Certified Police Officers

Those who are selected to be hired as Certified Police Officers may receive competitive pay comparable to a currently sworn Chesapeake Police Officer with similar years of experience and education.

Minimum Starting Salaries

Certified Police Officers starting salaries increase based on years of experience.

• $51,500* for possessing a High School Diploma or GED
• $600*  yearly stipend for possessing an Associate's Degree OR
• $1,000* yearly stipend for possessing a Bachelor's Degree

*Note: These are subject to change.

Benefits

• Take-Home Car Program
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Uniforms and Equipment Provided
• Free Access to Private CPD Fitness Centers
• Paid Specialized Training Opportunities
• Uniforms and Clothing Allowance
• Military Leave
• Merit Increases
• Automatic City Employee Benefits, including:
  • Virginia Retirement System Plan,
  • Life Insurance,
  • Disability Insurance,
  • Long Term Care Insurance,
  • Paid Time Off
• Optional City Employee Benefits, including:
  • Deferred Compensation,
  • Health Insurance,
  • Dental Insurance,
  • Vision Insurance,
  • Flexible Spending Accounts,
  • Additional Optional Long Term Care Insurance,
  • Legal Service Plan,
  • Additional Optional Life Insurance

Apply Now

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.

• Auto Theft Unit
• Automated Fingerprint Identification System
• Court Liaison
• Crash Reconstruction Unit
• Crime Prevention Unit
• Crimes Against Persons Unit
• Crimes Against Property Unit
• Criminal Investigations Section
• Crisis Negotiations Team
• Economic Crime Unit
• Ethics and Conduct Unit
• Honor Guard Unit
• Intelligence and Gang Section
• K-9 Patrol Unit
• Marine Patrol Unit
• Motor Carrier Unit
• Motorcycle Unit
• Police Explorer Post
• Polygraph Unit
• Property and Evidence Unit
• Uniform Patrol
• School Resource Officer
• Special Victims Unit
• Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT)
• Standards and Research Unit
• Traffic Enforcement Unit
• Training Academy
• Underwater Search and Recovery Team
• Uniform, Equipment and Fleet Unit
• Vice and Narcotics Section
• Warrant Unit
• Career Development Program
  • Senior Police Officer
  • Master Police Officer
  • Field Training Officer
• And More!

Generally, after a minimum of two to three years as a Chesapeake Police Officer, you may be eligible to apply to various specialty units when vacancies are available.

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

• Must be a United States citizen.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Must have a high school diploma or GED certificate.
• Must possess a valid driver's license.
• Must submit valid certifications, training records, and other requested documents.
• Must be currently certified as a law enforcement officer in the Commonwealth of Virginia or be eligible for re-certification in the Commonwealth of Virginia as a law enforcement officer under Virginia DCJS guidelines.
• Applicants should have full-service patrol experience.

An extensive background investigation will be conducted. The discovery of any one of the factors below, at any time during the application process, shall automatically disqualify a candidate from continuing in the application process.

Read carefully and do not apply to this position if you meet any of these. Disqualifying factors include, but are not limited to, the following, from the date of application:

• More than two convictions involving any moving violation within the last 12 months.
• Convictions that indicate that the valid driver's license is/was denied, suspended, or revoked during the past two years for any reason other than failure to pay fines or other non-drug or alcohol-related administrative reason(s).
• Drug or alcohol-related driving convictions within the past three years.
• More than one conviction of reckless driving or driving 20 or more miles over the speed limit within the past three years.
• Convictions that are so egregious that they could be deemed negligent in the City's duties to the public may be addressed separately through the City's Disciplinary Policy or may result in the disqualification of an applicant, intern, or volunteer. The date of conviction and anticipated date of hire will be used when determining eligibility under this policy.
• Convicted of, plead guilty to, or no contest to any felony.
• Convicted of, plead guilty to, or no contest to a misdemeanor involving acts of moral turpitude (lying, cheating, stealing).
• Convicted of, plead guilty to, or no contest to a misdemeanor sex offense.
• Convicted of, plead guilty to, or no contest to domestic assault.
• Conviction of possession, manufacture, and/or distribution of illegal drugs, excluding possession of marijuana or any cannabis derivative.
• Use of Cocaine, LSD, PCP, or any type of hallucinogenic drug in the last five years, unless the candidate (i) has successfully completed a supervised drug rehabilitation program, or (ii) is participating in a supervised drug rehabilitation program and is no longer engaging in the illegal use of drugs. Proof of successful completion of or active participation in a supervised drug rehabilitation program must be furnished to the Police Department.
• Dishonorable discharge, Bad conduct / Misconduct discharge, and Other than Honorable discharges from military service. General and Uncharacterized discharges from military service will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
• Untruthfulness or the withholding of pertinent information during any phase of the application process (e.g. application, interview, paperwork).
• Cheating on any examination or testing associated with the process.

Step 1

Apply online

• Go to the City of Chesapeake's Department of Human Resources website and search for and complete the online application for "Police Officer (VA Experienced Officer)"

Step 2:

Submit Personal History Statement (PHS): Download, complete, and submit within 14 calendar days!

Your PHS must be submitted after applying online within 14 calendar days of submitting your online application.

• Download the 2023 Personal History Statement (PDF)
  

It is strongly encouraged that you begin filling out this form as soon as possible in preparation as it is lengthy and requires a significant amount of detailed information. Do not leave any information out. Omissions and untruthful responses will result in your disqualification.

You must have pages 18 and 22 of the PHS packet signed and notarized. A notary must witness you sign the form. Do not sign it yourself until you are with the notary (This must be done prior to the delivery of your PHS. This notary service will NOT be available at the Police Department.)

Local Notary Resource Links:

1. Local Notary Service Locations (see note)
2. Chesapeake Public Library Notary Service - Free
3. Chesapeake Police HQ Central Records - Free

Note: This is just a list of local notary resources via google.com search -you are not limited to utilizing the ones listed. Your PHS can be notarized out of state.

Select one of two ways to submit your Personal History Statement:

Option 1:

• Certified mail: Your PHS should be completed, notarized, and mailed, via certified mail, within 14 calendar days of submitting your online application.
• Mailing Address:
  Attention: Background Investigations Unit
  Chesapeake Police Department
  304 Albemarle Drive
  Chesapeake, Va 23322

Option 2:

• Hand deliver: Your PHS should be completed, notarized, and hand delivered within 14 calendar days of submitting your online application.
  • Hand deliver your PHS directly to the Chesapeake Public Safety Building (Chesapeake Police Headquarters) located at 304 Albemarle Drive; Chesapeake, VA 23322. This option is available 24/7/365 including holidays via a secure drop box in the lobby.

Required Documents:
Include color copies of the following documents with your PHS or submit the color copies on the date of your PAT:

1. VA DCJS Basic Law Enforcement Certification
2. Law Enforcement Training Records
3. Valid Driver's License
4. Vehicle Registration Card
5. Proof of Automobile Insurance
6. Social Security Card
7. Birth Certificate
8. High School Diploma/Transcripts or G.E.D. Certificate
9. Full Credit Reports from all 3 reporting agencies
10. College Degree or Transcripts (if applicable)
11. Military DD-214 (if applicable)
12. Naturalization Form (if applicable)

Step 3

The background investigations unit reviews personal history statements to confirm eligibility.

• If your PHS passes the initial review, you will be scheduled to complete the physical ability test (Course Only) your certifications will be and training records etc. will be needed.

Step 4

Complete physical ability test.

• The test will consist of a timed 150-yard course that will measure stamina and cardiovascular fitness in the completion of various job related physical skills. The test simulates chasing a single suspect on foot, and encountering circumstances that could arise during the foot pursuit.

View the Physical Ability Course Instructions (PDF).

Our Basic Law Enforcement Academy Sessions tentatively start: On the first Monday in March and the first Monday in October of each year.*

Phase 1

1. Submit online application on the Chesapeake Human Resources Site
2. Submit Personal History Statement (PHS) to Background Investigations Unit via certified mail or hand delivery to the Chesapeake Public Safety Building (Chesapeake Police Headquarters)
3. PHS is reviewed by Background Investigations Unit to confirm eligibility. If you are not eligible for further consideration, you will be notified by phone and/or email.
4. Physical Ability Test (PAT) -All eligible applicants will receive an invitation, via email, to successfully complete the PAT at the Chesapeake Law Enforcement Training Center (CLETA)
5. Background Investigation Process-A thorough background investigation will be conducted on each applicant selected to continue in the application process; this will include a personal interview with a Background Investigator
   • Online Personal History Questionnaire completed by each applicant
   • Personality Profile Written Exam (LESI) -taken at Police Department.

Phase 2

1. Formal Panel Interview and Personal Interview with Police Command Staff
   • Applicant photographed and fingerprinted at CPD Headquarters on the same day
2. Chief's Selection - the Chief of Police will select which eligible applicants will receive further consideration for hire. -Applicants are not present.

Phase 3

1. Conditional Offer Of Employment presented to those selected applicants. If you are not selected for further consideration, you will receive a notification by email.
2. Polygraph Exam
3. Drug / Alcohol Screening
4. Psychological/Mental Health Evaluation
   • MMPI -2RF Written Test
   • Video Interview with Psychologist at Police Department.
5. Fit for Duty Exam/Physical Evaluation
6. Payroll Meeting
7. Hire Date: New Employee Orientation

Note

The hiring process may take from 2 - 6 months depending on factors such as when you apply, your eligibility, the number of applicants, and the date the next group of lateral applicants are ready for hire.