Minimum qualifications:

• Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to a high school diploma or a GED Certificate issued by a Board of Education and recognized by the Commonwealth of Virginia. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Associate or higher degree in law enforcement, public administration or related field.  Prior law enforcement or military experience. 
• Current law enforcement officer certification in the Commonwealth of Virginia.  Professional working proficiency, or higher, in a foreign language or American Sign Language (Proficiency level to be evaluated).

Certificates and Licenses Required:

• Possession of a valid Operator’s license at the time of appointment.

By the end of the probationary period, must possess the following:

• Certification as a Law Enforcement Officer by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services.
• Certification in the Virginia Crime Information Network (VCIN).
• Certification in firearms proficiency.

• Must be a citizen of the United States; or a permanent resident alien with an application for naturalization filed and pending with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services may be considered. 
• Must be 20 ½ years old, or within 180 days of 21^st birthday at time of application.
• Must successfully complete a criminal background investigation, a polygraph examination, a psychological examination, and a physical ability test prior to appointment.
• Illegal drug use will be reviewed with respect to recent use, type of drug and frequency of use.
• Must have never committed, been involved in, pled guilty or no contest, or been convicted of a felony or serious misdemeanor offense, to include domestic violence or any crime of moral turpitude as an adult.  A juvenile arrest will be considered on a case-by-case basis.  
• Must be of good character and reputation.
• Must have a stable work record.
• Ability to perform essential job functions with or without a reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to successfully complete a 6-month Police Recruit Training Academy.
• Ability to successfully complete a Field Training Program.
• Incumbents shall not use any tobacco products on and off duty starting at the time of appointment.
• The incumbent must be willing to sign a Condition of Employment Agreement acknowledging the prohibition of the use of tobacco products both on and off duty.

Physical Requirements:

• Subsequent to a conditional job offer, must successfully pass a comprehensive medical exam, including drug testing and vision standard not worse than 20/200, provided you have had at least three months of success wearing soft contact lenses. Without soft contact lenses, uncorrected vision cannot be worse than 20/100. Prior to receiving a medical classification, recipients of LASIK surgery and Radial Keratotomy are subject to minimum waiting periods of three and six months, respectively. All vision must be corrected to 20/20. 
• Applicants must obtain a Class A medical rating prior to appointment and pass physical requirements at academy.  
• Ability to perform essential job functions with or without a reasonable accommodation.

• See Employee Benefit Summary (FY2024)
• All uniforms and equipment provided by Department
• Police Officer I (O-18) range: $65,747 - $112,450*
• Police Officer II (O-18) range: $65.747 - $112,450
• Master Police Officer III (O-19) range: $69,034 - $118,072
• Police Sergeant (O-21) range: $76,110- $130,174

*Entry-level salary will be determined within pay grade based upon relevant preferred qualifications; college degree, prior law enforcement and military experience; and foreign language proficiency up to $68,880.

• Eligible for promotion to Police Officer First-Class (O-18) after two years of satisfactory sworn service.
• Eligible for promotion to Detective is a competitive testing and assessment process open to Private First-Class Officers with two years of satisfactory sworn service.
• Eligible for promotion to Master Police Officer (O-19) is a competitive process open to Private First-Class Officers with five years of satisfactory sworn service.
• Eligible for promotion to a supervisory position of Police Sergeant (O-20) is a competitive testing and assessment process open to Private First-Class Officers with four years of satisfactory sworn service.

• Self-completion of Applicant Initial Screening Guide - 1 Hour
• Polygraph- 3 hours
• Psychological evaluation- 8 hours
• Physical abilities Test- 3 hours (View a video of the Physical Abilities Test)
• Background interview- 4 hours
• Medical exam- 4 hours
• Background investigation – 8-12 weeks

• Applicants must begin the application process here.

For more information:

• Applicants needing assistance or with additional questions regarding the application process may call the HR Central Application Center at 703-222-5872.
• To reach one of our recruiters with any questions related to your application or the process itself, please email us at BeFCPD@fairfaxcounty.gov and include a phone number and one of our recruiters will be in touch with you as soon as possible.
• It is the policy of the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) to recruit, select, assign, promote, and retain personnel without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, age, disability, veterans’ status, disabled veterans’ status, political or union affiliation, genetic information, or national origin based on our recruiting, selection, assignment, promotion, and retention results.  Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972, the Pregnancy Act of 1978, and sections 503 and 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and all applicable Federal and State statutes, prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, or national origin, including any term, condition, or privilege of employment which are fully supported and implemented within FCPD.  Also, discrimination is prohibited based upon age, disability, veterans’ status, disabled veterans’ status, political affiliation, marital status, genetic information, or union affiliation.  Moreover, the FCPD prohibits discrimination because of disabilities regarding the terms, conditions, and privileges of employment, and will provide reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities as required under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).   Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance; TTY 703-222-7314. Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. EEO/AA/TTY.