Police ; Testing

Police Recruit Employment Opportunities – City of Harrisonburg

$10,000 HIRING INCENTIVE AVAILABLE TO NEW OFFICERS*

The Harrisonburg Police Department has combined the testing registration and employment opportunities into one advertisement. Candidates who are not currently Certified Officers and are interested in becoming a Police Officer with the HPD must apply to this posting. Candidates will not be considered for vacant Police Officer opportunities if they do not apply to this posting.

Police Recruit Employment Opportunities

The City of Harrisonburg is currently accepting applications for non-certified individuals interested in joining HPD, which offers a rewarding career plus an excellent benefits package, including enhanced hazardous duty through the Virginia Retirement System (VRS). Find out more information in the Harrisonburg Police Officer Candidate Information Packet and be sure to come back to this page to apply.

The Police Recruit position has a preferred hiring rate of $23.10 per hour (equivalent to $48,048.00 annually). An exact salary will be dependent upon the selected candidate's qualifications and experience.

*$10,000 Hiring Incentive

Date of Hire $3,000
Completion of Initial Period of Employment $3,000
Date of Hire Anniversary (2 Years) $2,000
Date of Hire Anniversary (3 Years) $2,000

Police Recruit Testing & Interview Process

The City of Harrisonburg will be offering Police Recruit testing on Friday, February 27 for the July 2026 Basic Law Enforcement Academy. Additional details will be provided to applicants once their submission is reviewed by Human Resources and HPD. At this time, HPD does not have any additional testing dates scheduled for 2026.

Minimum Requirements for Police Recruit:

• High School Diploma or GED. College Degree or Military Experience, preferred.
• 21 years of age by completion of basic law enforcement academy.
• U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident Alien with an application for Naturalization filed and pending with Immigration Services, if DCJS-approved.
• Valid driver's license with acceptable record per City policy.
• Able to work 12-hour shifts (6am - 6pm or 6pm - 6am), including nights, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather.
• Ability to perform the physical requirements for this position.
• Must live or be willing to move within a one (1) hour drive of Harrisonburg, VA.

Registration Process:

• Registration is required for testing and can be completed online by selecting apply in the upper right corner of this posting on the City's website. All registration applications must be received through the City of Harrisonburg Human Resources Department's online application system no later than 5:00pm EST on Thursday, February 19, 2026. The online application system will automatically end registration at the indicated deadline, even if applicants are in the middle of the registration process.
  
  Late registrations will not be accepted.
• There are two additional documents (the Personal History Statement and Authorization to Release Information) required for consideration. Once you submit your complete online employment application and it has been pre-screened by Human Resources for minimum qualifications, you will receive an email with the Personal History Statement and Authorization to Release Information Form along with further instructions. These documents must be received in Human Resources no later than 5:00pm EST on Wednesday, February 25, 2026.
• After your completed Personal History Statement and Authorization to Release Information Form have been received and reviewed by Human Resources and the HPD Professional Standards Unit, you will receive an email requesting your attendance at the testing date if you pass the screening at this step. Please hold the testing date on your calendar and monitor the email address used to apply as that will be the email address your invitation is sent.
  
  All invitations for testing will be sent by 3:30pm on Thursday, February 26, 2026.

The following provides information related to the testing processes:

• Written Test
• The written test will be given at the City of Harrisonburg Police Department at 101 N. Main Street in Harrisonburg, VA 22802.
• Check-in…