Police Officer Selection & Recruitment

For more information about employment opportunities with the City of Falls Church Police Department, please call the Human Resources Division at 703-248-5127 (TTY 711).

Current Openings
View the current job openings.

Applicants will disqualify themselves at any point in the selection process if they cancel appointments or do not appear at the examination site(s) at the appointed time.
Requirements
  • U.S. citizen (birth or naturalized)
  • At least 21 years of age
  • High school diploma or GED credential
  • Valid driver's license with a good driving record:
    • No more than 1 moving violation conviction in the past 12-month period
    • No more than 2 convictions in the last 2-year period
    • No driving while intoxicated (DWI) within the previous 3-year period
  • Non-user of all tobacco products at the effective date of hire and remain so during tenure of employment, certified through a signed "Condition of Employment" contract; this restriction applies to the use of tobacco products both on and off the job
  • No felony conviction as an adult
  • No misdemeanor conviction (class 1 or 2) as an adult
  • All arrest records other than those listed above will be considered on a case-by-case basis
  • College degree (preferred, not required)
  • Two years experience as a Virginia state certified police officer (preferred, not required)
  • Bilingual ability in English and Spanish / Korean / Vietnamese (preferred, not required)
Written Examination
Applicants must obtain a passing score on the Police Officer Selection Test, plus meet all other minimum qualification requirements stated above. Any candidate who is currently certified by the Department of Criminal Justice Services (DJCS) as a Law Enforcement Officer in the State of Virginia will be exempt from this qualifying examination. Upon verification of current certification, they will proceed directly to the next steps in the selection process.

Character / Background Investigation
Candidates with a pass score on the test must return their city application and personal history statement as directed. This information will be thoroughly evaluated; a senior Police Department official will interview eligible candidates.

Candidates will either be withdrawn from further consideration or referred for further screening, including a comprehensive background investigation conducted by the Police Department. This includes education record, credit rating, work experience, character and reputation, driving record, and criminal background check. The department retains the right to reject any individual for any arrest and/or conviction that occurred at any age.

Conditional Offer of Employment
Following satisfactory results of the background investigation and all other selection criteria as mentioned, an initial and conditional offer of employment will be extended. This offer is contingent upon successfully meeting the remaining selection criteria, which includes but not limited to, a polygraph examination, comprehensive physical examination, and psychological assessment.

Polygraph Examination
Trained police personnel will administer a complete polygraph examination. All questions will be discussed with the applicant by the polygraph examiner prior to the start of the test. At that time, the applicant will be given an opportunity to clarify any potential problem areas. Applicants will be questioned on the following areas:
  • Accuracy of information provided on application, and all other written documents
  • Honesty, integrity, and reliability of the applicant
  • Criminal history, either previously detected or undetected
  • Involvement with illicit drugs
Psychological Assessment
A psychological assessment is required to measure emotional stability, psychological fitness and suitability. A licensed psychologist selected by the city conducts the assessment.

Complete Physical Examination
A complete physical examination is provided free of charge by a physician designated by the city. The examining physician will evaluate the applicant's physical status to include, but not limited to, the following:
  • Blood pressure
  • Body fat composition and weight
  • Flexibility and work motion assessment
  • Hearing
  • Heart condition
  • Lung and chest
  • Neurological disorders
  • Tuberculosis testing
  • Vision
Candidates must pass near vision, color blindness, darkness perception, night vision, and peripheral vision tests, and have corrected vision of 20/30 poorer eye, 20/20 better eye, 20/20 in both eyes when tested together.

Additional Testing & Potential Cost
Candidates are required to pass a pulmonary function test and treadmill stress electrocardiograph. In addition, applicants are required to complete a detailed medical history form that will be reviewed to determine if additional medical tests, previous medical records and/or reports from private physicians are necessary to make a final determination regarding the applicant's physical fitness to perform in the position. The cost of additional medical tests, statements or previous medical records from private physicians, if required, may be the responsibility of the applicant. Reasonable accommodation requests will be evaluated upon receipt.

Final Offer of Employment
After a complete review of all information and test results, the Police Officer candidate will be interviewed by the Chief of Police who will make the final determination whether or not to confirm the conditional offer of employment.

Hired officers will be required to sign an employment contract with the city containing financial obligation for resignation within certain time periods.

Performance is 1st reviewed 6 months following police academy graduation, and every 6 months thereafter.