Thanks for your interest in career opportunities with the Salem Police
Department. We provide a wide array of public protective services
consistent with the function of most police agencies in America. With
the City of Salem Virginia however, the police department goes beyond the
common descriptors of “customary and traditional” to the phenomenal, higher
levels of professional service!
As such, the Salem Police Department seeks individuals who are not only
physically and emotionally prepared to engage in this most honorable
profession, but are academically and mentally prepared to exercise good
judgment based upon rational thought.
The law enforcement profession has in times past been portrayed as a
rigorous, demanding endeavor in which brawn and physical prowess have been
the desirable features for an applicant to possess. Modern
strategies and technologies have for the most part dismissed this
perception. The police officer of this day must be analytical and
proficient with information technology. Communication skills are essential.
In short we look for people-friendly, compassionate and service-oriented
personalities.
Our motto at Salem Police is “ready to serve.” We practice this daily;
we continually center our thinking and the way we do our jobs on this
concept. Are you up to the challenge to serve? If you are, I am
looking forward to reviewing your application and possibly making you a part
of “our family.”
The Salem Police Department has stringent requirements which must be met
by every applicant to ensure the selection of only the most qualified
individual. We are committed to Equal Opportunity Employment
throughout the recruitment and selection process. To accomplish this
goal, the comprehensive selection process requires applicants to meet the
basic qualifications and to successfully complete the following:
1. City of Salem Employment Application
2. DMV and Criminal History Check
3. Police Officer Entrance Examination
4. Physical agility
5. Review Panel
6. Chief’s Interview
7. Background Investigation
8. Conditional Offer of Employment
9. Medical / Psychological Evaluation
The selection process could take up to a year from the start of the
application process, depending upon position availability
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
1. Upon appointment, you must attend and
successfully complete the basic law enforcement academy that is held at the
Cardinal Criminal Justice Academy. You must also successfully complete
a 12 week Field Training Program at the Salem Police Department.
2. You will be required to sign a contractual
agreement that you will not smoke or use any tobacco products while employed
with the Salem Police Department.
3. You will be required to sign a contractual
agreement that you will remain with the Salem Police Department for two
years after completion of field training.
4. You will serve a one year probationary
period.
Questions concerning the selection process or requirements should be
directed to the Recruitment Manager at (540) 375-3083.
BASIC EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
You can qualify to become a member of the Salem Police Department if you
meet these basic employment requirements:
1. Applicant must be a United States Citizen
2. Applicant must be at least 21 years old
3. Applicant must be in sound physical and
mental condition
4. A high moral standard is required of all
applicants and a conviction of any felony or serious misdemeanor is grounds
for disqualification
5. There is no minimum height or weight
requirement; however, the applicant’s weight must be in proportion to height
6. Applicant must possess a valid Virginia
operator’s license at the time of appointment
7. Convictions of certain driving offenses
such as driving under the influence or having minus (-) 8 driving points or
more are grounds for disqualification
8. Applicant must be a high school graduate or
possess a G.E.D.; however, the Salem Police Department places a strong
emphasis on higher education.
All questions concerning basic employment requirements should be directed to
the Recruitment Manager at the Salem Police Department at (540) 375-3083.
Where and How to Apply:
You should contact the City of Salem Human Resources, 114 North Broad
Street, Salem, Virginia 24153. Telephone: (540) 375-3060.
Applicants may also complete an on-line application at www.salemva.gov
Office hours are 9:00AM to 5:00PM, Monday through Friday.
The City of Salem is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer.
Police Officer Salary: $33,612.80, with scheduled merit increases.
Telecommunicator Salary: $30,451.20, with scheduled merit increases.
Annual educational incentive pay based upon the number of college credit
hours:
Graduate Degree
$2,000
Bachelor’s Degree
$1,500
90 credit hours
$1,100
Associate Degree or
65 credit hours
$1,000
32 credit hours
$ 500
Paid leave based on years of service.
Paid holidays.
Partial paid individual health insurance (family/dependant coverage is
available at group rates).
Fully paid retirement under Virginia Retirement System (this provides
retirement, disability and life insurance).
Paid yearly physical examination.
Uniforms and equipment furnished.
ICMA deferred compensation plan is available.
Honorable and rich is the heritage of the Salem Police Department.
With an authorized strength of 65 sworn personnel complimented by 37
civilian employees, the Department's primary mission is to protect the life,
individual liberty and property of all people within the City of Salem,
Virginia.
The roots of the Department can be traced back to 1802 when the village of
Salem was initially carved from Botetourt County. Records show that
Salem was policed by a town sergeant from the mid 1830's until 1922 when a
more formalized police force was instituted. The original location of the
police headquarters was at 19 North College Street.
Today, the facility contains 23,338 square feet reflecting an expansion of
over 11,000 square feet of additional space. The floor plan of the
building provides optimal utilization for employees with a spacious
classroom facility, state of the art E-911 center along with areas to
support the technological approaches to preventing and solving crime.
Quality appointments and equipment are positioned throughout the three story
structure to enable the delivery of high levels of service to the City, its
residents and daily visitors.
With the passage of a century of professional service, three officers have
provided the ultimate measure of sacrifice. They stand today as
symbols of courage and honor to the men and women who are READY TO SERVE!
Our motto succinctly states, “ready to serve” and truly we are with an
authorized strength of 65 sworn and 37 civilian support positions. The
Salem Police Department is organized into four operational divisions through
which all types of police responsibilities are fulfilled. The agency
is headquartered in a newly constructed 23,338 square foot facility equipped
with the latest technologies and appointments.
The Patrol Division is the most visible component of the department and is
responsible for responding to calls for service, preliminary criminal
investigation, warrant service and other tasks. Patrol officers are
uniformed, fully equipped to meet varied challenges and are assigned to
geographic districts which cover the entire 14.4 square mile area of the
City of Salem.
Criminal investigative responsibilities are assigned to the Detective
Division. Detectives receive specialized, advanced training in
performing interviews, search and seizure laws and forensic applications.
They also spend many hours in courts of law to provide vital testimony
pertinent to criminal prosecutions.The largest component of the Salem Police
Department is the Services Division which provides support to all other
units within the agency as well as fulfilling the role of central supplier
of equipment and resources. Under its operational umbrella are units such
as forensics, traffic, school resource officer program and school crossing
guards to name a few. The major focus of police officers assigned to the
city schools is the implementation of the nationally famous Drug Abuse
Resistance Education (DARE) program.
The Communications Division is responsible for staffing the E-911 call
center and other information technology positions. Receiving and
processing over 36,000 calls annually for assistance and police services,
this component ensures that first responders are quickly activated and
supplied with adequate information to perform their tasks. The
position of “Telecommunicator” is an evolvement from the days of the police
operator or dispatcher. These non-sworn employees are many times the
first “links of aid” for many persons in an emergency situation.
As a practitioner within the profession of law enforcement, you are sure to
find your “niche” with the Salem Police Department.
As you begin your career with Salem Police you will be under the
supervision of seasoned professionals who will act as mentors and counselors
to help you aspire to and fulfill your goals. There are many
specializations and functions to choose from. It is our belief that
every individual possesses gifts and talents that lend themselves well to
professional accomplishment and personal satisfaction. We want to help
you find them and ACHIEVE!
Upon completion of entry level and field training you will have developed a
fairly comprehensive perception of the skill areas that interest you.
Evidence technician, criminal investigator, or emergency response team
member are several specializations to name a few. You decide!
After three years of employment you will be eligible to participate in
testing for promotional opportunities which generally lead to positions such
as police sergeant and lieutenant. These are the supervisory and
management levels of the Salem Police Department in which experience,
training and leadership ability are tempered together to provide the
employee with the ultimate in professional accomplishment and personal
satisfaction.
