Qualifications

Age

The Newport News Police Departments requires applicants be at least 18 years of age.

Education

Applicants must have a high school diploma or passed a high school equivalency examination approved by the Board of Education.

Criminal Convictions

Applicants must not have been convicted or plead guilty or no contest to a felony or any offense that would be a felony if committed in the Commonwealth. Applicants must not have been convicted or plead guilty or no contest to any misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, including but not limited to petit larceny under § 18.2-96 or any offense involving moral turpitude that would be a misdemeanor if committed in the Commonwealth.

Fingerprint checks are completed. Applicants must report any contact with police authority, pending traffic violations, arrests, or receipt of any summons to appear in court, criminal or civil, in any political jurisdiction anywhere received during the application process. Furthermore, applicants must report any contact with police authority which resulted, or may have result in the completion of a police report where the applicant was a suspect, victim, or complainant.

Drug Possession/Substance Abuse 

Applicants who are current illegal drug users or who have ever illegally possessed in the past five years, any drug or controlled substance which would constitute a felony, i.e., cocaine, hallucinogenic drugs, spice, bath salts, speed, or heroin, are not considered. Applicants are not considered if they have illegally possessed or used marijuana in the past 12 months of the time of application. Applicants illegally possessing steroids in the past year, are also not eligible. Any person ever illegally selling any controlled substance is disqualified from our process.

  • As a condition of employment, dispatchers are required to refrain from any and all use of illegal drugs.
  • All persons offered employment with the city shall be required to submit to a drug test as a condition of the offer of employment. Those who test positive for illegal drugs will be denied employment. All employees are subject to random controlled substances and alcohol testing when reasonable suspicion exists that the employee is under the influence of a controlled substance or alcohol.

    • Character and Reputation

    Applicants must pass a thorough and extensive background check. Only applicants of excellent character are considered for employment. Applicants, whose past conduct could cause embarrassment to the City of Newport News or the Police Department, if such conduct were made public, are not considered.

    Tattoo Policy

    Visible tattoos, brands, or other body art on the head, face, neck, or scalp are prohibited. All visible tattoos must be approved by the Chief of Police.

    Must be willing to comply with the NNPD tattoo policy.

    Financial History of Responsibility

    A check of the applicant's consumer report through the Credit Bureau for high credit or judgments is made prior to commencing the full background investigation. The applicant's credit must indicate a financial history of responsibility. Consumer reports that may result in adverse employment action against the applicant will be brought to the attention of the applicant in written form.

    The below listed credit factors will be taken into consideration when reviewing the applicant's financial history of responsibility.

    • Bankruptcy (within last 5 years)
    • Charge off accounts
    • Civil judgments
    • Collection accounts
    • Delinquent accounts
    • Foreclosures
    • Garnishments
    • Repossessions
    • Tax liens

    Police Contact

    Report any contact with any police authority which results, or may result in completion of a police report where the applicant is a suspect, victim, witness or complainant.

    Citizenship

    Must either be U.S. citizens or have been lawful residents of the country for at least ten years.

    Disqualification

    Applicants are disqualified from further consideration for employment if they:

    • Fail to meet any of the criteria previously stated.
    • Falsify or misrepresent any responses either orally or in writing to any questions posed to them in the applications process.
    • Fail to keep scheduled appointments required as part of the application process.