Police Officer (Recruit)

Police Officer (Recruit)

Salary

$53,177.00 - $81,606.00 Annually

Location

Police Headquarters, 111 Henley Place, Suffolk, VA

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

04522

Department

POLICE

Opening Date

06/01/2026

Closing Date

7/5/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

• SIGNING BONUS SIGNING BONUS SIGNING BONUS*

$5000 to each new hire after successful completion of field training.

24 hours of Recognition Leave

Under general supervision performs general and specialized law enforcement work for the City Police Department. Work involves protecting lives, property, and rights of the public; investigating criminal activity; serving criminal process papers; and assisting in community functions. Employee is also responsible for preparing files, reports and records and testifying in court. Employee must exercise tact and firmness in frequent public contact. Employee is expected to exercise independent judgment and initiative in performing assigned tasks. The employee is subject to the usual hazards of law enforcement work.

The Suffolk Police Department is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Essential Job Functions

Job functions may vary based on area of assignment within the Police Department, but may include any of the following:

• Patrols an assigned area of the City using a police vehicle to detect and deter criminal activities; monitors radio calls; inspects troublesome areas and checks security of business establishments; answers complaint calls and investigates crimes and disturbances; interviews witnesses; gathers evidence and transports to the lab; interrogates suspects and makes arrests; prepares investigation reports.
• Serves legal papers such as summons and warrants and civil process papers; explains briefly the meaning of the papers served and makes arrests when necessary.
• Must be able to provide credible testimony in a court of law.
• Prepares various reports and forms such as case files, offense reports, accident reports, tow sheets and cards, property vouchers, lab requests, etc.
• Receives and handles citizen complaints and inquiries.
• Transports prisoners and mental patients as required; serves mental papers.
• Investigates accidents; performs first aid; secures and clears accident scenes; directs traffic; investigates fatalities of accidents.
• Investigates misdemeanor and felony crimes; conducts building checks; reports traffic hazards.
• Processes minor crime scenes including collecting, packaging, and vouchering evidence, photographing, and sketching; prepares felony case reports.
• Monitors vehicle speeds with radar; conducts criminal and driving checks; issues summons for violations; operates breathalyzer machine.
• Conducts surveillance using relevant techniques.
• Assists State and Federal agencies in conducting various investigations; prepares affidavits and search warrants; testifies in court.
• Teaches programs based on topic areas of assigned units; prepares visual aids, lesson plans, handouts, etc.; participates in extracurricular activities; builds a rapport with program participants to accomplish program intent.
• Performs duties relating to the recruitment of new officers; coordinates and participates in training sessions; administers physical agility tests; coordinates appointments for oral review board, polygraph and employment physicals; conducts background checks.
• Answers confidential "crime line" public access phone for reporting crime and other information; provides reports to crime stoppers international; maintains records of calls received and numbers calls; meets with Board on approval of the "crime line".
• Acts as media contact; provides interviews and materials to the media; attends major media functions.
• Orders and issues uniforms and equipment for departmental personnel.
• Processing arrest information; notes warrant has been executed; updates communications division files.
• Retrieves warrants from magistrates office and the courts; assigns warrant number; logs warrants in warrant book; prepares card for communications division files; files warrants; purges felony and misdemeanor warrants as required by law; executes state and local criminal warrants.
• Coordinates policing efforts with civic leagues and community groups; attends civic league and PTA meetings; participates in community functions; acts as liaison between schools and Police Department.
• Monitors interior and exterior of school buildings; develops a rapport between police and students to deter crime in schools.
• Prepares brochures and other documents to promote the Police Department.
• Counsels teachers, students, parents, etc.; maintains security during school events.
• Teaches boating safety and conducts marine patrol.

Additional Duties:

• Escorts funeral processions, parade, public figures and other special assignments; coordinates traffic patterns.
• May investigate communicable diseases and exposure; coordinates initial and follow up medical care for exposed employees; maintains medical records, testing, and training.
• May assist disabled motorists with simple repair work such as changing flat tires, unlocking doors, or by contacting others for assistance; may provide directions, answer simple inquiries, etc.
• Reports unsafe conditions in city streets, sidewalks, public facilities, etc.
• May participate in special public information programs such as seat belt safety campaigns, child fingerprinting projects, etc.; speaks at public and community functions; prepares classes for community participation.
• Notifies next of kin of deaths and accidents.
• Trains and supervises new officers in the field; may act as general instructor for the Police Academy.
• Maintains police vehicle and issued equipment; maintains proficiency in skilled use of firearms.
• Performs other related work as required.

Required Qualifications

Graduation from high school, or GED

Must possess a valid drivers license.

Applicants who successfully pass the initial application process will be required to participate in the physical agility testing. The location, date and time will be released with your invitation to test.

Supplemental Information

Must pass the Basic Law Enforcement test as administered through an accredited police academy within 1 year of employment. Must complete 40 hours of in service training every two years.

High school graduation or GED.

Applicants must be 20 years of age at the time of application; able to possess a firearm in the Commonwealth of Virginia; and able to pass a comprehensive background screening including polygraph.

• A comprehensive medical examination by a licensed physician.

• A psychological examination conducted and interpreted by a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist.

• A background investigation conducted according to guidelines set forth by the City of Suffolk for its Police Department employees.

• A polygraph examination conducted by a qualified polygraph examiner.

• Successful completion of any compulsory minimum training standards for a Police Officer as required by regulations established in accordance with the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services Board.

• Valid Drivers License, with -3 or higher point value.

Disqualification:

Automatic Disqualifying Factors for Sworn & Non-Sworn Applicants

The following list includes all items for which an application for a sworn and non-sworn position will be automatically disqualified.

Criminal History

• Conviction of any felony
• Conviction of domestic violence
• Any conviction regarding the involvement in the sale or distribution of illegal drugs.
• Conviction of any Class 1 or 2 misdemeanor (or the Virginia State Law equivalent) within the last five years, excluding traffic violations (minor offenses may be looked at on a case-by-case basis)
• Embezzlement or misappropriation of funds from a former employer
• Founded child/elder abuse or neglect case
• Illegal possession of a schedule I or II drug or any derivative thereof within the last five years (excluding marijuana)
• Illegal use and/or possession of anabolic steroids within the last five years
• Illegal use of any drug classified as a hallucinogen within the last five years

Driving History

• Four or more negative points on a Virginia Operators license (or the equivalent for out-of-state residents). Points may be negated by attending defensive driving school offered by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) prior to the one on one interview with the background investigator.
• Conviction of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol within past five years
• Eluding police within past five years
• Leaving the scene of an accident within past two years
• Multiple convictions of DUI
• No valid drivers license and/or inability to obtain a Virginia license
• Refusal to take a blood or breath test related to suspected DUI/DUID within past five years
• Suspension or revocation of license or conviction of reckless driving within the last twelve months

Other Disqualifications

• Two or more bankruptcies
• Any "Dishonorable Discharge" or discharge "other than Honorable", from the military resulting from disciplinary action (Case by case as determined by disposition code).
• Cheating on any examination or testing associated with this position
• Crimes of moral turpitude (lying, cheating, stealing)
• Ineligibility to possess a firearm in Virginia
• Intentional omission on the application/background process for this position. Intentional lying on the application/background process for this position
• Having any visible tattoos, brands, piercings, intentional scarifications (intentional scarifications are those that did not occur accidentally/naturally) or other body modifications anywhere on the face, head, front half of the neck in front of the ears (50% of the neck behind the ears)
• Offensive tattoos are prohibited
• (Full tattoo sleeves ARE allowed)
• Full sleeve tattoos, including the hands, are allowed, but tattoos or body art displaying the following are prohibited: racism, sexism, or sexually suggestive or explicit, obscenity or profane, gang or drug related, or undermining City or Department values.

City of Suffolk is a proud participant of the Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Program and we welcome Veterans to apply.

Part-time Employees - Sick Leave (See below)

Full Time Employees are eligible for the following benefits;

Retirement

Vested after 5 years in the defined benefit plan. Vested in phases based on years in the Defined Contribution part of the Plan. Please contact the Virginia Retirement System or the Human Resources Department for more details.

Annual Leave Accruals

Sworn Police - 40 Hours/ Fire - 96 Hours (1-59 months), 120 Hours (60-119 months), 144 Hours (120- 179 months), 168 Hours (180-239 months), 192 Hours (240+ months) of employment.

Sworn Fire Suppression: 144 Hours (1-59 months), 180 Hours (60-119 months), 216 Hours (120-179 months), 276 Hours (180-239 months), 288 Hours (240+ months) of employment.

Sick Leave

Full Time employees earn 12 days per year, (accumulating 8 hours per month). Part Time employees earn 4 hours per month Sick leave accrues at the end of the month and may be accrued with no ceiling

Personal Leave

All regular full time employees are granted 24 hours of personal leave each calendar year. Personal leave must be preapproved and is not cumulative.

Health Insurance

Coverage available for you and your eligible dependents using pre-tax payroll deductions if elected.

Supplemental Insurances

Employees may purchase the following supplemental insurance policies: short term and long term disability, cancer, accident, supplemental hospitalization, and group universal life insurance. Only employees hired prior to 1/1/14 may purchase short-term disability and long term disability plans.

Employer Sponsored Short Term and Long Term Disability

Provides disability coverage for employees work and non-work related disabilities. Work related disabilities are covered starting on day one (1). Non work related disabilities are covered starting on day eight (8), after you have been employed for one year.

Flexible Spending Accounts

Employees may participate in the Health Reimbursement, Dependent Care Reimbursement and Premium Reimbursement Accounts. All deductions are made on a pre-tax basis and will reduce your taxable income.

Life Insurance

The city pays the entire premium for life insurance coverage in the amount of 2 times annual salary for natural death and 4 times annual salary for accidental death.

Optional Life Insurance

Employees have the option of electing additional life insurance coverage in the amount of 1, 2, 3 or 4 times their annual salary. Employees may only purchase optional life insurance on spouses and children if they are enrolled in optional life insurance for themselves.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

12 weeks of job protected leave for leaves approved in accordance with the Family Medical Leave Act. Employees receive continuation of health insurance, job protection and consideration for a comparable job when available, or an equivalent job, upon return to work.

Funeral Leave

24 hours of paid leave of absence in case of death in immediate family.

Holidays

The City of Suffolk follows the Virginia State holiday calendar as set by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Jury Duty

Time off with pay with difference between jury pay and regular pay or use annual leave and keep check.

457 Deferred Compensation, ROTH IRA, Traditional IRA

Offered through ICMA Retirement Corporation as a way to shelter a portion of your salary from income taxes and save for retirement.

Employee Assistance Program

Offers employees and immediate family members (3) free, confidential counseling sessions related to a broad range of issues such as marital or family conflict, job or personal stress, alcohol or drug abuse, financial or legal worries, etc.

Workers Compensation

Should an employee have an on the job injury, he/she could be eligible for Workmens Compensation Benefits, except in cases of willful neglect.

Pay Days

Employees will be paid on the 15th and last working day of each month.

Credit Union

A Suffolk Credit Union is available to employees.

Legal Services

Employees may prepay for access to legal assistance.

Notary Public Services

Services available in the Human Resources Department.

01

Did you graduate from high school, or earn a GED?

• Yes
• No

02

Are you at least 20 years of age today?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you have a valid drivers license and does your driving history NOT include any of the following: • Four or more negative points on a Virginia Operators license (or the equivalent for out of state residents). Points may be negated by attending defensive driving school offered by the DMV prior to one on one interview with the background investigator. • Conviction of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol (within past five years). • Multiple convictions of DUI. • Refusal to take a blood or breath test (within past five years). • Eluding police (within past five years). • Leaving the scene of an accident (within past two years). • Suspension or revocation of license or conviction of reckless driving within the last twelve months.

• Yes
• No

04

Are you eligible to possess a firearm in the state of Virginia?

• Yes
• No

05

Illegal drug involvement in any of the following: • the sale of or distribution of illegal drugs. • possession of a schedule I or II drug or any derivative thereof within the last five years (excluding marijuana). • use and/or possession of anabolic steroids within the last five years. • use of any drug classified as a hallucinogen within the last five years.

• Yes
• No

06

Do you have two or more bankruptcies on your record?

• Yes
• No

07

Was your military service characterized as:

• Honorable Discharge
• Dishonorable Discharge
• Other Discharge
• No Military Service
• Active or Recerve

08

Have you ever been convicted of any of the following: • felony; • domestic violence; • founded child abuse or neglect; • embezzlement or misappropriation of funds; or • any crimes of moral turpitude (lying, cheating, stealing)

• Yes
• No

09

Did you attend a career /job fair where the Suffolk Police Department was present?

• Yes
• No

10

Were you referred to this position by any member of the Suffolk Police Department? If so, by whom?

Required Question

Employer City of Suffolk

Address 442 W. Washington Street, Suite 1044

Suffolk, Virginia, 23434

Phone 7575144110

Website http://www.suffolkva.us