Lateral / certified officer · Posted Sep 13, 2026
Police Officer (Certified Lateral)
Pay
$62,354 to $93,357$62,354.00 - $93,357.00 Annually
Closes
Oct 11, 2026Closes in 10 days
Bonus
$10,000successfully completes their one-year probationary period
Laterals
Out-of-state OKOut of state applicants welcomed and encouraged to apply! (May be required to attend an abbreviated Academy.)
In the posting's words
The sentences our figures come from.$10,000 to each new hire who successfully completes their one-year probationary periodsuccessfully completes their one-year probationary periodGraduation from high school and one to two years of experience in law enforcement work, or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.No Recruit Academy - Modified post Academy and Field Training for the City of Suffolk insteadMust be a Certified Virginia police officer or able to gain reciprocity.Out of state applicants welcomed and encouraged to apply! (May be required to attend an abbreviated Academy.)Out of state applicants welcomed and encouraged to apply! (May be required to attend an abbreviated Academy.)one to two years of experience in law enforcement workHaving any visible tattoos, brands, piercings, intentional scarifications (intentional scarifications are those that did not occur accidentally/naturally) or other body modifications anywhere on the face, head, front half of the neck in front of the ears (50% of the neck behind the ears). Offensive tattoos are prohibited. (Full tattoo sleeves ARE allowed) Full sleeve tattoos, including the hands, are allowed, but tattoos or body art displaying the following are prohibited: racism, sexism, or sexually suggestive or explicit, obscenity or profane, gang or drug related, or undermining City or Department values.The posting
From GovernmentJobs.com · read Oct 1, 2026 · original*** SIGNING BONUS*** *** SIGNING BONUS*** *** SIGNING BONUS***
$10,000 to each new hire who successfully completes their one-year probationary period
.
40 Hours of Recognition Leave
The City of Suffolk is looking for some excellent Certified Police Officers to transfer to our growing police force! As an already certified police officer, you will receive the following:
Minimum credit of 50% of your current years of service for salary determination purposes
Only 1 year with our department to be eligible to apply for Specialty units.
No Recruit Academy - Modified post Academy and Field Training for the City of Suffolk instead
Excellent promotional opportunities
Out of state applicants welcomed and encouraged to apply! (May be required to attend an abbreviated Academy.)
Learn more about our Police Department here:
http://www.suffolkva.us/288/Police
Under general supervision performs general and specialized law enforcement work for the City Police Department. Work involves protecting lives, property, and rights of the public; investigating criminal activity; serving criminal process papers; and assisting in community functions. Employee is also responsible for preparing files, reports and records and testifying in court. Employee must exercise tact and firmness in frequent public contact. Employee is expected to exercise independent judgment and initiative in performing assigned tasks. The employee is subject to the usual hazards of law enforcement work. Job functions may vary based on area of assignment within the Police Department.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.
Patrols an assigned area of the City using a police vehicle to detect and deter criminal activities; monitors radio calls; inspects troublesome areas and checks security of business establishments; answers complaint calls and investigates crimes and disturbances; interviews witnesses; gathers evidence and transports to the lab; interrogates suspects and makes arrests; prepares investigation reports.
Serves legal papers such as summons and warrants and civil process papers; explains briefly the meaning of the papers served and makes arrests when necessary.
Prepares various reports and forms such as case files, offense reports, accident reports, tow sheets and cards, property vouchers, lab requests, etc.
Receives and handles citizen complaints and inquiries.
Transports prisoners and mental patients as required; serves mental papers.
Investigates accidents; performs first aid; secures and clears accident scenes; directs traffic; investigates fatalities of accidents.
Investigates misdemeanor and felony crimes; conducts building checks; reports traffic hazards.
Processes minor crime scenes including collecting, packaging, and vouchering evidence, photographing, and sketching; prepares felony case reports.
Monitors vehicle speeds with radar; conducts criminal and driving checks; issues summons for violations; operates breathalyzer machine.
Conducts surveillance using relevant techniques.
Assists State and Federal agencies in conducting various investigations; prepares affidavits and search warrants; testifies in court.
Teaches programs based on topic areas of assigned units; prepares visual aids, lesson plans, handouts, etc.; participates in extracurricular activities; builds a rapport with program participants to accomplish program intent.
Performs duties relating to the recruitment of new officers; coordinates and participates in training sessions; administers physical agility tests; coordinates appointments for oral review board, polygraph and employment physicals; conducts background checks.
Answers confidential "crime line" public access phone for reporting crime and other information; provides reports to crime stoppers international; maintains records of calls received and numbers calls; meets with Board on approval of the "crime line".
Acts as media contact; provides interviews and materials to the media; attends major media functions.
Orders and issues uniforms and equipment for departmental personnel.
Processing arrest information; notes warrant has been executed; updates communications division files.
Retrieves warrants from magistrate's office and the courts; assigns warrant number; logs warrants in warrant book; prepares card for communications division files; files warrants; purges felony and misdemeanor warrants as required by law; executes state and local criminal warrants.
Coordinates policing efforts with civic leagues and community groups; attends civic league and PTA meetings; participates in community functions; acts as liaison between schools and Police Department.
Monitors interior and exterior of school buildings; develops a rapport between police and students to deter crime in schools.
Prepares brochures and other documents to promote the Police Department.
Counsels teachers, students, parents, etc.; maintains security during school events.
Teaches boating safety and conducts marine patrol.
May provide security services for all city owned facilities; council meetings/work sessions; city functions; and escort services for city personnel.
May organize and conducts security assessment drills.
May develop, implement and maintain physical security systems for city owned facilities as directed.
May maintain security access database and assists with issuance of new security cards.
May provide miscellaneous administrative and support assistance to the Police Department as directed.
About Suffolk PD
Full department page- Starting pay$55,304
- Top of scale$93,357
- Sworn officers (2025)191
- Open jobs2
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