Police Officer

WE see YOU in BLUE!

The City of Roanoke is seeking qualified and motivated individuals to perform responsible Police protective service work. The duties involve an element of personal danger. Any combination of education or experience equivalent to graduation of high school is acceptable.

Educational Reimbursement, GI Bill educational benefits approved by the VA State Approving Agency, On‑Site Fitness Center, Take‑Home Car Program (with tenure and eligibility requirements). Tattoos and beards are allowed.

Graduation from a community college in social or police science is desirable. Possession of a valid driver’s permit issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia is required. Vision requirements: 20/30 in the better eye corrected, 20/40 in the worse eye corrected; uncorrected vision must be corrected to meet these standards. Applicants must be 21 years old prior to completing the DCJS Certification test during academy training.

All applicants must submit to a drug screening test and a polygraph. Bilingual Spanish/English speakers are encouraged. Shift work includes evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.

To begin the testing process, submit your application. Testing information will be shared via phone call and email. You are requested to complete the Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ) no later than two weeks after your Physical Agility Test.

Patrol an assigned beat on foot, motorcycle, bicycle, or patrol car to control traffic, prevent crime or disturbance of peace, and arrest violators. May perform assigned work in either a uniformed or non‑uniformed capacity.

• Work an assigned shift, including nights and days; 12‑hour shifts once the basic academy has been completed.
• Operate a motor vehicle or walk to observe for violations of traffic laws, suspicious activities or persons, and disturbances of law and order.
• Respond to communication dispatches to answer calls and complaints.
• Assist persons in distress.
• Make arrests following service of warrants, personal observation of offenses, and individual investigation.
• Participate in criminal investigations.
• Testify in court.
• Direct traffic as required and report unsafe conditions in streets or other public facilities.
• Prepare detailed reports for permanent record or inter‑department use.
• Recover stolen and lost property.

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Associate’s degree or equivalent from a two‑year college or technical school with a major in social or police science is desirable but not required; an equivalent combination of education and experience is acceptable.

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to prepare reports and correspondence. Ability to communicate effectively with groups of customers or employees of the organization.

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret a variety of technical instructions and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Possession of a valid driver’s permit issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia. Successful completion of recertification required by the Commonwealth of Virginia on a biennial basis.

Employee must regularly stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach, talk or hear, and sit. Occasional climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, tasting or smelling may be required. Must regularly lift and/or move up to 125 pounds: 25 pounds constantly, 25–70 pounds frequently, and over 70 pounds occasionally. Vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

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