How to become a police officer in Virginia
In Virginia, police officers are hired by city police departments and county sheriff's offices. The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) sets the statewide standards; the credential is Law Enforcement Officer certification. At the Virginia Beach Police Department, new hires start at $61,734 a year, rising to $109,512. You must be at least 18.
Pay at the Virginia Beach Police Department
Each city and county sets its own pay. This is the official scale of the Virginia Beach Police Department, the largest city's agency.
| Starting salary | $61,734 |
|---|---|
| Top of scale | $109,512 |
| Scale effective | 2026-07-01 |
VBPD salary page (information as of July 1, 2026): recruits are paid $58,300 during the 26-week police academy and progress to $61,734 upon graduation. Career progression from Police Officer I through Master Police Officer II (four steps) reaches up to $109,512. Annual raises set by City Council in the budget. Certified lateral hires start at $61,734-$104,312 based on experience.
Source:[joinvbpd.com]
Pay for this work across Virginia
Federal survey figures for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Virginia, counting every employer in the state, public and private, so they differ from any one agency's pay scale above.
| People in this work | 19,970 |
|---|---|
| Lower pay (10th percentile) | $50,000 |
| Median pay | $65,870 |
| Higher pay (90th percentile) | $96,820 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state estimates (all employers)[bls.gov]
Requirements
- Minimum age: 18
- Education: High school education or a high school equivalency examination approved by the Board of Education
- Citizenship: U.S. citizen
- Background investigation including fingerprint-based criminal history checks with the Central Criminal Records Exchange and the FBI
- Valid driver's license if the duties require operating a motor vehicle
- Physical examination supervised by a licensed physician after a conditional offer of employment
- No felony conviction or guilty/no contest plea (or offense that would be a felony in Virginia)
- For officers starting on/after July 1, 2013: no conviction of a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude (e.g. petit larceny), a misdemeanor sex offense, or domestic assault
- No unexplained positive pre-employment drug screen (if the agency requires one)
- Agency may require a psychological examination after a conditional offer
- Hiring agency must obtain prior law-enforcement employers' records before employment
- DCJS may waive qualifications for good cause on request of the chief or sheriff
- Must complete compulsory minimum training standards, field training, and the certification exam within 12 months of hire
Source:[law.lis.virginia.gov]
Hiring process
- Application to a city/county police department or sheriff's office
- Background investigation with fingerprint-based criminal history checks
- Conditional offer of employment
- Physical examination (and psychological exam / drug screen if the agency requires)
- Basic law-enforcement training at a certified criminal justice training academy (minimum 480 hours)
- Law enforcement certification exam
- Field training (minimum 100 hours)
- Certification, all within 12 months of hire
Source:[law.lis.virginia.gov]
Entrance exam
DCJS law enforcement certification exam. Under 6VAC20-20-70, officers become eligible for the certification exam after documented compliance with the academy training standards. DCJS will not grant a time extension for failing the certification examination (6VAC20-20-40).[law.lis.virginia.gov]
Required training
480 hours minimum. 6VAC20-20-21: basic training at a certified criminal justice training academy with a minimum of 480 hours in professionalism, legal, communication, patrol, investigations, defensive tactics and use of force, weapons, and driver training, plus a minimum of 100 hours of field training. Must be completed within 12 months of hire. Academy length varies by academy (e.g. Virginia Beach PD runs a 26-week academy).[law.lis.virginia.gov]
Pension and retirement
- Plan: Virginia Retirement System (VRS), political subdivision hazardous duty (enhanced) benefits
- Benefit formula: Where the city/county elects enhanced benefits (Va. Code 51.1-138 B): creditable service x 1.85% of average final compensation (State Police Officers' Retirement System-equivalent, Va. Code 51.1-206), or 1.70% if the employer elects that option
- When you can retire: Unreduced retirement at age 60 with at least 5 years of service, or at age 50 with at least 25 years; reduced (early) retirement at age 50 with at least 5 years
Source:[varetire.org]