Police Officer (Certified/Sworn)

Salary : $55,868.80 - $60,777.60 Annually
Location : Harrisonburg, VA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 5533 - (Aug 2025)
Department: Police
Opening Date: 08/26/2025
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Non-Exempt


Description
$10,000 HIRING INCENTIVE AVAILABLE TO NEW OFFICERS*

The City of Harrisonburg is currently accepting applications for individuals interested in joining the Harrisonburg Police Department (HPD) who are currently certified as a Law Enforcement Officer through the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), the Federal Government, or another state. HPD offers a rewarding career plus an excellent benefits package, including enhanced hazardous duty through the Virginia Retirement System (VRS). and be sure to come back to this page to apply.

The Police Officer role has a preferred hiring range of $26.86 - $29.22 per hour (equivalent to $55,868 - $60,777 annually); however, an exact salary will be dependent upon the selected candidate's qualifications/experience and in compliance with City policy. As a Police Officer with HPD, you'll engage in diverse law enforcement activities, conduct investigations into criminal activities, ensure public safety, provide courtroom testimony, maintain and organize records, prepare detailed reports, and perform other duties as assigned.
*$10,000 Hiring Incentive Date of Hire $5,000 Completion of Initial Period of Employment
(12 Months for Certified Police Officers)$5,000

Minimum Qualifications

• Currently certified as a Law Enforcement Officer through the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), the Federal Government or another state.
• High School Diploma or GED. College Degree or Military Experience, preferred.
• 21 years of age at time of application.
• U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident Alien with an application for Naturalization filed and pending with Immigration Services, if DCJS-approved.
• Valid driver's license with acceptable record per City policy.
• Availability to work 12-hour shifts (currently 6am-6pm or 6pm-6am).
• Must live or be willing to move within a one (1) hour drive of Harrisonburg, VA.

The selected candidates for Police Officer positions will be subject to the following screenings and must receive satisfactory results:

• DMV Driving Record Review;
• Drug Screen;
• Personal History Statement***;
• Criminal Background Investigation, including Social Media Review & Fingerprinting;
• Credit Check;
• Physical Abilities Test;
• Job-Specific Physical;
• Psychological Evaluation; and
• Polygraph.

***Due to the sensitive nature of this position's essential functions, the successful applicants selected for the role will be required to submit a completed Personal History Statement. At a later date, more information will be provided to the candidates selected for this step in this process.
The following documents are some examples of what will be required at a later phase in the process: Social Security Card, Driver's License, Passport, Birth Certificate, Marriage/Divorce Documents, DD214, Sealed College Transcripts and High School Diploma. These documents are not required at the time of the Personal History Statement submission. When the applicable documents are requested by the Harrisonburg Police Department, you will be expected to provide them.
Supplemental Information
To Apply: In order to be considered, all candidates must submit a complete City of Harrisonburg online employment application, including previous work experience and education history. This position may close at any time after 10 calendar days. (posted 08/26/2025)
If you have questions after reviewing this information, please contact the Human Resources Department at View phone number on click.appcast.io or Applicants who require reasonable accommodations during the application process should contact Human Resources. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to participate in the recruitment process.
Veterans and minorities are encouraged to register and apply.
The City provides an excellent benefits package including health insurance, retirement (VRS with Enhanced Hazardous Duty Benefits, & MissionSquare), life insurance, paid leave, and holidays.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or veteran status.
The City of Harrisonburg is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Full-time employees are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, including 15.5 observed holidays. More information on available benefits is listed on the City's website
01


Are you a current certified Law Enforcement Officer in the state of Virginia, with the Federal Government, or in another state? Please note that Jail Officer/Jail Deputy certifications are not considered Law Enforcement Officer certifications per the DCJS.

• Yes
• No

02


What is your highest level of education?

• Less than 8th Grade
• Completed 8th Grade
• Attended High School
• High School Graduate
• GED
• Attend College
• College Graduate
• Attended Graduate School
• Master's Degree
• Graduate study beyond Master's
• Ph.D. or professional degree

03


Are you 21 years of age or older?

• Yes
• No

04


Are you a United States Citizen OR are you a Permanent Resident Alien with an application for Naturalization filed and pending with Immigration Services?

• Yes
• No

05


Do you have a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

06


Do you currently live or are you willing to relocate to live within a one (1) hour drive of the Harrisonburg Police Department?

• Yes
• No

07


Are you available to work 12-hour shifts (currently 6am-6pm or 6pm-6am)?

• Yes
• No

08


If you have military experience, please provide your Military Occupational Specialty (MOS), Rank, Time in Service, and Type of Discharge.
09


I am an applicant for the position of police officer with the Harrisonburg Police Department. I have been informed that as a part of the process for this position it is necessary for me to submit to a Physical Abilities Test which measures my ability to successfully perform the essential job tasks of the position for which I have applied. Tasks may include, but are not limited to, running, jumping, climbing, and crawling.The testing protocol has been explained to my satisfaction, and I am unaware of any disabilities that would prohibit my performing the required tests.By my electronic selection, I hereby waive any and all claims of liability against the City of Harrisonburg and any of its public safety agencies to include the Harrisonburg Police Department for any and all injuries and/or damage that I may suffer as a result of my performance in the Physical Abilities Test.

• Yes, I have read, understand, and agree.
• No, I have not read, do not understand, and/or do not agree.

10


Within the past twelve months, have you used any illegal drugs? For the purpose of responding to this question, "illegal drugs" include the unauthorized or illegal use of prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs; it also includes the illegal use of any other substance for the purpose of getting "high."

• Yes
• No

11


If you responded "yes" to question #10 above, please provide details including drug(s) used, most recent date used, and circumstances in the field below. If you responded "no" to the question above, please type "N/A" in the field below.
Required Question