The Alexandria Police Department is seeking new officers and has introduced a streamlined entry process called the New Officer Assessment. According to Sgt. Michele Garcia from the department’s Recruitment Section, the assessment aims to evaluate candidates based on communication, decision-making, and professionalism.
“From day one, you are seen, supported, and invested in as an individual. Yes, the standards are high. Yes, the work is demanding. But the goal is not to strip away who you are; it is to strengthen it,” said Garcia.
Applicants undergo three key steps: a writing prompt (waived for those with a college degree), a background questionnaire, and a brief panel interview. The writing prompt is described as “an open-ended interview question, a way for us to understand how you think, communicate, and approach real-world situations.”
Assessment sessions are scheduled at various times to accommodate different schedules: Walk-In Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday evenings at 6 p.m., and Saturday mornings at 10 a.m. Candidates can also participate virtually if they live outside the DC, Maryland, or Virginia area.
Garcia advised applicants: “Dress professionally. It signals respect and seriousness. Be present. Show up on time, bring a valid ID, and engage. Treat people well. Character shows fast in this line of work.” She added that being evaluated for public trust requires directness and fairness in the process.
The City of Alexandria functions as an independent municipal government in Northern Virginia along the Potomac River and offers public services including safety programs like police recruitment (official website). The city emphasizes equity through its policies and provides more than 175 services via its Alex311 system (official website).
“If you are looking to lead a career with purpose, if you want your work to matter and your effort to count, the Alexandria Police Department may be the right place to start,” Garcia stated.
For further details about session schedules or application procedures, interested individuals can visit joinapdva.com or contact Sgt. Garcia directly.
