Police Department - CPD Employment Opportunities
    - Police Officer

Join the Chesapeake Police Department!

Our mission: “In partnership with the community, promote a safe city through prevention of crime and enforcement of laws.”

Do you have what it takes?

What does it take to join the Chesapeake Police Department? A deep sense of integrity and determination, stamina and intelligence, dedication to protecting the public, and the desire to make a difference in the lives of many are just the beginning.

We are looking for men and women who thrive on challenges and pride themselves in helping others, and are willing to work hard to learn the necessary skills for this challenging but critical role.  Becoming a police officer can be a tough, demanding and unpredictable job, but it is also one of the most rewarding positions you will ever have. Every day that you wear your uniform and badge, you will be making the City of Chesapeake a safer and better place to live for you, your family, your friends and your neighbors. Nothing is more valuable than that. 

Salaries & Benefits

Now that we’ve told you about the challenge ahead, you might be wondering: “Is it worth it? What’s in it for me?” Our answer: a great deal. Here’s what we have to offer you:

Starting Salaries

$37,494 (while attending the Chesapeake Police Academy)
$39,182 (upon completion of the Chesapeake Police Academy)
$40,358 (with associate's degree)
$41,568 (with bachelor's or master's degree)

Benefits

Benefits are equal to an additional amount of approximately 44% of the employee’s salary.

• Paid Retirement
• Annual Leave & Sick Leave
• Military Leave
• Worker’s Compensation
• Life Insurance
• Uniforms & Clothing Allowance
• Educational Incentive Pay
• Merit Increase
• FMLA Benefits
• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Funeral Leave
• Flexible Spending Account
• Sick Leave Bank
• Uniforms and Equipment Provided
• Virginia Retirement System

Qualifications

Here are some of the basic eligibility requirements for Police Officer candidates:

• Must be a United States citizen.

• Must be 21 years of age upon graduation from the academy.

• Must have a high school diploma or GED certificate.

• Must possess a valid driver's License.

• Must have no felony convictions or any convictions involving acts of domestic violence, dishonesty, deceit, or immorality.

Disqualifying Factors:

The background investigation shall contain an inquiry into the following factors, among others. The discovery of any one of these factors at any time during the application process shall automatically disqualify a candidate from continuing in the application process:

• Suspensions or revocations within the past 24 months.

• Conviction of DUI (alcohol or drugs) within the past 36 months.

• Conviction of reckless driving within the past 36 months.

• Conviction of speeding 20 miles per hour or more within the past 12 months.

• Three or more convictions involving any moving violation within the last 12 months.

• Conviction of possession, manufacturing, and/or distribution of illegal drugs.

• Use of Cocaine, LSD, PCP, or any type of hallucinogenic drug within the last five (5) years and/or use of Marijuana within the last three (3) years, unless the candidate has successfully completed a supervised drug rehabilitation program and is no longer engaging in the illegal use of drugs, or has otherwise been rehabilitated successfully and is no longer engaging in the illegal use of drugs, or is participating in a supervised rehabilitation program and is no longer engaged in such use.  (Proof of rehabilitation must be furnished to the Department of Human Resources).

• Other Than Honorable (OTH); General; Dishonorable discharges from any military service.  Uncharacterized discharges will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.  Candidates discharged for "conduct" reasons will not be considered.

• Untruthfulness or the withholding of pertinent information on any application, interview or paperwork associated with the application process.

• Cheating on any examination or testing associated with the position.

Physical and Dexterity Requirements:

Requires work that involves walking, running, standing, stooping, jumping, or lifting much of the time, involves exerting between 20 and 50 pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis, and exceptional skill, adeptness, and speed in the use of fingers, hands, or limbs in tasks involving suspect restraint, firearms, and other law enforcement duties.

Environmental Hazards:

The job may risk exposure to extreme heat and/or cold, bright/dim light, dusts and pollen, wet or humid conditions, extreme noise levels, animals/wildlife, fumes and/or noxious odors, traffic, moving machinery, heights, disease/pathogens, toxic/caustic chemicals and violence.

Sensory Requirements:

The job requires normal visual acuity and field of vision, hearing, speaking, color perception, sense of taste, sense of smell, depth perception, and texture perception.

Testing Information

Written Exam

The written exam is divided into 3 sections: Math, Reading Comprehension and Grammar. Each section is timed and anything not answered within the time limit will be counted as an incorrect answer. The examination may be scored immediately afterwards. You may want to practice in the areas you feel are necessary and perhaps set up your own self timed practice test. There are also study guides for taking Police Officer Exams available in most bookstores. Contact Human Resources for the current location of standard study guides.

Samples of questions from the math portion of the entrance exam.

	PDF Format	Word Format
Sample Math Questions	127 KB	138 KB
Sample Math Answers	10 KB	20 KB

Physical Ability Test

Normally the Physical Ability Test (PAT) will be conducted immediately following the Entrance Exam. If there is inclement weather or testing facilities are limited, the Police department will contact you to set up the physical agility test appointment. This test is an un-timed obstacle course consisting of the following tasks:
While in a sitting position you will be given a suspect's description.  At the word "go" you will:

• Run 25 yards
• Jump over a 3 ft. simulated ditch
• Run 25 yards
• Climb over a 5 ft. high obstacle (wall)
• Run 10 yards
• Crawl under an obstacle 24 inches high and 10 feet long
• Run 25 yards
• Climb up and down a standard step for 12 repetitions
• Run 15 yards
• Crawl through a window
• Run 10 yards
• Identify the suspect (figure) from previous description
• Run 15 yards
• Drag a 150 lb. dummy 5 yards
• Run 20 yards
• Place the barrel of an unloaded firearm through a 6-inch diameter hole and fire the weapon one time strong handed and one-time weak handed.

After your successful completion of both the written exam and agility test, you will be given an information packet containing important police department information as well as a Chesapeake Police Personal History Statement. This will be a much more in depth application, which will need to be completed and turned in by the deadline given in your packet.

Career paths

One of the notable aspects of the Chesapeake Police Department is the diversity of our career paths. From crime scene investigation to community policing, from K-9 to marine law enforcement, from narcotics to forensics, the Chesapeake Police Department has a career path that is sure to fit your skills and interests. Here are some of the career paths we offer:

• Career Development
• Field Training Officer
• Uniform Patrol
• Traffic Enforcement
• Criminal Investigation
• Crime Prevention
• K-9  Unit
• Vice and Narcotics
• Youth Services Unit
• Identification
• Warrant Unit
• Property and Evidence
• Intelligence Unit
• Training Unit
• Forensics Unit

Special Program Incentives (as available)

• Community Resident Vehicle Program
• Tuition Assistance
• Veterans Administration Benefits