Police Recruit (Testing & Employment Opportunities)

Police Recruit (Testing & Employment Opportunities)

Salary

$49,025.60 Annually

Location

Harrisonburg, VA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

5532 - (2026 Testing Opps 3)

Department

Police

Opening Date

06/29/2026

Closing Date

10/1/2026 5:00 PM Eastern

FLSA

Non-Exempt

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

City of Harrisonburg Police Recruit Testing & Employment Opportunities

The Harrisonburg Police Department has combined the testing registration and employment opportunities into one advertisement. Candidates who are not currently Certified Officers and are interested in becoming a Police Officer with the HPD must apply to this posting. Candidates will not be considered for vacant Police Officer opportunities if they do not apply to this posting.

Police Recruit Employment Opportunities

The City of Harrisonburg is currently accepting applications for non-certified individuals interested in joining HPD, which offers a rewarding career plus an excellent benefits package, including enhanced hazardous duty through the Virginia Retirement System (VRS). Find out more information in the Harrisonburg Police Officer Candidate Information Packet and be sure to come back to this page to apply.

The Police Recruit position has a preferred hiring rate of $23.57 per hour (equivalent to $49,025.60 annually). An exact salary will be dependent upon the selected candidates qualifications and experience.

Police Recruit Testing & Interview Process

The City of Harrisonburg will be offering Police Recruit testing at various times through the remainder of 2026 for the January 2027 Basic Law Enforcement Academy. Additional details, including upcoming testing dates, will be provided to applicants once their submission is reviewed by Human Resources and HPD.

Minimum Requirements for Police Recruit:

• High School Diploma or GED. College Degree or Military Experience, preferred.
• 21 years of age by completion of basic law enforcement academy.
• U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident Alien with an application for Naturalization filed and pending with Immigration Services, if DCJS-approved.
• Valid drivers license with acceptable record per City policy.
• Able to work 12-hour shifts (6am - 6pm or 6pm - 6am), including nights, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather.
• Ability to perform the physical requirements for this position.
• Must live or be willing to move within a one (1) hour drive of Harrisonburg, VA.

Registration Process:

• Registration is required for testing and can be completed online by selecting "apply" in the upper right corner of this posting on the Citys website. All registration applications must be received through the City of Harrisonburg Human Resources Departments online application system no later than 5:00pm EST on Thursday, October 1, 2026. The online application system will automatically end registration at the indicated deadline, even if applicants are in the middle of the registration process. Late registrations will not be accepted.
• There are two additional documents (the Personal History Statement and Authorization to Release Information) required for consideration. Once you submit your complete online employment application and it has been pre-screened by Human Resources for minimum qualifications, you will receive an email with the Personal History Statement and Authorization to Release Information Form along with further instructions. These documents must be received in Human Resources no later than 5:00pm EST on Monday, October 5, 2026.
• After your completed Personal History Statement and Authorization to Release Information Form have been received and reviewed by Human Resources and the HPD Professional Standards Unit, you will receive an email requesting your attendance at an upcoming testing date if you pass the screening at this step. Please monitor the email address used to apply as that will be the email address your invitation is sent.

The following provides information related to the testing processes:

Written Test

• The written test will be given at the City of Harrisonburg Police Department at 101 N. Main Street in Harrisonburg, VA 22802.
• Check-in for testing begins at 0800 hours EST.
• Please bring a valid picture ID for proper identification (Ex: Drivers License, passport, etc.).
• The testing will begin promptly at 0830 hours EST.
• It will take approximately 2 hours to complete.
• No one will be admitted to the test after the starting time.

Physical Ability Test

• The test will be given on the same day as the written test and will be held at the Harrisonburg Police Departments Harper Presgraves Training Grounds. Directions to this location will be provided on the day of testing.
• After completing the written test, candidates will proceed immediately to the physical abilities test.
• To participate in the testing, you must complete the electronic Waiver of Claim for Injury, which is supplemental question #7 on your online registration.

Interview

• Applicants who complete the written test and pass the physical abilities test may be invited to immediately interview on their testing date.
• If selected for a same-day interview, applicants are not required or expected to change attire. The same clothing worn to the written test and physical ability test is acceptable for the same-day interview.

To be eligible for an open position with the Harrisonburg Police Department, you must complete the written test and pass the physical abilities test. Upon successful completion of the testing, you will be eligible for consideration in this particular recruitment process.

Supplemental Information

The selected candidates for this position will be subject to the following screenings and must receive satisfactory results:

• DMV Driving Record Review;
• Drug Screen;
• Criminal Background Investigation, including Social Media Review & Fingerprinting;
• Credit Check;
• Personal History Statement;
• Written Examination;
• Physical Abilities Test;
• Job-Specific Physical;
• Psychological Evaluation; and
• Polygraph.

The following documents are some examples of what will be required at a later phase in the process: Social Security Card, Drivers License, Passport, Birth Certificate, Marriage/Divorce Documents, DD214, Sealed College Transcripts, and High School Diploma. These documents are not required at the time of the Personal History Statement submission. When the applicable documents are requested by the Harrisonburg Police Department, you will be expected to provide them.

If you have questions after reviewing this information, please contact the Human Resources Department at 540.432.8920 or employment@harrisonburgva.gov. Applicants who require reasonable accommodations during the application or testing process should contact Human Resources. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to participate in the recruitment process.

Veterans and minorities are encouraged to register and apply.

The City provides an excellent benefits package including health/dental/vision insurance, retirement (VRS with Enhanced Hazardous Duty Benefits & MissionSquare), life insurance, paid leave (including upfront sick leave) and 15.5 holidays.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

The City of Harrisonburg is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Full-time employees are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, including 15.5 observed holidays. More information on available benefits is listed on the Citys website.

01

What is your highest level of education?

• Less than 8th Grade
• Completed 8th Grade
• Attended High School
• High School Graduate
• GED
• Attend College
• College Graduate
• Attended Graduate School
• Masters Degree
• Graduate study beyond Masters
• Ph.D. or professional degree

02

Will you be 21 years of age by the completion of the basic law enforcement academy? Please note that this recruitment is intended to fill positions to start with the 156th Basic Law Enforcement Academy, which is anticipated to run from January 2027 until May 2027.

• Yes
• No

03

Are you a United States Citizen OR are you a Permanent Resident Alien with an application for Naturalization filed and pending with Immigration Services? Please note that this question is related to your identity and employment authorization for this particular position. If you are unsure how to respond to this question, please contact Human Resources at 540.432.8920.

• Yes
• No

04

Do you have a valid drivers license?

• Yes
• No

05

Are you available to work 12-hour shifts, including nights, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather?

• Yes
• No

06

Do you currently live or are you willing to relocate to live within a one (1) hour drive of the Harrisonburg Police Department?

• Yes
• No

07

I am an applicant for the position of police recruit with the Harrisonburg Police Department. I have been informed that as a part of the process for this position it is necessary for me to submit to a Physical Abilities Test which measures my ability to successfully perform the essential job tasks of the position for which I have applied. Tasks may include, but are not limited to, running, jumping, climbing, and crawling. The testing protocol has been explained to my satisfaction, and I am unaware of any disabilities that would prohibit my performing the required tests. By my electronic selection, I hereby waive any and all claims of liability against the City of Harrisonburg and any of its public safety agencies to include the Harrisonburg Police Department for any and all injuries and/or damage that I may suffer as a result of my performance in the Physical Abilities Test.

• Yes, I have read, understand, and agree.
• No, I have not read, do not understand, and/or do not agree.

08

I understand that photographs and/or video of me may be taken at the Police Recruit Testing. The photographs and/or videos are property of the City of Harrisonburg and may be used in publications, news releases, online, and in other communications related to the mission of the City of Harrisonburg. (Please note that your answer to this question does not affect your ability to participate in the testing process and does not affect your employment eligibility for this recruitment process.)

• I hereby grant permission to the City of Harrisonburg to use the photographs and/or videos of me as stated above.
• I do not grant permission to the City of Harrisonburg to use the photographs and/or videos of me as stated above.

09

I understand that there are two additional documents (the Personal History Statement and Authorization to Release Information) required for consideration. Further, I understand that these documents will be emailed to me after my application has been pre-screened by Human Resources for minimum qualifications.

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer City of Harrisonburg

Address 409 South Main Street

Third Floor

Harrisonburg, Virginia, 22801

Phone 540.432.8920

540.432.7796

Website https://www.harrisonburgva.gov/employment