FAQ
Have questions? Below are answers to our most frequently asked questions about working for the Arlington County Police Department. If you need more information, feel free to contact a recruiter. We look forward to connecting with you!
Entry Level Officer
This is an entry level patrol officer position, with an emphasis on community policing and problem solving.
- Hiring bonus up to $15,000
- Starting salary $72,013.50
- Annual starting salary increases automatically to $90,012 on July 1, 2026
- 25 Year Retirement (No Age Limit)
- Patrol officers work the equivalent of a 37.5 hour work week with 4 and 5 days off at a time
- Academy training paid at full salary
From recruit to retiree, the benefits offered by Arlington County are competitive and comprehensive.
- Basic & Supplemental Life Insurance
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Leave
- Retirement
- Learning Opportunities
- Commuting Benefits
- More about pay, leave and benefits.
Arlington County, Virginia is a world-class community and tourist destination located across the Potomac River from the nation’s capital. It maintains a rich variety of engaged neighborhoods, quality schools, and enlightened land use. Home to some of the most influential organizations in the world — including the Pentagon — Arlington stands out as one of America’s preeminent places to live, visit, and conduct business.
The Department’s flexible schedule lets patrol officers work a fixed shift consisting of only 15 days a month. Additionally, patrol officers have two weekends off per month, giving you more free time to spend with family and friends. The Department takes a holistic approach to officer wellness and has developed programs in partnership with local organizations and other agencies. This programming emphasizes training to provide personnel with the tools and skills to mitigate and manage stress and experiences they encounter on the job.
From date of hire, until retirement, officers at the Arlington County Police Department have access to paid training opportunities on leading tactics and emerging issues facing the law enforcement profession.
Lateral Officer
The Arlington County Police Department seeks qualified police officers to join our team of dedicated sworn and civilian employees as a lateral transfer.
All active, local, state and federal law enforcement officers, excluding Military Police Officers, are exempt from taking the police entrance exam.
A Virginia lateral transfer officer is someone that is already a Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services Certified Law Enforcement Officer.
Upon being hired, all certified officers from outside of Virginia, depending on years of experience, may need to complete either a modified or basic academy for Virginia Certification. The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) has instituted a modified academy, called the Option 5 Out-of-State Lateral Program, for officers transferring to Virginia. To participate in the Option 5 academy, applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements set forth by DCJS.
- Hiring bonus up to $25,000
- Lateral officers may be eligible for a higher pay grade. All applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and salaries are commensurate with prior law enforcement experience (including military law enforcement) up to 10 years with a maximum starting salary of $95,491.50. Effective July 1, 2026, the maximum starting salary for lateral officers increases to $103,330. All lateral officers must successfully pass the one-year probationary period after completion of Field Training.
- 25 Year Retirement (No Age Limit)
- Patrol officers work the equivalent of a 37.5 hour work week with 4 and 5 days off at a time.
From recruit to retiree, the benefits offered by Arlington County are competitive and comprehensive.
- Basic & Supplemental Life Insurance
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Leave
- Retirement
- Learning Opportunities
- Commuting Benefits
- More about pay, leave and benefits.
Applicants for police officer positions with the Arlington County Police Department must meet the below outlined requirements.
Benefits
Arlington County offers health, dental, life and disability insurance plans.
Arlington County offers flexible spending accounts for Healthcare, Dependent Care, Parking and Limited Purpose.
Vacation:
- Full-time permanent employees earn vacation based on years of service starting at 130 hours per year, up to 208 hours per year.
- Accrual pro-rated for part time staff.
Sick:
- Full-time permanent employees earn 104 hours of sick leave per year.
- Accrual pro-rated for part-time staff.
Holidays:
- The County provides 11 fixed holidays and 2 floating holidays.
Volunteer:
- Employees are encouraged to use up to 16 hours each year to give back to the community, of which 8 of the hours can be used to support organizations outside of Arlington.
Parental Leave
Military Leave
Bereavement Leave
Defined Benefit (Pension):
The Arlington County Employees’ Retirement System (“ACERS”) is one of the retirement benefits offered to Arlington County employees. ACERS is a pension plan that provides you with guaranteed monthly income during your retirement. ACERS has many options that can help you meet your retirement goals. How much you will get is based on how many years you work for Arlington, your three highest years of pay, and the options you choose
Learn More About ACERS – Official Website of Arlington County Virginia
401(a) Defined Contribution & Optional 401(a) After Tax:
- Plan administered by Voya
457 Deferred Compensation & 457 Roth:
- Plan administered by Voya
Access to Voya Financial Advisors:
- Registered representatives on site to assist you with your retirement and financial planning needs. Services are free for employees and retirees.
County Courses:
- Provides opportunity to learn a variety of skills (during work hours) and free of charge. Courses are offered both online and in-person.
HealthSmart Classes:
- Offers classes to encourage healthy lifestyles and to address various health and wellness issues.
Tuition Reimbursement:
- Provides reimbursement up to a set amount ($2,500) for tuition expenses of an employee attending an accredited university for classes that are related to your current job or help you to attain skills to qualify for another County job.
Metro/Mass Transit:
- Provides a 80% pre-tax subsidy up to $180 per month for an employee’s mass transit commuting expenses.
Walk or Bike to Work:
- Pays $35/month to employees who use a non-motorized form of transportation to get to work.
Parking:
- If you park in a county lot, parking expenses are withheld from your paycheck on a pre-tax basis.
Live Where You Work Grants:
- Offers eligible employees financial assistance to rent or purchase a home in Arlington.
HealthSmart Wellness Clinic:
- The onsite clinic at Bozman Government Center offers convenient access to health services at no cost to the employee.
Employee Assistance Program “EAP”:
- Arlington County offers employees a wide-range of mental health and work-life services through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). The County is committed to ensuring employees have the support they need to navigate life challenges and achieve a well-balanced and healthy life.
CollegeAmerica 529 Savings Plan:
- Provides a mechanism for employees to save for college expenses, while having the earnings grow tax-deferred.
Adult Daycare:
- County employees are eligible to receive a discount on the daily rate at the Walter Reed Adult Health Care Center. Rates are determined on a sliding scale.
Parks and Recreational Programs:
- Grants access to summer camp and Barcroft & TJ gyms at the County-resident rate.
Adoption Assistance:
- Employees can receive up to $9,000 per child to assist with adoption fees.
Minimum Qualifications
Must have completed sixty (60) semester hours of college work at an accredited college or university prior to being hired. Applicants are eligible to apply within six months of completing the required sixty semester hours.
Substitution to the educational requirement:
- Prior law enforcement experience – One year full-time post law enforcement academy experience with a recognized local, state or federal law enforcement agency.
- Prior military experience- Two year continuous active duty experience with the United States Military and have, or are eligible to receive, an “honorable discharge.” (Candidates tested before discharge will be required to present an “honorable discharge” before hire.)
NOTE: Candidates qualifying for employment with a substitution will be eligible for Police Officer and Corporal positions only. Candidates must complete sixty (60) semester hours of college work at an accredited college or university in order to compete for the positions of Sergeant and above.
Must be 20 years and 6 months of age at the time of application.
Must be in good physical condition as determined by a licensed medical professional provided by Arlington County Government.
Must be a non-tobacco user. Must sign an agreement that you will not use tobacco products on or off the job during your tenure of employment as a police officer.
Applicants are encouraged to familiarize themselves with Arlington County Police Department’s policies on personal appearance (Manual Directives 402.00 Appearance – 402.04 Facial Hair).
Must be a United States citizen.
Valid driver’s license from state of residence at time of application. The applicant must authorize Arlington County to obtain, or the applicant must provide a copy of the applicant’s official state/district driving record. Any offer of employment may be contingent upon a favorable review of the applicant’s driving record.
Applicants will be screened during a preliminary background investigation. Individual situations will be evaluated on a case by case basis, however, a good driving record and a clean criminal history are considered essential. Candidates who have engaged in any activity that would support a felony conviction are unlikely to receive favorable consideration. Misdemeanor convictions for crimes relating to theft, domestic violence, or assault are likely to be disqualifying. Recent convictions for D.U.I., or D.W.I, as well as multiple convictions for speeding or other moving violations may also result in disqualification.
Applicants must meet the below requirements related to substance use:
- Marijuana: No use from the date of application, regardless of location of use (includes states/countries where usage may be legal.)
- Illegal Drugs – Schedule 1 Drugs (drugs never prescribed for any legitimate medical purpose): No use within three (3) years preceding the date of application.
- Prescription Drugs/Legally Obtained Substances: Schedule 2 Drugs (medicinal drugs not used in a manner consistent with what they are prescribed for): No non-prescribed/unauthorized use from the date of application.
- Anabolic Steroids: No non-prescribed/unauthorized use within two years of the date of application.
- Having sold, distributed, or manufactured any prescription or illegal drugs without legal authorization may result in automatic disqualification.
Pursuant to Virginia Code § 15.2-1705, applicants are not required to disclose information concerning any arrest or criminal charge against them that has been expunged.
The Recruitment Process
Our comprehensive recruitment process is designed to identify candidates who best exemplify the core values of our Department. The hiring process consists of three main phases: the application and testing process, the interview process, and the background investigation process. The hiring process generally spans 2-5 months and applicants are hired on a rolling basis throughout the year.
Applicants who meet the Department’s hiring criteria will receive an emailed invitation from eSOPH to complete their background investigation documents. Upon submission of a completed profile, a background investigator will review the information and may then invite the applicant to take the Law Enforcement Written Exam through the National Testing Network. If you have not received any communication from your background investigator within two weeks of submitting your application, email the Personnel and Recruitment Unit.
Candidates must pass the National Testing Network (NTN) Law Enforcement Exam to advance in the hiring process. A voucher for the exam will be provided at no cost. Those who have taken the exam for another agency in the past year can share their scores with ACPD. Candidates who do not pass on the first attempt may retake the test after three (3) months. If they do not pass on their second attempt, they must wait one year to reapply.
The NTN Law Enforcement Exam consists of several parts. The proctored portion involves reading, writing, and video testing formats. The non-proctored portion is a Public Safety Self-Assessment. The exam can be taken virtually, or at one of many locations nationwide. To learn more about testing options and opportunities to practice, please refer to this website: Public Safety Careers | Firefighter Jobs | Police Officer Jobs | National Testing Network
Applicants will be interviewed by a cross-section of ACPD officers either virtually or in-person. Applicants should be prepared to discuss the following topic areas: personal and work history; your interest in law enforcement and ACPD; personal strengths and weaknesses; personality/character traits; and various law enforcement scenarios. Applicants must answer all questions completely, accurately and truthfully.
The Background Investigation phase includes, but is not limited to:
- Polygraph Examination (in-person)
- Psychological Evaluation (virtual)
- Consists of formal interview and testing with a psychologist
- Medical Evaluation (Pass/Fail, in-person)
- Consists of comprehensive physical evaluation, including a drug screening
Once applicants have successfully completed the Law Enforcement Exam, they will advance through the remaining steps of the hiring process. If applicants receive a probationary offer of employment, they will then begin their academy training with the next available session. Our recruits attend the Northern Virginia Regional Criminal Justice Training Academy (NVCJA) in Ashburn, Va.
Upon completion of the hiring process, you may receive your offer of probationary employment. Winter and summer Academy sessions begin in January or July respectively, however; applicants may start working for the Department at any point prior to their Academy start date. Recruits are paid their full salary plus benefits beginning on their date of hire.
Cadet Program
As a cadet, you’ll have a diverse role that covers various aspects of law enforcement. Here’s an overview of what you can expect:
Training: You’ll receive comprehensive training in law enforcement topics, including advanced first aid, communication skills, community engagement, investigations, and more. This training equips you with valuable skills and knowledge for a future career in policing.
Mentorship: Experienced law enforcement officers will serve as your mentors, offering guidance and sharing their expertise. They’ll help you navigate the challenges and demands of the field.
Community Engagement: Actively participate in community events, programs, and outreach initiatives. This allows you to interact with community members, support public safety efforts, and contribute to our agency’s community-oriented approach.
Administrative Tasks: Assist with administrative duties within the department, such as record-keeping, data analysis, and report preparation. These tasks provide insights into the administrative side of law enforcement.
Physical Fitness: Emphasis is placed on physical fitness, and you’ll participate in training and activities to meet necessary physical standards.
Professional Development: The program includes professional development opportunities like workshops, seminars, and access to resources that enhance personal and professional growth.
Teamwork: You’ll collaborate with fellow cadets and law enforcement professionals, strengthening teamwork and communication skills.
Department Support: Cadets assist the department based on its needs and priorities, which may include public events, outreach, and contributing to ACPD’s mission.
Throughout your cadet experience, you’ll learn, grow, and gain insights into the diverse aspects of law enforcement. Your role as a cadet is an essential step in your journey to becoming a law enforcement officer and an opportunity to make a real impact on our community.
For more detailed information about specific activities and responsibilities, please contact the Community Engagement Division for further clarification.
Enrolling in the ACPD Cadet Program offers a host of compelling advantages. In addition to the exceptional training and hands-on experience provided, Cadets are compensated at a competitive hourly rate of $22.00 per hour. Moreover, cadets have the opportunity to receive reimbursement for up to 9 college credits per semester, with the reimbursement amount being in line with the cost per credit at Northern Virginia Community College. It’s important to note that while cadets have the flexibility to attend any higher institution, the reimbursement structure is tailored to the pricing of credits at Northern Virginia Community College. This dual benefit structure not only advances your career prospects but also supports your educational aspirations, making it a strategically rewarding endeavor.
Yes, depending on your school’s requirements.
To be eligible for the Cadet Program, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Hold U.S. citizenship.
- Possess a high school diploma or GED.
- Have a valid driver’s license or the capability to obtain one.
- Have no felony convictions or serious misdemeanors on your record.
- Refrain from using marijuana from the date of your application, irrespective of its legal status in states or countries where it may be permitted.
Yes, candidates can apply for the Cadet Program even if they are not currently enrolled in college. However, to meet the eligibility criteria for employment, candidates must be actively enrolled in and taking at least 9 college credits at an accredited college or university during the fall and spring semesters. In other words, you’re welcome to apply at any time, but appointment to the program will be contingent on maintaining enrollment with a minimum of 9 credits at a higher education institution and a 2.0 GPA.
As a cadet, you will be expected to dedicate a maximum of 20 hours per week to the program. We understand that our cadets are college students, and our commitment is to provide scheduling flexibility that aligns with your academic obligations. You can remain in the Cadet Program for a period of up to three years, allowing you to seamlessly integrate your academic goals with the demands of the program. Our goal is to help you successfully balance your academic pursuits and the responsibilities of the Cadet Program.
Internships
Investigative
This position is located in the Criminal Investigations Division: Homicide/Robbery Unit. The purpose of the Investigative Assistant Intern is to provide direct assistance to the detectives in the Homicide/Robbery Unit, Burglary/Larceny Unit, Special Victims Unit and the General Assignment Unit.
- Interns will be directly involved interviewing victims and witnesses in a variety of cases such as assaults, threats, missing persons, domestic assaults, larcenies and other property crimes
- Interns will be provided with orientation and guidance on how to conduct these interviews and work on each case with the assigned detective
- This internship will acquaint the student with the investigative process by actually being a part of the investigations
- Interns will conduct interviews, document statements and provide input to the detectives on disposition of cases
- An intern’s work may lead to identifying suspects to be prosecuted
Interns accepted for this assignment will complete the process with true investigative experience. The intern will develop strategies and make recommendations to the Detective and the intern will work closely with the Detectives throughout the investigative process. The Detectives will involve the intern in all phases of the investigation and treat them as colleagues.
Visit (https://www.arlingtonva.us/
Photography
This position is assigned to the Special Operations Section (SOS): Motor Unit. The Photography Intern is tasked with digitally capturing images and curating a portfolio that showcases the daily activities of the Motor Unit, Traffic Management Unit, Public Service Aides, and Crossing Guards.
- Interns will enjoy exclusive opportunities to photograph police escorts, special events, ceremonies, community outreach initiatives, and patrol activities. This includes but is not limited to citizen interactions, youth activities, National Police Week, Armed Forces Race, the annual 4th of July celebration, 9/11 Memorial 5K, the Army 10 Miler, the Marine Corps Marathon race, and numerous other events.
- The internship will provide an insider’s view of the daily operations within the Special Operations Section, an experience rarely accessible to volunteers or non-employees.
- Interns will engage in close collaboration with officers and civilian personnel, shadowing them through their daily routines and gaining firsthand insight into the profession of law enforcement.
- Tasked with delivering digital images for the department’s utilization in recruitment efforts, community outreach, news features, social media posts, and other promotional endeavors to support the department.
- The Arlington County Police Department will maintain ownership of all images, while the intern will have the chance to incorporate approved photos into their portfolio.
Selected applicants for this assignment will collaborate closely with the Special Operations Section for at least one semester to enhance their skills and expand their portfolio with various professional and candid images. Additionally, they will focus on demonstrating proficiency in capturing various photography styles, including portrait, landscape, street, documentary, and event photography. SOS personnel will engage the intern in all aspects of the job, navigating a dynamic and unpredictable environment where each day presents new challenges and experiences.
Visit (https://www.arlingtonva.us/
Core Values
We are willing to confront internal and external challenges. We recognize the dangers inherent in our profession and are willing to place the safety of others above our own.
We are knowledgeable and proficient in the performance of our responsibilities. We assess our actions to improve performance.
We pledge to fulfill our missions by being accountable to our community, our department, and to each other.
We care about the well-being of all members of our department and community. We treat everyone with dignity and respect.
We are committed to the highest standards of honesty and ethical conduct, which are the cornerstones of our profession. We uphold the public trust and our commitment to our core values.
We exercise self-discipline and control at all times to model behavior for our peers and community.
We recognize the authority we hold and will treat others as we would like to be treated. We faithfully, and without bias, honor our obligations to the community.
Apply Now
We serve a diverse, urban and engaged community with an emphasis on community policing and problem solving, in support of the Department’s key initiatives: community engagement, transportation safety, and crime prevention and control.