• Must be a United States Citizen
• Must be at least 19.5 years old to apply
• Must have a high school diploma or G.E.D. certificate
• Must possess a valid driver’s license in accordance with city driving standards.

• There is no specific age cut-off to apply.

• There is no specific policy on tattoos. However, you will be required to disclose if you have any gang-related tattoos or body markings. We have many officers who have visible tattoos and are not required to cover them (i.e. hands, arms, neck, etc.).

• Yes. General and Uncharacterized discharges from military service will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

• Chesapeake Police Headquarters 
  304 Albemarle Drive, Chesapeake, VA 23322 
• Chesapeake Law Enforcement Training Academy 
  1080 Sentry Drive, Chesapeake, VA 23323

• The academy is approximately 6 months long.

• No, Police Officer Trainees attend the academy each day. There are no barracks at our academy. The academy is typically Monday through Friday from about 7:45 AM to 4:15 PM. However, times may vary with little to no notice, depending on training needs.

• Disqualifiers are based on state law, department and city policies, and special certification restrictions. 
• More than two convictions involving any moving violation within the last 12 months. 
• Convictions that indicate 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 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 (i.e. lying, cheating, and 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. (Subject to ADA guidelines)
• 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 etc.). 
• Cheating on any examination or testing associated with the process.

• Your salary would start on the date of hire, typically the first day of the academy or a few weeks sooner if you are eligible to be hired before the academy starts. Benefits may start within 30 days or so from your date of hire.

• No, many officers choose to reside in the City of Chesapeake. However, some officers live in surrounding cities or just inside the state of North Carolina.

• The application process may take up to 6 months depending on when you apply and when the next academy would start. You may apply for an academy that you would be available for hire (i.e. on terminal leave or later). You may be eligible for our new SkillBridge Program! The Skillbridge program would allow you to start our academy while still on active duty.

• After successfully completing the academy, you will be sworn in at your graduation ceremony. Within three days of your graduation, you will start your field training, which will last for at least 14 weeks and include no less than 60 actual training days with your assigned Field Training Officer. Once you have completed your field training, you will be primarily assigned to one of our six precincts as a fully certified uniform patrol officer.

• Yes, ride-alongs are encouraged! You may request to do a ride-along in person at the Public Safety Building (Police Headquarters) located at 304 Albemarle Drive; Chesapeake, VA 23322
• Or download the ride-along request packet online and submit it via email: https://flow.page/joincpd

• Any untruthfulness or the withholding of pertinent information on any application, interview or paperwork associated with the application process (omission of requested information in your Personal History Statement) may disqualify you from further consideration. A polygraph test will be administered as a condition of employment.

• You may apply if you have used Marijuana. 
• Use of Cocaine, LSD, PCP, or any type of hallucinogenic drug in the last five years is an automatic disqualification (Subject to ADA guidelines).

• We typically start three Basic Law Enforcement Academy sessions each year.

• While we attempt to limit the number of visits as much as possible the number of needed visits varies. A minimum of six (6) visits may be needed.

•  Physical Fitness: Improve your endurance and strength with regular cardio, bodyweight exercises, and interval training. Physical Training “PT” is done daily in the academy. In addition, fitness testing is conducted multiple times throughout the academy which consists of; v-sit and reach; 300-meter sprint, sit-ups, push-ups, and 1.5-mile run.
• Mental & Academic Prep: Strengthen your discipline and time management. Review Virginia criminal and traffic codes, report writing, and law enforcement basics.
• Professionalism: Be punctual, detail-oriented, and maintain a positive, respectful attitude.
• Mindset: Stay focused, adaptable, and committed to learning and serving with integrity.

• Join the Chesapeake Police Explorers (Ages 14 – 21) 
• Attend the Chesapeake Citizens Police Academy (Residents, Age 18+) 
• Participate in our Ride-Along program (Residents, Applicants & College Students Age 18+) 
• Follow us on Facebook: @ChesapeakeVAPolice 
• Follow us on Instagram: @ChesapeakePolice
• Follow us on LinkedIn: @Chesapeake Police Department 
• Contact our Recruiter:
  • • Call/Text: (757) 647-8458 
    • Email: [email protected]

• • PAT OBSTACLE COURSE ONLY: A timed (1:36 minutes or less) 150-yard course to measure stamina and cardiovascular fitness in completing various job-related physical skills. If applicants cannot climb the 5ft high wall in one try, they can bypass it and proceed with the rest of the course.  Watch Video!
  • Sit on a bench and listen to the suspect’s description.
  • Run 25 yards and jump over a 3-foot simulated ditch.
  • Run 25 yards and climb over a 5-foot-high wall.
  • Run 10 yards and crawl under an obstacle (24 inches high and 10 feet long).
  • Run 25 yards and climb up & down a standard step for 12 repetitions.
  • Run 15 yards and crawl through a window opening (36″ W x 30″ H).
  • Run 10 yards and identify the suspect (picture).
  • Run 15 yards and drag a 150 lb. dummy 15 feet.
  • Run 20 yards and complete the trigger pull exercise.
  • If a Police Officer Trainee or Patrol Aide applicant cannot climb the 5ft high wall in one try, they can bypass it and proceed with the rest of the course and still pass.