December 19: Accelerated Hiring Workshop

Frequently
Asked
Questions

We get about starting a career with the
Prince William County Police Department.

What are your hiring standards?

Click this link to view our hiring standards.

How long is the Academy and where is it located?

The Prince William County Criminal Justice Academy is located in Nokesville, VA, and is 24 weeks long.  The Academy is a commuter academy with general operating hours of 0655 hours -1530 hours, although occasional evening training is required.

When does the Academy session start?

The Prince William County Police Department holds 3 academy sessions per year that start in March, July and November.

How long is the Field Training Officer Program after you complete the Academy?

The Field Training Officer (FTO) Program is 45 working days.  This equates to about three months with the patrol work schedule. Officers are released to solo duty once successfully completing the FTO program. Prince William County Police Officers do not ride in pairs.

What is the patrol work schedule like?

The patrol work schedule is five days on, five days off, five days on, four days off, five days on, four days off…and repeat.  We have permanent, non-rotating shifts.  Our day shift is 0700–1700 hours, the evening shift is 1600–0200 hours, and our midnight shift is 2100–0700 hours.  Once you are assigned a shift, it is permanent unless you request a transfer to a different shift.

How many stations do you have and where are they located?

We have three main police stations, separated by districts:

  • Eastern District Station, 15948 Donald Curtis Drive, Woodbridge, VA 22191
  • Western District Station, 8900 Freedom Center Boulevard, Manassas, VA 20110
  • Central District Station, 5036 Davis Ford Road, Woodbridge, VA 22192

There are other police office locations throughout the County, that house different police services such as the Records Bureau, Police Personnel, and the Academy.

When can you go into a specialized unit?

You can submit a request for consideration when there is a vacancy announcement advertised within the Department. Minimum years of service vary by position to be accepted. Experience is a factor in the final selection.

What kind of retirement do you have?

Prince William County participates in the Virginia Retirement System (VRS), with full retirement at 25 years of service and 50 years of age for sworn officers.

I am a police officer from another jurisdiction. How will I be compensated for my experience?

Experienced police officers are entitled to a more generous starting salary compared to entry-level officers with no prior service. In Prince William County, our Police Department employs a tenure-based compensation system that takes into consideration an officer’s completed years of service. The initial salary for new police officers with prior experience is determined based on their credited completed years of service. To calculate your experience credit, we adhere to the following guidelines:

  1. Previously employed police officers with Prince William County Police Department will receive full 100% credit for all completed years of sworn service with the Department.
  2. Officers with prior police experience outside of Prince William County, who are certified as Virginia Law Enforcement Officers in another Virginia locality, are eligible to receive 100% credit for their completed years of service, up to a maximum of ten (10) years.
  3. Officers with previous police experience as certified law enforcement officers from another state will also be granted 100% credit for their completed years of service, up to a maximum of ten (10) years.

The starting salary offered will correspond to the base amount associated with your credited years of experience.

Additionally, as a testament to our dedication to attracting and highly qualified police applicants, we provide a substantial $10,000 hiring bonus to all newly hired police officers. Furthermore, Virginia certified officers who choose to join the Prince William County Police Department may be eligible for an additional $3,000 bonus in recognition of their invaluable experience.

I’m interested in a Professional Staff position. Where can I apply?

Visit www.pwcva.gov/department/human-resources/careers to view all open positions with the Prince William County Government.

Please email the police recruiters at [email protected] for further information.

Prince William County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.