Police Officer Recruit

• This is a full-time, non-exempt, position and provides excellent benefits including but not limited to: health insurance options with employer contribution, paid vacation and sick leave, paid holidays, employer-paid life insurance, City's retirement options, gym reimbursement program, and continuing education/training opportunities.
• For a general summary of benefits offered by the City, please click the 'benefits' tab on this posting, or visit https://www.charlottesville.gov/1047/Employee-Benefits.
• The City of Charlottesville manages its own retirement system and does not participate in VRS, however the City has a Portability Agreement with VRS and there are certain provisions that must be met. If questions pertaining to the Portability Agreement, please contact the City's Benefits Administrator at 434-970-3462.

• Qualified applicants will be invited, by email to the email address provided on the submitted application, to participate in an online written examination and to create an online account to digitally sign and complete a Personal History Statement (PHS) and a Release of Personal Records Information Consent form.
• Additional information can be found at https://www.cpdcareers.com

• Participates in and receives formal training at the Police Academy. Coursework and training includes but is not limited to: scheduled physical fitness, criminal and traffic laws, search and seizure, first aid/CPR, fair and impartial policing, cultural diversity, prevention of bias-based policing, defense tactics utilizing de-escalation techniques, firearms, driver training, officer survival, DUI investigation, active shooter, speed measurement, and crime scene investigation.
• Participates in ride alongs and experiences basic law enforcement functions necessary to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of a Police Office, which includes but are not limited to skilled performance of traffic control, general investigations, crime prevention, communications, first aid, crime scene investigation procedures, and fingerprinting.
• Becomes familiar with Virginia Laws and City ordinances.
• Becomes familiar with Charlottesville Police Department rules and regulations.
• Becomes familiar with Charlottesville Police Department computer systems to obtain, track, and report information.
• Participates in emergency vehicle operations training and firearm familiarization courses.
• Participates in mandatory and elective trainings.
• May be required to report to work on scheduled days off, or report back to work, should a disaster or emergency arise.
• Performs all duties with the highest degree of confidentiality and personal and professional integrity.
• Performs related duties as required.

Education Requirement:

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent required.

• Must be at least 20 years of age at time of the application and 21 years of age by police academy graduation.
• By employment start date, possession of a valid appropriate driver's permit issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia. (To view our driving eligibility requirements, visit https://www.charlottesville.gov/faq.aspx?qid=166).
• Must be a US citizen or be a permanent resident alien who, in accordance with the requirements of the USCIS, is eligible and has applied for citizenship (proof is required). Note: an application for waiver of minimum qualifications (citizenship) must be obtained and approved by the Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS).
• Must be able to successfully and satisfactorily pass all phases of the screening process, to include a written exam, physical agility test, oral interviews, completion of a comprehensive background investigation, a polygraph exam, psychological and medical exams, and pre-employment drug screening.
• Successful completion of the police academy and field training.
• Must obtain and maintain: Certification as a Law Enforcement Officer by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, Certification in the Virginia Crime Information Network (VCIN), and Certification in Firearms Proficiency.
• Must sign a Condition of Employment Agreement acknowledging the prohibition of the use of tobacco products on and off duty.

• Any felony convictions or serious misdemeanor convictions of domestic violence, sex offenses, or crimes involving moral turpitude, including but not limited to perjury, larceny, embezzlement, check fraud, or income tax evasion.
• Convicted of DUI or Hit & Run in the past 3 years.
• Use of marijuana after date of application, regardless of location of use (includes states/countries where usage may be legal).
• No non-prescription/unauthorized drug use after date of application, including but not limited to Adderall, Xanax, etc.
• Pattern of illegal use or misuse of prescription drugs in the last 3 years.
• Illegal experimental use of club drugs, such as Ketamine, GHB, Rohypnol, MDMA (Ecstasy), steroids, mushrooms, peyote, or aerosols within the last 3 years.
• Experimental use of any schedule I, II, III, or IV drug within the last five (5) years not covered above.
• Dealing (as an adult): manufacturing, cultivation, supplying, transporting, distributing, or selling any controlled, illegal or dangerous substance other than marijuana.
• Military dishonorable discharge or bad conduct discharge.
• Under criminal investigation or have criminal charges pending.
• Any previous revocation or denial of certification as Police Officer or a suspension of current certified status.
• Any body art, tattoo, or other modification (such as branding or gauges) that violates departmental policy.
• Failure to provide a fully completed, honestly reported Personal History Statement.

•  Associate degree or higher in law enforcement, public administration or related field from an accredited university or college; prior law enforcement, military, or corrections experience; current law enforcement certification in the Commonwealth of Virginia; professional working proficiency, or higher, in a foreign language or American Sign Language; law enforcement related internships.

NOTE: This job opportunity is advertised with a closing date of "Continuous." If interested in being considered, an application should be submitted as soon as possible. Applications will be evaluated on a continuous basis. Interviews will be conducted as soon as possible during the recruitment with candidates who are best qualified. Applications may no longer be considered once a candidate to fill the position is identified. This job announcement will close when the position(s) have been filled and may close at any time.

Must be in satisfactory health, that would not restrict the ability to perform and safely complete academy training, field training, and performance of essential job functions of a Police Officer. (Reasonable accommodations may be made and will be considered on a case-by-case basis).

This is a safety sensitive position subject to drug and alcohol testing for pre-employment, reasonable suspicion, post-accident and random testing.

Work Schedule: requires flexible shift hours (to include holidays, nights and weekends); sometimes remaining on assignments for prolonged periods. Position is subject to emergency call.

Work Environment: A majority of time spent in this position involves outside work. Work is performed in varied environments utilizing department assigned clothing and equipment (personal protective equipment, body armor, and other specialty equipment). Work may be performed in challenging terrain, tight or confined spaces, remote settings, and unprotected heights. Work may be performed in extreme temperatures, extreme brightness or darkness, and in traffic/roadways. Work may involve exposure to chemicals, explosives, electrical hazards, fumes, gases, allergens, blood-borne pathogens, and animals. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.

Physical Demands: Police recruits/officers may be involved in numerous physically demanding activities in the police academy, during on-the-job training (field training), and throughout the work shift.  These may include: extensive walking, standing, and running; sitting for extended periods of time; working in stressful and sometimes life threatening conditions; pursuing and arresting aggressive/hostile suspects; physically searching suspects; performing rescues from a potentially hazardous environment; performing CPR and first aid procedures; controlling crowds; operating a motor vehicle under normal and emergency conditions; carrying and demonstrating proficiency with firearms; qualifying annually with firearm and other less-lethal weapons.

Requires identifying hazards, persons, and evidence:

Vision: Distance-corrected visual acuity of 20/20 or better binocularly with at least 20/40 in each eye. If glasses or hard contacts are worn, uncorrected distance vision must be 20/100 or better binocularly.  Near-corrected visual acuity in the better eye of no less than 20/40. In addition, candidates must be able to accurately and quickly name colors, and must be free from other visual impairments that would restrict the ability to perform law enforcement duties (e.g., identify house numbers, license plates, vehicle descriptions, suspect/victim descriptions, evidence, status of brake and traffic lights, body language, potential weapons, and weapons qualifications).

Hearing: Must be able to understand speech in noisy areas, understand whispered speech, and localize sounds (e.g. conversations, radio communications, alarms, requests for assistance).

Smell: Must be able to smell hazardous materials, and contraband (e.g., alcohol on the breath).

Touch: Must be able to touch (feel) concealed weapons, heat, moisture.

The City of Charlottesville is an Equal Opportunity Employer and supports workforce diversity at all levels of the organization. The City prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. The City is dedicated to this with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, access to facilities and programs, and general treatment during employment.

Requests for reasonable accommodation by individuals with disabilities may be requested by contacting Human Resources at (434) 970-3490 or hr@charlottesville.gov.

The City of Charlottesville conducts job related background checks, reference checks, and pre-employment drug tests, in accordance with federal, state, and local law, of applicants who reach the final stages of the employment selection process. The City’s policy has not changed because of the decriminalization of marijuana in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Marijuana remains an illegal drug under federal law, and it continues to be a violation of the US Department of Transportation regulations and the City’s policy prohibiting employees from testing positive for marijuana.