Police Detective -INTERNAL ONLY

Police Detective -INTERNAL ONLY

Salary

$74,547.00 - $105,332.96 Annually

Location

135 North Union Street, Petersburg, VA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

1093

Department

Police

Opening Date

07/01/2026

Closing Date

8/1/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

General Description

The Police Detective is responsible for conducting criminal investigations, gathering and analyzing evidence, interviewing victims and witnesses, and preparing cases for prosecution. Detectives work both independently and collaboratively to solve crimes, support victims, and uphold the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia and applicable local ordinances.

This position requires the exercise of sound judgment, adherence to constitutional policing principles, and compliance with Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) standards.

Essential Functions

Duties Criminal Investigations

• Conducts thorough and objective investigations of felony and misdemeanor offenses, including crimes against persons, property, and public order.
• Collects, preserves, and analyzes physical and digital evidence in accordance with legal and evidentiary standards.
• Interviews victims, witnesses, and suspects; obtains written and recorded statements.
• Prepares affidavits, search warrants, subpoenas, and arrest warrants consistent with Virginia law and constitutional requirements.
• Coordinates with forensic units, crime labs, prosecutors, and other law enforcement agencies.
• Maintains detailed case files and prepares comprehensive investigative reports.
• Testifies in court and administrative proceedings. and Responsibilities

Case Management

• Reviews and prioritizes assigned cases.
• Conducts follow-up investigations from patrol-generated reports.
• Utilizes criminal databases and intelligence systems to identify suspects and patterns.
• Tracks and documents case progress and outcomes.

Community and Interagency Engagement

• Build relationships with community members, victims, and informants.
• Collaborates with local, state, and federal agencies.
• Participates in task forces or specialized investigative units as assigned.

Patrol Support Responsibilities

Detectives remain sworn law enforcement officers and may be required to perform patrol officer functions when operational needs dictate.

These responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Responding to emergency and non-emergency calls for service.
• Conducting preliminary investigations at crime scenes.
• Making arrests and enforcing laws and ordinances.
• Performing traffic enforcement and accident investigations.
• Assisting patrol units during critical incidents, staffing shortages, or special events.
• Serving in an on-call capacity and responding to major incidents outside normal working hours.

This requirement ensures operational readiness, departmental flexibility, and continuity of public safety services.

Documentation and Reporting

• Prepare accurate, timely, and detailed reports, including:
• Incident reports
• Investigative summaries
• Evidence logs
• Court documentation
• Maintains chain of custody for all evidence.
• Ensures all reports meet prosecutorial and legal standards.

Use of Force and Legal Compliance

• Applies force only when objectively reasonable and in accordance with department general orders and Virginia law.
• Adheres to constitutional standards, including the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Fourteenth Amendments.
• Comply with all DCJS training standards and certification requirements.
• Maintain awareness of current legal developments affecting criminal investigations.

Essential Functions:

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of criminal law, investigative techniques, and rules of evidence.
• Ability to analyze complex information and draw logical conclusions.
• Strong interviewing and interrogation skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to operate law enforcement equipment, vehicles, and technology systems.
• Skill in de-escalation, conflict resolution, and crisis intervention.

Experience (Patrol Officer):

• Minimum 2 years as a sworn Police Officer

Physical Demands:

• May be required to engage in foot pursuits requiring rapid acceleration, sprinting, directional changes, and sustained running over varying distances to apprehend suspects.
• May be required to perform physical control and restraint of resisting individuals, including the use of approved non-deadly force techniques.
• Maintains situational awareness and readiness to respond physically to evolving threats.
• Capability to operate in varied environments, including hazardous or high-risk situations.
• Ability to handle firearms and defensive equipment safely.
• Must maintain ability to rapidly transition from stationary to full-speed pursuit and change direction while maintaining balance and coordination.
• Must be able to physically engage with individuals, including:
• Grasping, holding, and restraining resisting people
• Applying control techniques and defensive tactics
• Maintaining physical control during arrest situations

Unavoidable Hazards:

• Exposure to potentially dangerous situations, including violent individuals.
• Work in varying weather conditions and environments.
• Exposure to noise, bodily fluids, hazardous materials, and traumatic events.
• Irregular hours, including nights, weekends, holidays, and on-call duty.

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

• Working knowledge or ability to develop functional knowledge of multiple computer systems and databases as used by the Bureau.
• Associate's degree in Criminal Justice (preferred) or relevant law enforcement experience may be substituted for the degree on a year-for-year basis, provided the candidate demonstrates equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Special Certifications and Licenses:

• Current Virginia DCJS Law Enforcement Officer Certification (or ability to obtain/maintain).
• Valid Virginia Driver's License.
• Additional specialized investigative training preferred

For a summary of Benefits currently being offered by the City of Petersburg for Full-Time Employees Only, please click the following link: http://www.petersburgva.gov/index.aspx?NID=518

01

10-point compensable veteran. You must have an existing compensable service-connected disability of 10 percent or more. Other 10-point veteran include disabled veteran or a veteran who was awarded the Purple Heart for wound or injuries received in action, veterans widow or widower who has not remarried, wife or husband of a veteran who has a service-connected disability, widowed, divorced or separated mother of an ex-service son or daughter who died in action, or who is totally and permanently disabled. Do any of these apply?

• Yes
• No

02

5-point veterans must have been discharged under honorable conditions and had one of the following: Active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States, in a war, or during the period 4/28/52 - 7/1/55 or active duty for more than 180 consecutive days other than for training, any part of which occurred during the period beginning 2/1/55 and 10/14/76 or active duty during the Gulf War sometime between 8/2/90 - 1/2/92 or active duty in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized or active duty for which more than 180 consecutive days other than for training, any part of which occurred during the period beginning 9/11/2001 and ending on the date prescribed by the Presidential proclamation or by the law as the last date of operation Iraqi Freedom. Do any of these apply?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you possess a valid Drivers License issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia, or another state with reciprocity?

• Yes
• No

04

What is your highest level of education?

• High School diploma or GED
• Some college
• Associate degree
• Bachelor degree
• Graduate degree or higher
• No degree

05

Are you a City of Petersburg employee?

• Yes, I am a City of Petersburg employee.
• No, I am not a City of Petersburg employee.

06

Do you possess a valid Drivers License issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia, or another state with reciprocity?

• Yes
• No

07

Are you a City of Petersburg employee (full-time or part-time/temporary)?

• Yes, I am a City of Petersburg employee.
• No, I am not a City of Petersburg employee

08

Do you have working knowledge of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and its applications?

• Yes, I do have the ability to perform the physical requirements of the position.
• No, I am unable to perform the physical requirements of the position.

09

Were you referred by US Army PaYS or Virginia Values Veterans V3? If so, please specify which program.

10

Have you previously worked for the City of Petersburg? If so, what department?

Required Question

Employer City of Petersburg

Address 135 No. Union Street

Petersburg, Virginia, 23803

Phone 8047332381

Website http://www.petersburgva.gov