Criminal Investigations Forensic Detective

Criminal Investigations Forensic Detective

Salary

$53,060.80 - $79,185.60 Annually

Location

Lynchburg, VA

Job Type

Full-time

Job Number

03676

Department

Police

Opening Date

09/29/2026

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

The City of Lynchburg is an Equal Opportunity Employer

The Lynchburg Police Department is currently offering a lateral transfer program for Virginia DCJS Certified Officers. This position is for a sworn Crime Scene Detective, who will be assigned to the Forensic Unit within the Criminal Investigations Division and responsible for the collection, identification, classification, packaging, preservation, transportation, and documentation of physical evidence gathered from crime scenes.

This position may require working more than 40 hours in a workweek, including nights, weekends, and holidays. Applicants must be able to work and maintain an on-call status regularly and be able to return to the City of Lynchburg limits within 45 minutes in a call-out situation.

Virginia Certified Officers will complete this application, a physical fitness examination, an oral interview with the Criminal Investigations Division, a polygraph examination, a psychological examination, a background investigation, and a medical examination prior to employment.

• $5,000 sign-on bonus.
• All Police Officers will receive 40 hours of vacation time and 40 hours of sick time upon being hired.
• 100% of Law Enforcement Officer experience credit up to 9 years of service will be used to determine salary and rank. (Jail officers, courtroom security officers, sworn security officers, and any other sworn officer who have not conducted policing similar to the responsibilities of a Lynchburg Police Officer are not eligible.)
• ·All sworn personnel are subject to reassignment to other areas of the agency based on the needs of the department or unforeseen circumstances.
• Will be required to complete the abbreviated LPD Field Training Program for certified law enforcement officers.

Years of service a Virginia Certified Officer must have before obtaining rank are:

• A minimum of 3 years to obtain POII - $53,060.80 - $55,723.20
• A minimum of 5 years to obtain POIII - $57,512.00 - $79,185.60

Essential Duties

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Other duties to provide direct or indirect service to the citizens may be assigned.

• Analyze crime scenes and gather evidence to be used in identifying, apprehending, and prosecuting people suspected of committing crimes.
• Should have a general knowledge of approved principles, practices, and procedures of police forensic work and equipment and technology relating to the forensic sciences.
• Should have a strong work ethic and knowledge of the fundamentals of crime scene identification, evidence collection, preservation, processing, and documentation of physical evidence, digital phones, video footage, computers, mobile and other electronic devices, collect latent fingerprints, photographs and sketches complex crime scenes, transports evidence to and from the crime lab, coordinates with other criminal justice professionals and relevant parties.
• Should have a thorough knowledge of the rules of evidence and laws of search and seizure.
• Must maintain confidentiality and follow proper procedures to preserve evidence and ensure the chain of custody.
• Must be able to prepare clear and concise reports and PowerPoint presentations.
• Must be able to provide credible court testimony.
• Will be required to attend in-service training and keep abreast of new techniques and best practices in the field.
• Must have enthusiasm for new tasks and a willingness to work efficiently and effectively with minimal supervision when necessary.
• Must be a team player and have a willingness to contribute to group goals and objectives.
• Must have the ability to use logic and reasoning to understand, analyze, and evaluate situations and exercise good judgment to make appropriate decisions.
• Performs special projects and other related duties as assigned.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES

• Other duties to provide direct or indirect service to the citizens may be assigned.
• When unusual situations occur and/or the City Manager declares a State of Emergency, all City employees may be required to accept special assignments and perform as needed to ensure appropriate service delivery.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Minimum Education and Experience Required

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Any combination of education and experience equivalent to completion of high school and considerable experience in police work.
• Previous forensic science training is preferred. Candidates without prior forensic training must successfully complete all required forensic science training within one year, including attendance at either the University of Tennessee National Forensic Academy or the Virginia Department of Forensic Science Forensic Science Academy.
• Ability to maintain compliance with minimum standards for Police Officers issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia.
• Must be able to provide credible court testimony.
• Must have worked in a position that is commensurate to the duties and responsibilities of a Lynchburg Police Officer.

Additional Requirements

• Possession of valid Drivers License issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia and acceptable driving record according to City Criteria
• Must have at least three years of continuous valid licensing, no DUI convictions within the last three years, and an overall pattern of safe vehicle operation and driving habits.
• Must successfully complete IS100 and IS700 National Incident Management (NIMS) training within 90 days of employment. May also be required to complete higher levels of NIMS training as determined appropriate for the position.

The City offers an array of benefits combined with direct salary/wages in order to establish a total compensation package that supports the Citys goals of attracting, rewarding, and retaining employees who are both representatives of the community and are also able to deliver exceptional services.

• Employees in full-time positions are eligible for the following benefits:
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Retirement through the Virginia Retirement System (VRS);

the City's contribution is based on a rate determined bi-annually by the VRS Board and employees pay 5% of base pay (pre-tax) towards their VRS benefit

• Life insurance at no cost to the employee

• Optional benefits such as 457 deferred compensation, Roth IRA, flexible spending accounts, etc.

• Eligibility for parental leave and tuition assistance

• Paid Time Off

• Employees in hourly and part-time positions may be eligible for benefits depending on the position

Employees of the City of Lynchburg may also be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program for federal student loans

Additional information about City benefits can be found on our website and in the Employment Policies & Procedures

01

I certify that the information provided on this application is truthful and accurate to my knowledge. I understand that any intentional omission of information and dishonestly will eliminate me from further consideration of employment with the Lynchburg Police Department.

• Yes
• No

02

Please provide the last four digits of your Social Security number for verification purposes.

03

Police Officers must be 21 years of age. Will you be 21 years of age or older by the time you complete the academy? For the January academy, that would be June 15, 2027.

• Yes
• No

04

Are you a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States eligible for naturalization?

• Yes
• No

05

Do you have a High School Diploma or GED?

• Yes
• No

06

Are you willing to sign an agreement waiving your right to use all tobacco products both on and off duty?

• Yes
• No

07

Police Officers assigned to Patrol Operations work rotating 12 hours shifts. Are you willing to work any shift assigned which could include nights, weekends and holidays?

• Yes
• No

08

Do you currently have any bills in collections? If you do please explain in detail your plan to have these bills paid in full.

09

Have you ever been convicted of a domestic assault and/or battery offense?

• Yes
• No

10

Have you ever been convicted of a misdemeanor? Please explain and provide the year this occurred.

11

Have you ever been convicted of a felony? Please explain and provide the year this occurred.

12

Are you now, or have you ever been a member of a criminal street gang, or group that furthers or promotes criminal activity? If yes please explain.

13

Have you ever purchased, manufactured, stored, sold, acted as a lookout, delivered, smuggled, sent through the mail, transported another person to illegally buy or sell drugs or unlawfully benefitted in any way from the sale of prescription or illegal drugs? If yes, please explain including dates.

14

Have you used marijuana and THC in the past 6 months? If so, when was the month of last usage?

15

In the last 4 years have you unlawfully used any of the following: PCP, Heroin, Cocaine/Crack, Methamphetamine, Ecstasy, LSD, Psilocybin (mushrooms), or Rohypnol/Other Date Rape Drug?

• Yes
• No

16

Have you ever had your drivers license suspended, revoked or refused? Please explain.

17

Have you been charged with or convicted of a DUI related offense within the last 3 years?

• Yes
• No

18

Have you had a valid drivers license continuously for at least 3 years?

• Yes
• No

19

DMV Release Notice: This position requires a valid drivers license and acceptable driving history. I hereby certify that I have read and understand the DMV Record Release Notice and give the City permission to obtain my driving record.

• Yes
• No

20

Please provide your drivers license number so that your driving record can be obtained.

21

Out of State Applicants and/or Applicants who have had a VA drivers license for less than 3 years: Do you agree to provide a copy of your driving record from the state you are currently licensed or have been licensed in when requested?

• Yes
• No
• N/A

22

If you answered yes to the above question, please provide the name of the State where your license is/was issued.

23

Have you previously applied with the City of Lynchburg Police Department? If yes when, and for what position?

24

You will be required to provide copies of your educational transcripts, birth certificate, DD 214 (if applicable) and DCJS Certification (if applicable). Please have these documents readily available to expedite the hiring process. Do you understand this requirement?

• Yes
• No

25

Have you served in the armed forces?

• Yes
• No

26

If you have served in the Armed Forces and have been discharged, was it dishonorable or for bad conduct? If so please explain in detail.

27

Have you ever been under a protective order by the court? If yes, please explain.

28

Do you have any visible tattoos on your arms, neck, hands and/or face? If yes, please give location(s) and describe the tattoo(s). (You will be required to provide a photo of these at a later date in the hiring process).

29

Have you ever been disciplined, suspended, terminated, asked to resign, or received punitive actions at a current or former place of employment? If yes, please explain.

30

Have you ever been disciplined or punished for any violation related to lying, cheating, stealing, or something else that would bring your integrity into question? If yes, please explain.

31

Primary communication during the hiring process is done through the email address lpd.training@lynchburgva.gov or allen.kittrell@lynchburgva.gov. Please check your spam/junk folders on a regular basis in addition to your inbox for communication from the Recruiting office. Do you agree to check your email?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer City of Lynchburg

Address 900 Church Street

Lynchburg, Virginia, 24504

Phone (434) 455-4200

Website https://www.lynchburgva.gov/human-resources