APPLICATION PROCESS
WINCHESTER POLICE DEPARTMENT
POLICE OFFICER APPLICANT INFORMATION
The Winchester Police Department would like to thank you for your interest in becoming a member of our department. The Winchester Police Department wants to see you succeed in your goal of being selected as a member of our department. The hiring process is your first hurdle in reaching your goal of becoming a Winchester Police Officer. Below are the steps in the hiring process that an applicant must complete to be considered for employment with the Winchester Police Department.
The entire application process may take several months to finalize. As you complete each phase, you will receive notification advising you of your status and the requirements of the next process. If you have any question concerning these procedures, contact our administrative office for assistance.
STEP ONE - APPLICATION FORM
You will have to complete a City of Winchester application form. Once the completed application has been received and an application deadline has been established, the Administration office will mail you further instructions. Applications may be rejected if it is not entirely filled out, regardless of your qualifications. You may supplement your application with a formal resume; however supplying a resume does not exclude you from submitting a completed application form.
STEP TWO -SUPPLEMENTAL APPLICATION
The next phase of the application process is submitting a completed Supplemental application. The supplemental application is available on this website under the Requirements tab in the Recruitment section on the website. You may also pick up a supplemental application at the Police Administration Office located in the Timbrook Public Safety Building at 231 East Piccadilly Street, Winchester, VA 22601.
Once all of the supplemental applications have been received, you will be contacted if you have been selected to participate in the written exam and the physical fitness assessment.
If you are chosen to participate in the written and physical assessments, the police applicant will arrive at the Timbrook Public Safety Center on their scheduled testing date and be on time. Please be dressed in weather appropriate running/jogging attire because after you complete the written test you will be invited to participate in the Physical Agility Test.
STEP THREE -WRITTEN EXAM
The written examination for Police Officer is designed to measure the knowledge, ability, and aptitude that an individual must possess to be successful in the job. The written examination is utilized to determine an applicant’s eligibility to continue in the selection process.
Blood Pressure Check
Your blood pressure will be taken to ascertain if you are physically able to perform and handle taking the Physical agility test.
STEP FOUR - PHYSICAL FITNESS ASSESSMENT
After completing the written examination, you will be required to have your blood pressure taken to ascertain if you are physically able to perform and handle taking the Physical Fitness Assessment. This test will take place immediately after the written test.
The requirements for the physical fitness assessment are as follows:1. Vertical jump
2. 1 repetition bench press
3. Number of sit-ups performed in 1 minute
4. 300 meter run
5. Number of push-ups completed in 1 minute
6. 1.5 mile run
The minimum acceptable passing level for each test is:
1.Vertical jump – 14 inches
2. 1 repetition bench press – 71% of the participant’s body weight
3. Number of sit-ups performed in 1 minute – minimum of 25
4. 300 meter run – completed in a minimum of 75 seconds
5. Number of push-ups completed in 1 minute – minimum of 19
6. 1.5 mile run – completed in 16:55 minutes
After completion of both tests, an eligibility list will be established. The top candidates will be then move on to step five in the hiring process.
STEP FIVE - ORAL INTERVIEW
Applicants who have successfully passed the evaluation process of the polygraph will be scheduled for an oral interview, an interview date and time will be scheduled depending on availability of personnel.
The oral interview panel typically consists of two or more individuals from with the Police Department and up to two civilians from City Administration. The panel will ask each applicant a set of questions are based on job-related knowledge, skills, abilities, and characteristics.
STEP SIX - POLYGRAPH
After the oral interview a list will be prepared of those applicants that will move onto the polygraph phase.
The applicant will be contacted by a Polygraph Examiner to arrange a date and time for the polygraph. After the polygraph the results will be evaluated and a decision will be made if the applicant will continue to the next step in the process.
STEP SEVEN - BACKGROUND
This process can take up to a minimum of four weeks and longer depending on the number of applicants.
The background investigation consists of going over your applications and questionnaire to ensure honesty and accuracy. It is important for an applicant to be honest in completing each document. Any attempt to hide or falsely make any statements on the documents may result in being disqualified from the process.
Employer and Social references are contacted and questioned on your qualifications. (It is important that all phone numbers and addresses are up-to-date on your applications. Failure to have up-to-date information may result in a delayed response or being disqualified from the process.)
Friends, family, and neighbors are contacted and questioned on your qualifications
Criminal History, Driver’s License History, Credit History, Military History, High School/GED certification, Police Certification, College Certification are all examined for authenticity.
After the background is complete a report will be submitted to the Deputy Chief. The file will then be forwarded to the Chief of Police.
The Chief of Police will then review the information that has been provided and make a recommendation to hire or not to hire and forward the file to the City Administration department for review.
Conditional Job Offer - Applicants who were recommended for hire will then be scheduled to complete a psychological and medical physical. If the psychological and physical are not completed satisfactorily the job offer will be voided.
STEP EIGHT - PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION
Applicants will be required to undergo a psychological evaluation.
STEP NINE - MEDICAL EXAMINIATION / DRUG SCREENING
The applicant will have to submit to a medical examination and a drug screening. The applicant will also be required to pass a color blind and a vision test.
STEP TEN - HIRE OF POLICE OFFICER
After all of the aforementioned requirements have been met, the Personnel Director will forward the recommendation to the City Manager. Once the City Manager approves the recommendation and the Deputy Chief contacts the applicant to inform them of their status.
An applicant can be terminated during any stage of this process.
