Fairfax County Police Department

CONTACT INFORMATION: 24/7 Emergency Response; Office and Program Hours Vary
703-691-2131 TTY 711 (Non-Emergency)
12099 Government Center Parkway
Fairfax, VA 22035
Kevin Davis
Chief of Police

Department Resources

Police Apprentice

If you’re between the ages of 17 ½ to 20 and are interested in becoming a police apprentice, the Fairfax County Police Department’s Police Apprentice program is for you!

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS for Police Apprentices (APPLY HERE).

The duties vary widely and no two days are alike. Apprentices may be assigned to one or more areas of the police department:

  • Assigned to any of the police district stations
  • Quartermaster
  • Criminal investigations
  • Crime scene investigations
  • Central records
  • Operations Support Bureau (traffic, special operations, helicopter)
  • Criminal Justice Academy
  • Public Affairs Bureau

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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.

Certificates and Licenses Required:

  • Possession of a valid driver's license at the time of appointment.

  • 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 17 ½ years of age on the date of application to begin the selection process and must be 18 years of age at date of appointment.
  • Must successfully complete a criminal background investigation, a polygraph examination, a psychological examination, and a physical ability test prior to appointment. If under age 18, applicants will need parental consent to participate in some phases of the application and screening process
  • 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.
  • 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 successfully complete a physical abilities test.
  • Applicants must obtain a Class A medical rating prior to appointment.
  • Ability to perform essential job functions with or without a reasonable accommodation.

  • See Fairfax County Employee Benefits
  • All uniforms and equipment provided by Department
  • The salary for a Police Apprentice is $34,319.17 (S-09)
  • For more information on benefits, for "E" status employees, request a benefits packet from your recruiting contact

Apprentices pursuing a college education may be eligible for tuition reimbursement if the program is funded within the Department's budget.

  • Self-completion of Applicant Initial Screening Guide
  • Completion of the Personal History Statement
  • Polygraph
  • Psychological evaluation
  • Physical Abilities Test (View a video of the Physical Abilities Test)
  • Background interview
  • Medical exam
  • Background investigation 8-12 weeks

There is no written entrance exam.  The entire background process generally takes 4-6 months from date of application to case completion, and we do our best to consolidate phases of the process to accommodate out of state applicants.

  • 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 you 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.
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