More Info at JoinViennaPD.com 

If you meet the basic qualifications noted below and are dedicated to serving the community, the Vienna Police Department invites you to consider working with us.  The Town expects its officers to live up to the standard of “Vienna’s finest,” and the hiring process is a thorough and rigorous one.

Basic qualifications

Individuals who want to join the Vienna Police Department must meet the following minimum qualifications:

• at least 21 years old by date of academy graduation
• high-school graduate or GED recipient
• U.S. citizen
• valid driver’s license with excellent record
• able to work 12-hour rotating shifts
• drug-free background
• excellent physical condition
• non-smoker (must sign legal agreement)

Initial steps to apply

Are you qualified? Great, here’s what you need to do:

• Review the police officer job description; search for “police officer.”
• Complete an online Town of Vienna employment application.
• Take the police officer written exam.
  
  • Due to the impact of COVID-19, we have temporarily suspended written testing.  All applications are reviewed, and qualified applicants will receive a Personal History Statement to complete.  Applicants cannot reapply within 12 months of any previous application. 
  • Eligible candidates who have completed an employment application and have been deemed to meet basic qualifications will receive an email with instructions on how to schedule an exam.
  • Testing slots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Advance preparation is not required, but interested candidates may order the POST Study Guide and Practice Test.
  • Applicants who score a minimum of 70% on the exam are placed on the Town’s eligibility list.
  • Applicants may take the exam once every 12 months.

Candidate processing

When candidates pass the written exam, they are placed on an eligibility list and receive a request for a personal history statement.

The Town of Vienna reviews personal history statements as the first step in its background investigation process.  Candidates will be required to complete additional forms and documentation as they progress through various background screening steps.  Failure to return the personal history statement or other requested documents may result in a candidate’s removal from the eligibility list.

Eligibility lists typically expire after one year.  At the end of that period, candidates must retake the exam if they wish to be placed again on the eligibility list and continue to be considered.

The entire candidate process consists of these steps:

• satisfactory score on written examination
• completion of physical agility examination (view Physical Abilities Screening Video)
• completion of background investigation
• completion of polygraph examination
• completion of physical examination
• completion of psychological examination
• interview with the chief of police.

Lateral transfers

Virginia-certified officers with a minimum of two years of certified law enforcement experience or certified officers from other states with three years of appropriate patrol experience may be eligible for our lateral entry options.  Applicants will be considered on an individual basis and out-of-state candidates will be evaluated by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services for eligibility waiver.  If the waiver is not approved, you will be assigned to the next basic training academy in order to be certified by Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Service.  Please call 703-255-7826 with questions regarding Virginia or out of state lateral entry options.

Salary and benefits

The entry-level salary for a Town of Vienna police officer is $63,000 per year.  All uniforms and equipment ($50 shoe allowance) are furnished by the Town of Vienna.  All officers receive an annual dry-cleaning allowance of $330 per year.

Find more information about Town of Vienna benefits and leave.