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HIRING PROCESS

The Department’s recruitment and selection process supports the Prince William County Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action plans.

The selection process takes approximately four to six months after the initial Police Officer application has been received. Applicants must successfully complete the following phases:

  • Online application submission
  • Personal history statement (PHS)
  • Conditional offer of employment
  • Pre-screen interview
  • Physical fitness assessment
  • Polygraph examination
  • Background interview and investigation
  • Medical and physical examinations
  • Psychological examination
  • Police ride-a-long
  • Interview with the Chief of Police or designee
  • Final approval by the Chief of Police

The selection process for our professional staff positions takes approximately two to four months, and includes some, but not all of the phases listed above.

Application Process

We use an online application — rather than a resume — in our employment process for both sworn and professional staff positions. Apply online.

Eligibility Criteria Guidelines for Selection of Police Department Applicants

Minimum guidelines for police officers referenced in VA Code § 15.2-1705

  • Applicants must not intentionally conceal, omit, or intentionally provide false or misleading information related to information sought during any phase of the applicant process.
  • Applicants are not required to reveal expunged arrest records, and such cannot be used to disqualify.
  • Must not have been convicted of or have pleaded guilty or no contest to any of the following:
    • A felony or any offense that would be a felony if committed in Virginia.
    • A misdemeanor crime of a serious nature or a crime that indicates a tendency to disregard the law.
    • Any misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, including but not limited to, petit larceny.
    • Any misdemeanor sex offense including but not limited to sexual battery or consensual sexual intercourse with a minor 15 or older.
    • Domestic assault.
  • Must not have committed any undetected crimes of a serious or repetitive nature.
  • Must not have any arrest or pattern of arrests that will degrade public confidence in the department.

Employment Drug Policy

The Prince William County Police Department maintains the following standards from date of application:

  • No Marijuana use from the date of application, regardless of location of use (includes states/countries where usage may be legal.)

Illegal Drugs (drugs never prescribed for any legitimate medical purpose):

  • No use within three (3) years preceding the date of application.
  • Must not have sold, distributed, or manufactured any illegal drug or controlled substance without legal authorization.

Prescription Drugs/Legally Obtained Substances:

  • No non-prescribed/unauthorized use from the date of application, including, Adderall, Xanax, etc.
  • Must not have sold, distributed, or manufactured any prescription drug without legal authorization.

Anabolic Steroids:

  • No non-prescribed/unauthorized use from the date of application.
  • Must not have sold, distributed, or manufactured any prescription drugs without legal authorization.

Traffic Offenses

  • Must not have more than six (6) negative points against the applicant’s driver’s license at the time of hire.
  • Must not possess a driving record that reflects irresponsible driving behavior.
  • Must not have a conviction for DUI or a DUI-related conviction within
    two (2) years preceding the date of application.
  • Must not have a conviction for being Intoxicated in Public (IIP) or an IIP-related conviction, or be ordered by a judge to obtain counseling for an alcohol related issue within one (1) year preceding the date of application.

Character 

  • Must be of sound character as measured by qualities such as loyalty, responsibility, ability to function under stress, control of anger, maturity, and honesty.
  • Abnormal traits of flaws in character will be identified based on psychological testing, polygraph testing and background investigation.
  • Applicants must not demonstrate a history of immoral or biased behavior on-line or with social media.
  • Must meet established medical, psychological, and physical requirements.

Applicant Physical Fitness Assessment Elements

​The Prince William County Police Department requires all police officer applicants to complete a Physical Fitness Assessment as part of the application process. The assessment is not pass/fail, but is designed to gauge an applicants fitness level compared with established benchmarks to prepare you for the Academy and to aid in injury prevention. Prince William County Police Department personnel will administer this test only after you have provided a completed medical examination form that includes a recent blood pressure measurement.

WEIGHT: You will be weighed before starting the assessment. This will be used for determining the benchmarks for the elements, as noted below.

STEP TEST: The first part of the physical fitness assessment will be  a 3-minute step test. The 3-minute step test is a preliminary cardiovascular screening technique that measures the heart rate in the recovery period following 3 minutes of stepping up and down on a 12-inch bench/step. The rate of stepping is 96 steps per minute, which must be maintained for the full 3 minutes. A 60-second heart rate will be taken beginning 5 seconds after the final step. The following rates are the minimum rates:

  • Males: less than 148 beats per minute
  • Females: less than 172 beats per minute

The following elements comprise the Physical Fitness Assessment:

  • 1.5-MILE RUN:  Complete a 1.5-mile run within 17 minutes
  • BENCH PRESS: Bench press at least 60% of body weight (as measured above)
  • PUSH-UP: Complete at least 13 push-ups in 1 minute
  • SIT-UP: Complete at least 24 sit-ups in 1 minute
  • 300 METER (Approx. 328 yds.) SPRINT: Complete 300 meter run within 76 seconds
  • VERTICAL JUMP: Jump at least 12 inches from a standing position

*IMPORTANT*
Please refrain from drinking coffee, soda, and energy drinks on the morning of the physical training assessment. These drinks contain a high content of caffeine and sodium that may elevate blood pressure and increase the risk of dehydration. Properly hydrate with water during the 24 hour time frame prior to the  assessment. Avoid consuming too much water immediately before the assessment as this will cause nausea and bloating. It is recommended that you eat a light to moderate meal consisting of foods such as whole grain breads and cereals, rice, pasta, potatoes, and other vegetables an hour or two before your scheduled assessment. Click here to watch the Physical Fitness Assessment instructional video.

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