Salary: $54,000.00 AnnuallyLocation : Portsmouth, VAJob Type: Full-Time RegularJob Number: FY2024-00464Department: Police DepartmentOpening Date: 08/31/2023Closing Date: ContinuousGeneral Statement of the Job & Essential FunctionsUnder close supervision, this position serves as the entry level trainee classification where employees are required to attend and successfully complete a Police Academyto learn the proper procedures and policies in law enforcement and crime prevention. Reports to a Police Training Sergeant.ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONSLearns techniques to evaluate situations and determines the most appropriate course of action including pursuing or apprehending suspects; interviewing victims, witnesses, suspects, and other contact persons; crime scene and evidence preservation. Studies various criminal activities requiring law enforcement intervention such as homicides, sexual assaults, robberies, property crimes, domestic violence, narcotics related activities, crimes by and against juveniles, and other crimes. Studies guidelines to present court testimony and maintain associated case files; becomes familiar with completing forms, preparing reports, and correspondence.Performs other duties as required.Knowledge, Skills & AbilitiesInterpersonal Relationships - Develops and maintains cooperative and professional relationships with employees, managers, and representatives from other departments and organizations. Shares knowledge with staff for mutual and departmental benefit. Critical Thinking - Uses logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.Communication - Ability to communicate ideas effectively, including the preparation of reports and logs. Ability to listen and understand directions, information and ideas presented verbally and in writing. Judgment & Decision Making - Ability to anticipate, identify and evaluate potentially dangerous, unusual or deviating situations and to exercise appropriate judgment to establish priorities and take prompt action for problem resolution. Evaluates the best method of research and then exercising appropriate judgment in establishing priorities and resolving complex matters. Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one. Education, Experience & Special Requirements Graduation from high school or GED or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. Shall have reached his/her 21st birthday by the time of their Department of Criminal Justice Services Certification.Must pass an initial written test and physical agility.Requires satisfactory results from a medical, psychological evaluation and pre-employment substance abuse testing and is subject to random alcohol and controlled substance testing.A valid Virginia's driver's license prior to employment with an acceptable driving record to include a zero or positive point balance and are required to refrain from the use of tobacco.Must obtain and maintain for continued employment U.S. Citizenship prior to appointment as a Police Officer; all State requirements for Police Officers as specified in Virginia Code; all federal and state requirements to carry a firearm; and may require certifications such as Breathalyzer certification.Must be able to wear a standard issued duty belt with all applicable instrumentation.Must successfully complete a certified Basic Law Enforcement Academy and associated field training within one year of employment.Additional training may be necessary to meet the requirements of some division assignments.Requires a comprehensive background investigation to include a local, state and federal criminal history check; sex offender registry and credit check.CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION DISQUALIFICATION OF APPLICANTS FOR POLICE OFFICER RULE 12 (A)The Commission reserves the right to refuse to further examine an applicant, or after examination, to further certify as eligible an applicant who:(a) Does not meet the established preliminary requirements as set forth in these rules for the position for which application is made.(b) Fails to pass the required test in strength and agility.(c) Has been involved in the following activities:i. Possession or use of marijuana or any of its derivatives within the previous six (6) months.ii. The conviction of any substantiated illegal act including the possession, manufacturing, sale or distribution of any narcotic, controlled substance, illegal, or dangerous drug (excluding misdemeanor marijuana).iii. Illegal possession or consumption of Adderall more than 3 times and/or within the last 3 years, or illegal possession of any Schedule I or Schedule II drug, or derivative thereof, within the last ten (10) years (excluding misdemeanor marijuana).iv. Illegal use and or possession of anabolic steroids within the last five (5) years.(d) Is found to have used in excess, as determined by the Police Chief, or to be addicted to illegal drugs or narcotics unless the applicant:i. 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 such use; orii. Is participating in a supervised rehabilitation program and is no longer engaging in such use.(e) Who has been convicted of the following:i. A felony as defined in the Code of Virginia, or a crime of comparable nature in any other jurisdiction.ii. Any Class 1 or Class 2 misdemeanor (excluding traffic offenses) within the last five (5) years (minor offenses may be looked at on a case by case basis).iii. Any crime involving moral turpitude, i.e., lying, cheating, or stealing.iv. Domestic violence, as defined under the Federal Gun Control Act, or where there is an obvious pattern of abuse as determined by the Police Chief.(f) Who has intentionally made a false statement of any material fact or practiced or attempted to practice any deception or fraud in his/her application, examination, or in securing his/her eligibility for appointment.(g) Driving Under the Influence (DUI) conviction within the past thirty six (36) months or refusal to take blood/breath test within the last twelve (12) months.(h) Any two (2) convictions of DUI of alcohol or drugs within the prior ten (10) year period.(i) Driver's license is suspended at time of the background check.(j) Driver's license has been revoked from any State within the past twenty four (24) months.(k) DMV record shows a large amount of points in the minus column (-10 points or worse) or three (3) or more moving violations within the last twelve (12) months.(l) A dishonorable military discharge, or a less than honorable military discharge that is the result of misconduct. Physical Demands Physical Requirements- Must be physically able to operate a variety of machinery and equipment including a motor vehicle, a variety of firearms and defense devices, a two-way radio, typewriter, calculator, copier, etc. Must be able to exert up to 150 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Physical requirements of the job are those rated for Medium Work.Data Conception- Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.Interpersonal Communications- Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes giving instructions and/or directions to the general public. Includes receiving instructions, assignments and/or directions from superiors.Language Ability - Requires the ability to read a variety of reports, records and memorandums. Requires the ability to prepare reports, correspondence, forms, etc., using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style. Requires the ability to speak before groups of people with poise, clarity, voice control, and confidence.Intelligence- Requires the ability to apply principles of logical thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid and coherent conclusions. Requires the ability to access critical situations and establish methods to resolve such situations in absence of direct supervision.Verbal Aptitude - Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of technical or professional languages including legal and medical terminology, and emergency response codes.Numerical Aptitude - Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas. Must be able to add, subtract, multiply and divide. Must be able to utilize decimals and percentages, as well as interpret graphs.Form/Spatial Aptitude - Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.Motor Coordination- Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using automated weaponry. Must be able to operate a motor vehicle.Manual Dexterity- Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, office equipment, control knobs, switches, weapons, etc. Must have high levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.Color Discrimination- Requires the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color.Interpersonal Temperament - Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under stress when confronted with emergency situations.Physical Communication - Requires the ability to talk and/or hear: (talking - expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing - perceiving nature of sounds by ear.) Must be able to communicate via two-way radio.The city of Portsmouth offers a complete and comprehensive benefit package to full-time employees including: medical, dental, vision, legal, Flexible Spending Accounts, basic and optional life insurance, short-term disability insurance, Virginia Retirement System (includes a mandatory 5% employee contribution), holidays, vacation, sick leave, deferred compensation plan, and Chartway Credit Union. To learn more details, visit 01 The supplemental questions are a very important first step in our screening process. Therefore, you are required to complete these questions so that we may initially determine your eligibility for this position. A lack of detail and explanation in the supplemental questions and in your application may result in failure or disqualification for this position. This means you will be ineligible for further consideration in this recruitment process. Please check yes to show that you have read and understand this statement.
02 Do you have a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record?
03 Please select the highest level of education completed.
- Less than High School
- High School Diploma or GED
- Some College
- Associates/Vocational/Technical
- Bachelor's Degree or Higher
04 Are you currently a certified law enforcement officer in the Commonwealth of Virginia? (A copy of your DCJS Certification must be attached to your application)
05 You must upload the following documents along with their online application:• Copy of your Birth Certificate • Copy of your valid Driver's License• Minimum of a High School Diploma or GED Certificate• DD-214, if applicable.Please DO NOT submit your application without the required documents. Any applications without the required documents will be considered incomplete and will not be considered further. I have read and understand this statement and have attached the requested documents as required.
06 Have you been convicted of any criminal violation(s)?
- I have been convicted of a felony.
- I have been convicted of a misdemeanor
- I have been convicted of a felony and a misdemeanor
- I have not been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor
07 Have you at any time participated in any illegal act, arising from the possession, sale, manufacture or distribution of any narcotic, controlled substance or dangerous drug, as defined by state or federal law, excluding the use of marijuana?
08 Have you been in Possession or use of marijuana or any of its derivatives within the previous six(6) months?
09 Have you illegally possessed or consumed Adderall more than 3 times and/or withinthe last 3 years, or illegal possession of any Schedule I or Schedule II drug, orderivative thereof, within the last ten (10) years (excluding misdemeanormarijuana)?
10 Have you been convicted of A felony as defined in the Code of Virginia, or a crime of comparable nature in any other jurisdiction.
11 Are you a U.S. Citizen?
12 Please provide an explanation of any periods of unemployment that are 30 days or longer. Indicate N/A if you have not experienced any periods of unemployment. 13 Human Resource Management relies exclusively on email to maintain efficient and effective communication with Firefighter Recruit applicants. A valid and current email address must be indicated on your employment application in order to receive time-sensitive information pertaining to the application process.The email address indicated on this employment application is current, valid and can be used as a primary means of communicating with me regarding the Police Recruit application process.
14 Please indicate your veteran status. (A copy of your long form DD-214 must be attached to your application).
- I am not a Veteran
- I am a Veteran
15 Have you been convicted of drunk driving or driving under the influence within the past 5 years?
16 How were you made aware of the job posting for Police Officer Recruit? 17 If you were referred for this position, please state who referred you. Please insert N/A if this is not applicable. 18 I have read and understand the automatic disqualifiers and minimum eligibility requirements. I certify that to the best of my knowledge none of these conditions apply to me and that I meet the minimum requirements for consideration as a Certified Police Officer. I have read and understand the above statement. I meet the minimum requirements for consideration as a Certified Portsmouth Police Officer.
Required Question