JOIN THE BEST.
Contact a recruiter for more information.
Entry Level
Police Officer
Starting your police career at the Fairfax County Police Department will set you up for success. As the largest police department in Virginia, no other agency can provide you with the amount of training, career advancement, or specialty unit opportunities as the FCPD. You will earn your full salary and contribute toward retirement throughout the 6-month Basic Law Enforcement Training Academy. Get a starting pay step increase (5% each pay step, up to Step 6) for each of the following: college degree, military service, foreign language proficiency, and prior law enforcement experience.
- Police Officer pay range: $69,074.10 – $124,047.04*
- All uniforms and equipment are provided by the department
- View Fairfax County’s Employee Benefits SummaryÂ
Â
*Entry-level salary will be determined within pay grade based upon relevant preferred qualifications: college degree, prior law enforcement experience, military service, and foreign language proficiency.
- Click on Apply Now to learn more about the qualifications and requirements for this position.
The entire hiring process can be completed in 3 to 4 months and consists of the following phases:
- Initial Application
- Personal History Questionnaire
- Polygraph
- Physical Abilities TestÂ
- Background Investigation
- Psychological Evaluation
- Medical Exam
$15,000 Hiring Incentive
In-State
Lateral Officer
Are you looking to expand your law enforcement career options and salary? Virginia DCJS certified law enforcement officers may be eligible to attend our 2-week Direct to the Street Academy and can port eligible retirement plans into the Fairfax County Police Officers Retirement System. Certified officers get one pay step increase (5% each pay step, up to Step 6) for every two years of law enforcement experience, any military service, any college degree, and/or a foreign language proficiency. Virginia DCJS-certified law enforcement officers with 3 or more years of patrol experience may be eligible to be hired at the rank of Police Officer II.
- Police Officer pay range: $69,074.10 – $124,047.04*
- All uniforms and equipment are provided by the department
- View Fairfax County’s Employee Benefits SummaryÂ
Â
*Starting salary salary will be determined within pay grade based upon relevant preferred qualifications: college degree, prior law enforcement experience, military service, and foreign language proficiency. Lateral officers with at least 3 years of patrol experience will be hired at the rank of Police Officer II and at a higher pay step commensurate with their experience.
Click on Apply Now to learn more about the qualifications and requirements for this position.
Â
The entire hiring process can be completed in 3 to 4 months and consists of the following phases:
- Initial Application
- Personal History Questionnaire
- Polygraph
- Physical Abilities TestÂ
- Background Investigation
- Psychological Evaluation
- Medical Exam
$15,000 Hiring Incentive
Out-of-State & Federal
Lateral Officer
Officers from out-of-state and certain federal law enforcement agencies with patrol experience may be eligible for our Out-of-State Lateral Academy. This in-service style training is only eight weeks long and allows you to bring your previous law enforcement experience to Fairfax County. Lateral officers get one pay step increase (5% each pay step, up to Step 6) for every two years of law enforcement experience, any military service, any college degree, and/or foreign language proficiency.
- Police Officer pay range: $69,074.10 – $124,047.04*
- All uniforms and equipment are provided by the department
- View Fairfax County’s Employee Benefits SummaryÂ
Â
*Starting salary will be determined within pay grade based upon relevant preferred qualifications: college degree, prior law enforcement experience, military service, and foreign language proficiency. Lateral officers with at least 3 years of patrol experience will be hired at the rank of Police Officer II and at a higher pay step commensurate with their experience.
Â
Click on Apply Now to learn more about the qualifications and requirements for this position.
The entire hiring process can be completed in 3 to 4 months and consists of the following phases:
- Initial Application
- Personal History Questionnaire
- Polygraph
- Physical Abilities TestÂ
- Background Investigation
- Psychological Evaluation
- Medical Exam
$15,000 Hiring Incentive
Animal Protection
Police Officer
If you are looking for a unique and well-paying career in an animal related field Fairfax County is one of only two jurisdictions in Virginia that employ Animal Protection Police Officers. Animal Protection Police Officers are fully sworn law enforcement officers under the Code of Virginia and also carry the full authority of an Animal Control Officer. Our dedicated Animal Protection Police Officers do exactly what their title implies, and they make a difference every day. Come help us speak for those without a voice.
- Animal Protection Police Officer pay range:$62,616 – $107,095
- All uniforms and equipment are provided by the department
- View Fairfax County’s Employee Benefits SummaryÂ
*Entry-level salary will be determined within pay grade based upon relevant preferred qualifications: college degree, prior law enforcement experience, military service, and foreign language proficiency.
- Animal Protection Police Officers have the same qualifications and requirements as Entry Level Police Officers.
The entire hiring process can be completed in 3 to 4 months and consists of the following phases:
- Initial Application
- Personal History Questionnaire
- Polygraph
- Physical Abilities TestÂ
- Background Investigation
- Psychological Evaluation
- Medical Exam
Coming Soon
Pre-Academy Experience
Police Apprentice
- Police Apprentices pay range: $15.86 – $26.43 Hourly
- All uniforms and equipment are provided by the department
- View Fairfax County’s Employee Benefits Summary
- Non-Merit Benefit Eligible: scheduled to work a minimum 1,040 hours and no more than a maximum of 1,560 hours in a calendar year.
Click on Apply Now to learn more about the qualifications and requirements for this position.
The entire hiring process can be completed in 3 to 4 months and consists of the following phases:
- Initial Application
- Personal History Questionnaire
- Polygraph
- Physical Abilities TestÂ
- Background Investigation
- Psychological Evaluation
- Medical Exam
If you are interested in a police career and are between the ages of 17-½ and 20, consider becoming a Fairfax County Police Apprentice. Police Apprentices get on-the-job training while supporting mission-critical operations at patrol stations and at police headquarters. Police Apprentices can go through an expedited hiring process when they apply to become a Fairfax County Police Officer.
Other opportunities
that await you with the FCPD
The Fairfax County Police Department is committed to providing excellent opportunities for our community to get involved. Whether it’s to build a resume and leadership skills, get an inside look at our agency, explore a career in law enforcement, or give back to the community, that opportunity is here for you with the FCPD.
- Community Advisory Committee (CAC) Meetings
- Public Safety Cadet Program
- Community Police Academy
- Volunteer in Police Service (VIPS)
- Auxiliary Police Officer