Police Sergeant

POLICE SERGEANT

GENERAL INFORMATION :

Participation in the selection process is voluntary. Whenever a selection or promotion process occurs during an employees regular work hours the commander is to excuse the employee for the amount of time necessary to participate and the employee is not to be charged leave. Whenever a selection or promotion process occurs outside the employees regular work hours the commander is to adjust the employees work schedule or schedule a payback day or time off to allow for the employee to be in an on-duty status while they participate. There are currently four (4) vacancies for the position of Police Sergeant per the department strength report dated November 1 2025.

PROMOTIONAL PROCESS :

ASSESSMENT :

Each candidate will be evaluated by a panel of independent assessors through an exercise designed to assess Knowledge Skills Abilities and Other Characteristics (KSAOs) important to the job of a Sergeant. The assessment will consist of the following :

• Virtual Orientation This orientation will provide candidates with an overview of all elements of the Police Sergeant Assessment process and will conclude with a question-and-answer period. Candidates will be notified of the specific time and date of the orientation.
• Written Examination Candidates will be required to complete a written exam of 100 test questions within a specified amount of time. The results of this process will constitute 30% of the candidates final score. Candidates will be notified of the specific times date and location(s) of the written examination. Advancement to the Assessment Center requires a minimum score of 65% on this examination.
• Assessment Center The assessment process is designed to evaluate candidates on the Knowledge Skills Abilities and Other Characteristics (KSAOs) important to the job of Sergeant. The results of this process will constitute 70% of the candidates final score. Candidates will be notified of the specific times date and locations for the assessment process.

REFERENCE SOURCES :

For the promotional process for the rank of Sergeant candidates are expected to possess an understanding of the following material :

• Alexandria Police Department Police Directives
• Alexandria Police Departments Incident Command System (ICS)
• Chapter 6 (Human Resources) of the Citys Administrative Regulations
• The Code of Virginia
• Alexandria City Code
• Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City of Alexandria and the SSPBA effective July 1 2023 June 30 2026
• United States Constitution

Fourth Amendment

• Fifth Amendment
• Case Laws

Miranda v. Arizona (Miranda Warning)

• Terry v Ohio (Stop & Frisk)
• Tennessee v. Garner (Deadly Force & Fleeing Subject)
• Graham v. Conner (UOF 3-Prong Test)

Articles

BOLO Project Bulletin #6 : Procedural Justice Bradley M. Holihen K. & Moe C. (2015). BOLO project bulletin #6 : Procedural justice . Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. Tips : A Guide to Reducing Crime and Disorder Through Problem-Solving Partnerships; Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. (2011). Problem-solving tips : A guide to reducing crime and disorder through problem-solving partnerships . U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. desiring to participate in the Sergeants promotional process are encouraged to start studying immediately. You do not need to wait for the orientation session to begin your preparation.

PROMOTIONAL PROCESS SCHEDULE UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS AND COORDINATING INSTRUCTIONS :

Virtual Orientation : Orientation will be held on Wednesday January 14 2026 from 1 : 00 p.m. to 2 : 00 p.m . Candidates will receive an email from the contractor with the session link. Candidates are required to remain on camera for the session unless directed otherwise by the contractor.

Any candidate unable to attend the orientation session due to a scheduling conflict is required to notify Assistant Chief Laguna via email beforehand. A recording of the session will be made available to those excused by Assistant Chief Laguna.

Please note that individuals viewing the recorded session will not have access to the live Q&A with the contractor. Questions should be sent via email to Assistant Chief Laguna who will contact the contractor. Please be aware that there will be a delay in receiving a response. However a response may be sent within five (5) business days.

Written Examination : The test questions will be administered in January 2026; date and location to be determined . Test duration is two (2) hours. Advancement to the Assessment Center requires a minimum score of 65% on this examination.

The dress for this portion of the process is appropriate business attire or the official Alexandria Police Department uniform including long sleeve grey shirt and tie but no blouse. For those opting to wear their uniform once inside the staging area of the testing venue you will remove your name tag and any who are not properly attired will not be admitted and will be excluded from further participation in this process.

NOTE : Late candidates will only be admitted with authorization from Assistant Chief Laguna. There will be no makeup days or rescheduling without prior authorization from Assistant Chief Laguna.

Written Examination Appeals Process : Candidates can participate in an appeals process for the written exam. The appeals process will be held on the same day as the written exam. Appeals of the written exam questions must be made upon completion of the written exam and before leaving the testing site. All decisions regarding adjudicating appealed test questions are final and not subject to further appeals or grievances.

Assessment Center : The multi element exercises will be administered in February 2026 ; Individual dates and times will be communicated at a later date and will be determined by candidate eligibility.

The dress for this portion of the process is appropriate business attire or the official Alexandria Police Department uniform including long sleeve grey shirt and tie but no blouse. For those opting to wear their uniform once inside the staging area of the testing venue you will remove your name tag and any who are not properly attired will not be admitted and will be excluded from further participation in this process.

NOTE : Late candidates will only be admitted with authorization from Assistant Chief Laguna. There will be no makeup days or rescheduling without prior authorization from Assistant Chief Laguna.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES : Candidates must complete and submit the City of Alexandria Human Resources Application for Employment for the position of Police Sergeant online through the City of Alexandria NEOGOV system by close of business (1700 hours) on (FRIDAY January 2 2026). Applications will not be accepted after this time and date.

ELIGIBILITY LIST AND SELECTION PROCEDURES :

Based on the results of this promotional process a preliminary ranked list will be made available to all candidates. A final ranked list will then be published department wide.

The Police Chief or designee(s) will review the top three candidates on the final ranked list. This review will include an evaluation of disciplinary history performance evaluations and a final interview to assess readiness for promotion. The Chief will make the final selection for promotion based on these criteria.

A Human Resources Officer will be present in each rule of three and the SSPBA President will be enabled to proctor the process.

This promotional process for Sergeant is effective upon approval and will expire July 16 2026.

Minimum & Additional Requirements

Minimum Qualifications :

High School Diploma or GED; and five years continuous service as a sworn Police Officer with the Alexandria Police Department and have successfully completed their most recent probationary period.

Candidates for promotion to sergeant must have been employed by the Alexandria Police Department as an officer for a minimum of five years between the date of hire and the date of the announcement closure.

Notes

Individuals who engage in fraudulent or deceptive conduct to gain admission to or during any part of a promotional process will be disqualified. This prohibition also applies to anyone who solicits encourages directs assists or aids another person in committing such conduct. Any employee who violates these standards may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.

For more information contact Assistant Chief Tina Laguna at or Acting HR Division Chief Valerie Correa at

The City of Alexandria is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workforce. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard torace color religion national origin sex age marital status personal appearance sexual orientation gender identity or expression family responsibilities matriculation political affiliation genetic information military status or disability.

Key Skills

guarding,Ieadership skills,Supervising,Incident Management,Computer Operation,Military Experience,Law Enforcement,Conflict Management,Qualitative Research Interviewing,Training & Development,Supervising Experience,Scene Management

Employment Type : Full-Time

Experience : years

Vacancy : 1

Yearly Salary Salary : 72305 - 129442