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TRAINING ACADEMY

Chesapeake Law Enforcement Training Academy

Since its inception in 1971, the Chesapeake Law Enforcement Training Academy has established itself as one of Virginia’s premier training facilities for police personnel. Drawing participants from across the state and neighboring regions, the academy has conducted over 70 sessions of its Basic Law Enforcement Academies, earning a reputation for excellence in professional training. With a focus on rigorous instruction and a commitment to developing top-tier law enforcement professionals, the Chesapeake Police Academy continues to set the standard for training excellence.

ACADEMY OVERVIEW

      • Bi-annual Academies lasting 6 months
      • Monday-Friday full-time, typically from about 7:45 AM to 4:15 PM
      • Non-live in Academy, recruits can go home each day
      • The CPD Academy is certified by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), ensuring that training meets state law enforcement standards
      • Emphasizes the importance of modern policing techniques such as de-escalation, crisis intervention, and use of force policies in line with current standards and community expectations.
      • In addition to basic training, the academy offers specialized and advanced courses for current officers, such as leadership development, crisis intervention, and tactical operations

ACADEMY FEATURES

The academy’s comprehensive training programs cover a wide array of topics, including but not limited to:

 

    • Basic Investigations
    • Case Law
    • Communications
    • Crime Scene Preservation
    • Defensive Tactics
    • Emergency Vehicle Operations
    • Evidence Collection
    • Firearms and Marksmanship
    • First Aid / Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
    • Introduction to the Criminal Justice System
    • Officer Survival
    • Patrol Techniques

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.
APPLY NOW

our hiring process

01.
Phase 1: Application & Physical Ability Test
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02.
Phase 2: Backgrounds & Formal Interview
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03.
Phase 3: Chief’s Selection & Medical Evaluation
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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]
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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.

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