The Hopewell Police Department’s hiring philosophy is simple – we recruit the best and the brightest. If you are among those people who strive for excellence and want an exciting career where you make a difference, we invite you to join our team. The Hopewell Police Department offers many different fulfilling career paths and opportunities for police officers. Among these are Patrol and Narcotics K-9 Officer, Critical Response Team (SWAT), Community Police Officer, and School Resource Officer. Applicants for employment as police officers with the Hopewell Police Department are encouraged to submit a completed online application to the City of Hopewell Office of Human Resources. Applications are maintained on file for one year and used to fill officer vacancies as they occur.

Application Package

• Individuals are eligible to apply when they meet the following requirements:
• Must be a United States citizen
• Must be at least 21 years of age
• Must possess a high school diploma or GED certificate
• Must not have any felony or serious misdemeanor convictions
• Must have no demerit points on driving record
• Must pass a physical agility screening test and an extensive physical examination
• Must pass a psychological  and polygraph examination   
• Must agree to sign a physical fitness maintenance contract and a three (3) year employment contract
• Must pass a written examination

Benefits

• Worker's Compensation Insurance
• Deferred Compensation Plans
• Employees' Federal Credit Union
• Career Development Program
• Tuition Assistance Reimbursement
• Permanent shift assignments
• Uniform and equipment furnished
• 12 holidays included in annual leave accrual; 136 hours of annual vacation leave for the first year, 160 hours of annual vacation leave for employees with service of 1-5 years of service
• Medical and dental coverage for employee
• 15 days military leave per year for the purpose of attending annual reserve military training
• Participation in Take Home Vehicle Program upon successful completion of basic academy training (for city resident)
• Regular (semi-annual) in-service and training at the Crater Criminal Justice Training Academy
• Full retirement benefits through the Virginia Retirement System.
• Law Enforcement Officers Supplement income through Virginia State Retirement Services with 20 years VRS service
• Starting salary Police Officer salary is $35,157. Salary increases to $36,931 on completion of training.
• Communication Officer starting salary is $31,961.

Physical Fitness Test

All applicants for the position of Police Officer will be required to complete a Physical Ability Course that is composed of job-related physical skills necessary for successful performance as outlined by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services for entry-level Virginia law enforcement officers.

This course consists of running (sprinting 25 yards), jumping over an obstacle (3 feet wide), climbing over an obstacle (5 feet high), crawling (under an obstacle 24 inches high by 10 feet long), climbing steps (climbing an 8 inch step, 12 reps up/up down/down), climbing through an opening (36 inches high by 30 inches wide, 3 feet above the ground), identifing a suspect, move a suspect/victim (drag a dummy weighing 150 lbs. 5 yards), and pull the trigger of a double action weapon while holding the muzzle inside of a 6 inch diameter circle using one hand and then the other.