Skip to content Skip to footer

Position overview

 

The Police Officer Trainee position is a paid, entry-level role for individuals committed to protecting and serving their community. Trainees attend our Basic Law Enforcement Academy to gain the knowledge, skills, and certifications to become a Basic Law Enforcement Officer in Virginia.

 

Through rigorous coursework, physical training, and hands-on practice, trainees prepare for careers in areas like criminal law, traffic enforcement, and community policing. Upon completing the academy, trainees are sworn in as certified officers and begin a rewarding career as Chesapeake Police Officers.

 

becoming a Police Officer - Trainee

This position pays a starting annual salary of $51,150 and bumps up to $55,100 upon completion of the Academy 

  1. Conducts routine patrols in residential and business areas; maintains contact with businesses and residents to establish good relations.
  2. Responds to calls for police service and responds to crimes, domestic disputes, disturbances, disputes among neighbors, juveniles, or other incidents; apprehends lawbreakers as necessary; conducts follow-up investigations of crimes and other incidents, conducts surveillance of areas for suspected or potential criminal activity.
  3. Provides information and/or assistance to the public, informing citizens of services in the community, or providing referrals to other city, county, or state agencies.
  4. Maintains the peace and safety of the community by quelling public disturbances and maintaining order at group functions.
  5. Provides for the safe and convenient flow of traffic and pedestrians within the community, investigates traffic accidents, enforces traffic violations, promotes vehicular and pedestrian safety, reports unsafe road conditions, and conducts DUI or other investigations.
  6. Issues civil or legal documents such as traffic citations; prepares written reports, forms, and other documents as required; may testify in civil and criminal court proceedings or give depositions.
  7. Attends training meetings, in-service training, and technical or professional classes, seminars, or conferences to improve technical or professional skills.
  8. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education:

  • Requires high school diploma or GED
  • Requires a valid driver’s license and driving record in compliance with the City Driving Standards. Special skills or equipment certification will be required

Other Requirements:

  • Must be a United States Citizen
  • Must be at least 19 and a half years of age at the time of application 
  • This job classification provides service to the community on a 24-hour basis. In order to accommodate the 24-hour service, this job classification is required to work rotating schedules, which include working weekends and holidays and may involve work over regularly scheduled hours when required by operational necessity

 

WE'RE HIRING

Take care of your family by joining the Chesapeake Police Department!

Join a strong team of talented professionals dedicated to promoting safety within the city. In partnership with the community and other city agencies, we deliver fair, impartial, and professional police services.

Frequently asked Questions

  • Must be a United States Citizen
  • Must be at least 21 years of age by academy graduation
  • At least 20 years of age 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.
  • 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, 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 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.
  • 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 contact our Recruiter: [email protected] 
  • The process may take four to twelve months. This time varies greatly, based on when you specifically apply in relation to the start of the next academy that you may be eligible to attend.
  • The hiring process is the same for all applicants however, certified law enforcement officers wishing to be hired as a Certified Police Officer only complete our Physical Ability Course during the Physical Ability Testing and are required to submit additional training, evaluation, and certification documentation. You may be hired quicker than applicants who may have to wait for the next full academy session.
  • VIRGINIA Certified Law Enforcement Officers, selected to be hired as Certified Police Officers, once hired, typically spend approximately two (2) weeks at our academy followed by a modified field training period. Certified In-state and Out-of-state Police Officer applicants are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Contact our Recruiter for further details. Email: [email protected]

TEXT A RECRUITER

ABOUT US

The Chesapeake Police Department continues to uphold its mission. In partnership with the community and other city agencies, to promote safety within the city through the delivery of fair, impartial, and professional police services in the City of Chesapeake Virginia.

Connect with Us

text a recruiter

Our site uses cookies. Learn more about our use of cookies: joincpdnow.com/cookie-policy/