More Than a Badge—By Design
By APD Sgt. Michele Garcia, Recruitment Section
You might expect to be reduced to a badge number or lost in a system, but that is not what happens here at the Alexandria Police Department.
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.
We want you to show up as yourself, treat people with respect, and lead with integrity. That is not branding language; it is the baseline for this profession.
Because policing, at its core, is about people. We take pride in serving our community, and that pride starts with valuing the people who choose to serve it.
A Modernized Process With the Same High Standards
Like most professions, law enforcement has to evolve, how we recruit, how we assess, and how we meet people where they are, without compromising expectations. That is exactly what we have done.
Careers evolve. Expectations evolve. Our hiring process has evolved too, without lowering the bar.
The New Officer Assessment is a streamlined, structured entry point designed to evaluate what actually matters on the job: communication, decision-making, and professionalism.
What the New Officer Assessment Includes
There are three key elements:
A writing prompt
A background questionnaire
A brief panel interview
That is it. No memorization. No trick questions. No test.
This is intentional. Our assessment methods are designed to better evaluate skills that directly relate to the job, including communication, critical thinking, and how someone treats others under pressure. Those are the qualities that matter most in this career, and this process is built to evaluate them.
If you already have a college degree, the writing prompt is waived, and you move directly to the next step.
The writing prompt itself is not an exam. Think of it as an open-ended interview question, a way for us to understand how you think, communicate, and approach real-world situations.
Assessment Sessions SCHEDULED AROUND REAL LIFE
New Officer Assessments are offered at multiple times to fit your schedule:
- Walk-In Wednesdays (9 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
- Tuesday Evening Sessions (6 p.m.)
- Saturday Morning Sessions (10 a.m.)
All sessions start on the hour. You should plan to arrive early to ensure check-in and processing can be completed before the assessment begins.
You choose the session that works best for you, including weekday, evening and weekend options. (Click here to see our schedule for January)
Coming from outside the DC, Maryland, or Virginia area? You can begin the assessment online during one of our virtual dates.
As you move through the hiring process, we also work to consolidate in-person visits. We respect your time and recognize that many candidates are balancing jobs, school, or other commitments.
One Thing Still Matters—A Lot
No matter how modern the process becomes, some things do not change.
If I were giving my own kids advice before walking in, it would be this:
- 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.
Or, as grandma would put it: first impressions matter.
You are not just filling a position here. You are being evaluated for a role that carries public trust. The process reflects that. Direct, fair, and built with intention.
If You Are Looking for Purpose
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.
Live your purpose. Serve your community. You belong here.
Come see why.