citizens of Albemarle County, Virginia as Police Officers who are committed to partnering with the community and have demonstrated superior ability as a leader.

The Albemarle County Police Department is dedicated to community engagement through Geographical Policing (geo-policing). In collaboration with others, the Albemarle County Police Department protects and promotes community safety, ensures the safe and orderly movement of traffic, and seeks solutions to any problems that create fear or threaten the quality of life in the county. The Albemarle County Police Department was created in 1983 to assume primary responsibility for law enforcement. The department's present authorized strength is 152 sworn officers, 35 civilian employees, and a large volunteer workforce.

In 2012, the department divided Albemarle County into two separate geographic districts: the Jefferson District and the Blue Ridge District. When officers are assigned to their geographic districts, they can meet the specific needs of a community which resides in 726 square miles and has a unique blend of rural and urban developments. Our motto, "Protecting your future…today", reflects throughout our three strategic goals: Geographic Based Policing, Regional Emergency Preparedness and Investing in our People. With these three pillars as the foundation, we strive to better both the department and the community we serve.

A Police Officer performs general duty police work in the protection of life and property through the enforcement of laws and ordinances. The work in this position normally consists of routine patrol, preliminary investigation and traffic control duties in a designated area on an assigned shift. Patrol may be performed in motor vehicles, on motorcycles or on foot. Police Officer duties involve an element of personal danger and employees must be able to act without immediate supervision and exercise independent judgment in meeting emergencies. An Officer may be assigned to work on special assignments or as an investigator, K-9 officer, plainclothes officer, community relations officer or training officer. Specific work assignments are made by a Police Sergeant or other superior, and work methods and results are checked through personal inspections, review of reports and discussions.

Essential Functions:

• Patrols the County to preserve law and order, to identify and solve problems, to prevent and discover the commission of crimes, to serve the public and to direct traffic and enforce motor vehicle laws;
• Answers calls and complaints involving fire, automobile accidents, neighborhood disturbances and other misdemeanor and felony crimes occurring in the County;
• Secures crime scenes, administers first aid, conducts preliminary investigations, gathers evidence, obtains witnesses and makes arrests;
• Testifies in court in connection with arrests and citations;
• Conducts criminal investigations and sensitive internal investigations;
• Interviews/interrogates suspects, gathers information and prepares detailed reports;
• Interviews individuals with complaints and inquiries, attempts to make proper disposition or directs them to proper authorities;
• Give advice on laws, ordinances, and general information to the public;
• Covers an assigned sector/beat in County with primary emphasis on community policing/problem solving;
• Maintains evidence and other property;
• Recruits applicants for police positions;
• Attends regular in-service training classes to maintain state certification;
• Performs crime prevention activities (security surveys, presentations to civic and business groups, etc.);
• Conducts follow-up investigations;
• Performs related work as required.

Competency: Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Some knowledge of police methods, practices and procedures, or the ability to acquire this knowledge and apply it to specific situations.
• Some knowledge of the geography of the County and the location of important landmarks and buildings, or the ability to acquire this knowledge rapidly.
• Ability to deal courteously but firmly with the general public.
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions, and to prepare clear and comprehensive reports.
• Physical ability to perform job tasks.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers and the general public.

Required Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or GED.
• Must be at least 21 years of age prior to completion of the training academy.
• A combination of education, training and experience equivalent to two years of continuous employment.
• Successful applicants must pass a written and a physical agility test.
• Possess or be eligible for a valid driver's license issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia.
• Be a U.S. citizen;
• Have no conviction of felonies and/or habitual misdemeanors.
• Pass an extensive background investigation which includes a polygraph, psychological, medical and drug screening.
• Must also successfully complete appropriate training as required by the Commonwealth of Virginia, Department of Criminal Justice Services for certified police officers.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• College-level coursework or prior work experience in law enforcement, corrections or armed services preferred.

Physical and Mental Requirements:

• Must be able to operate motor vehicle under normal and emergency conditions.
• Must be able to physically subdue and restrain an individual.
• Sitting for extended periods of time.
• Requires extensive walking, standing, running and frequent heavy lifting and pushing.
• Requires working in adverse weather.
• Flexible shift hours (to include nights) in stressful and sometimes life threatening conditions.
• Must carry a firearm and qualify at least annually with the weapon.

Hiring Salary:

A new police officer recruit without any prior relevant experience will have a starting salary of $60,817 (starting July 1, 2026) per year based on the Public Safety Payscale. Officers are also eligible for education stipends for completed Associate's Degree of $1,000 per year or Bachelor's Degree of $2,000 per year. The position also provides excellent benefits including 12 paid holidays, paid vacation and sick leave, health insurance options with employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance, VRS retirement, and continuing education/training opportunities. This is a full time, FLSA Non-exempt position. Internal candidates will receive pay adjustments in accordance with Local Government Personnel Policy, §P-60.

Sign-On Incentive:

Eligible recruit officers (full academy required) may receive a total sign-on incentive of up to $7,500, distributed as follows: -$2,500 upon hire, paid on the first paycheck following start date; -$2,500 upon successful academy graduation; -$2,500 upon successful completion of the probationary period.

Eligible certified or lateral officers may receive a total sign-on incentive of up to $12,000, distributed as follows: -$3,000 upon hire, paid on the first paycheck following start date; -Following successful completion of ninety (90) days of employment, $1,000 per month for up to nine (9) consecutive months, contingent upon continued employment.

Albemarle County Core Values:

Community: We expect diversity, equity, and inclusion to be integrated into how we live our mission.

Integrity: We value our customers and co-workers by always providing honest and fair treatment.

Innovation: We embrace creativity and positive change.

Stewardship: We honor our role as stewards of the public trust by managing our natural, human, and financial resources respectfully and responsibly.

Learning: We encourage and support lifelong learning and personal and professional growth.

EEO/EOE

Albemarle County is an equal employment opportunity employer, and does not discriminate against any group or individual on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age or disability in regards to any aspect of employment policy and practice: recruitment, testing, selection, assignment, pay, conditions of work, training, leave, overtime, promotion, discipline, demotion, and separation.

Virginia Values Veterans

Albemarle County is a Certified V3 organization.