Police Officer
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Smyrna, GA, United States
Summary
This position will serve as a Police Officer at the Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System VA Medical Center in Montgomery, Tuskegee, and Columbus. The Officer will perform a full range of police duties including law enforcement, physical and personal security operations, patrol duties, control desk duty, coordination with local courts, and crime prevention activities for the local jurisdiction.
Qualifications
Applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date (05/06/2026). Qualifications include:
GS‑06 Grade Level Requirement: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS‑05 federal grade), demonstrating the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for this position. Specialized experience may be gained with a police force, military police, security guard in a protected environment, criminal investigative duties, or other roles that provided the needed KSAs.
Driver's License Requirement: Valid unrestricted State driver’s license, safe driving record, and medical qualification to operate a motor vehicle safely. Applicants must pass an agency government vehicle physical examination.
Firearm Requirement: VA Police Officers must carry agency‑approved firearms while on duty on VA property and maintain qualification/certification. Applicants must possess firearms under the Gun Control Act of 1968 (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9)).
Physical Requirements: Regular physical exertion (standing, walking, driving, bending, stooping, reaching, crawling), lifting up to or over 50 pounds, agility and strength to pursue, apprehend, and detain suspects, and physical fitness to perform tasks under sudden and strenuous activity.
Medical and Psychological Examination: Good vision, hearing, color distinction, near and distant vision, and ability to communicate. Applicants must have emotional and mental stability and undergo a psychological examination. A medical condition does not automatically disqualify an applicant if it does not preclude assignment to the duties.
Character Investigation: A thorough character investigation is conducted for selected applicants to verify honesty, integrity, general character, and loyalty to the U.S. Government.
Drug‑Testing Position: Applicants selected may be required to submit to urinalysis prior to appointment. Refusal results in denied employment.
Additional Training: New officers must attend an 8‑week training course at the VA Law Enforcement Training Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. Successful completion is a condition of continued employment.
Duties
Serves as a Police Officer on VA Departmental properties, including owned, leased, and licensed locations.
Provides policing services across various jurisdictional environments and applies the correct laws and regulations.
Carries firearms and intervenes to deescalate situations, determining the appropriate level of force.
Advises individuals of their rights and protects constitutional and civil rights.
Conducts investigations, apprehensions, or detentions of individuals suspected or convicted of offenses, including transport of U.S. officials.
Investigates VA-related incidents such as prisoner transports, patient searches, life‑saving efforts, disaster response, and asset protection during transit.
Identifies and preserves evidence, writes incident reports, prepares case files, and testifies in court.
Provides patrol in vehicles, on foot, or on a bicycle.
Responds to calls for police assistance, irregularities, and suspicious circumstances.
Investigates incidents and takes steps to mitigate further risk and resolve situations.
Provides emergency response coordination as needed.
Performs drug and contraband intervention techniques and provides training on contraband identification.
Uses independent judgment where policy is unclear.
Initiates investigative contacts, exercises search and arrest authority, detains witnesses, and apprehends suspects.
Secures evidence and protects witnesses at incident scenes.
Detains witnesses and suspects, performs arrests, and carries out booking procedures.
Interviews witnesses, determines factors for arrest or lesser action.
Executes arrest warrants from federal and local courts and coordinates transport to holding facilities or courts.
Controls facility access via Entry Control Point (ECP) and Traffic Control Points (TCP) during emergency operations.
Identifies persons needing assistance or medical aid, performs on‑scene assessments, and determines required aid or emergency response.
Provides Basic Life Support (BLS) and coordinates additional emergency response when needed.
Responds to dangerous crimes in progress and makes independent decisions without supervision to preserve life and property.
Preserves crime scenes, summons additional emergency responders, communicates risks, facilitates access, and assists with evacuations.
Directs responding personnel and emergency vehicles to safe routes, establishes perimeters, and renders aid in the initial command role.
Takes appropriate action to mitigate hazardous situations.
Acts as the first line of defense during violent crimes, terror attacks, and general crimes at all classification levels.
Neutralizes threats, secures resources, and mitigates further risk to personnel and property.
Work Schedule: 12‑hour compressed shifts, including weekends and holidays.
This is not a virtual position.
Position Eligibility: NOT authorized for relocation or recruitment incentives; no critical skills incentives; not approved for PCS.
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This position will serve as a Police Officer at the Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System VA Medical Center in Montgomery, Tuskegee, and Columbus. The Officer will perform a full range of police duties including law enforcement, physical and personal security operations, patrol duties, control desk duty, coordination with local courts, and crime prevention activities for the local jurisdiction.
Qualifications
Applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date (05/06/2026). Qualifications include:
GS‑06 Grade Level Requirement: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS‑05 federal grade), demonstrating the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for this position. Specialized experience may be gained with a police force, military police, security guard in a protected environment, criminal investigative duties, or other roles that provided the needed KSAs.
Driver's License Requirement: Valid unrestricted State driver’s license, safe driving record, and medical qualification to operate a motor vehicle safely. Applicants must pass an agency government vehicle physical examination.
Firearm Requirement: VA Police Officers must carry agency‑approved firearms while on duty on VA property and maintain qualification/certification. Applicants must possess firearms under the Gun Control Act of 1968 (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9)).
Physical Requirements: Regular physical exertion (standing, walking, driving, bending, stooping, reaching, crawling), lifting up to or over 50 pounds, agility and strength to pursue, apprehend, and detain suspects, and physical fitness to perform tasks under sudden and strenuous activity.
Medical and Psychological Examination: Good vision, hearing, color distinction, near and distant vision, and ability to communicate. Applicants must have emotional and mental stability and undergo a psychological examination. A medical condition does not automatically disqualify an applicant if it does not preclude assignment to the duties.
Character Investigation: A thorough character investigation is conducted for selected applicants to verify honesty, integrity, general character, and loyalty to the U.S. Government.
Drug‑Testing Position: Applicants selected may be required to submit to urinalysis prior to appointment. Refusal results in denied employment.
Additional Training: New officers must attend an 8‑week training course at the VA Law Enforcement Training Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. Successful completion is a condition of continued employment.
Duties
Serves as a Police Officer on VA Departmental properties, including owned, leased, and licensed locations.
Provides policing services across various jurisdictional environments and applies the correct laws and regulations.
Carries firearms and intervenes to deescalate situations, determining the appropriate level of force.
Advises individuals of their rights and protects constitutional and civil rights.
Conducts investigations, apprehensions, or detentions of individuals suspected or convicted of offenses, including transport of U.S. officials.
Investigates VA-related incidents such as prisoner transports, patient searches, life‑saving efforts, disaster response, and asset protection during transit.
Identifies and preserves evidence, writes incident reports, prepares case files, and testifies in court.
Provides patrol in vehicles, on foot, or on a bicycle.
Responds to calls for police assistance, irregularities, and suspicious circumstances.
Investigates incidents and takes steps to mitigate further risk and resolve situations.
Provides emergency response coordination as needed.
Performs drug and contraband intervention techniques and provides training on contraband identification.
Uses independent judgment where policy is unclear.
Initiates investigative contacts, exercises search and arrest authority, detains witnesses, and apprehends suspects.
Secures evidence and protects witnesses at incident scenes.
Detains witnesses and suspects, performs arrests, and carries out booking procedures.
Interviews witnesses, determines factors for arrest or lesser action.
Executes arrest warrants from federal and local courts and coordinates transport to holding facilities or courts.
Controls facility access via Entry Control Point (ECP) and Traffic Control Points (TCP) during emergency operations.
Identifies persons needing assistance or medical aid, performs on‑scene assessments, and determines required aid or emergency response.
Provides Basic Life Support (BLS) and coordinates additional emergency response when needed.
Responds to dangerous crimes in progress and makes independent decisions without supervision to preserve life and property.
Preserves crime scenes, summons additional emergency responders, communicates risks, facilitates access, and assists with evacuations.
Directs responding personnel and emergency vehicles to safe routes, establishes perimeters, and renders aid in the initial command role.
Takes appropriate action to mitigate hazardous situations.
Acts as the first line of defense during violent crimes, terror attacks, and general crimes at all classification levels.
Neutralizes threats, secures resources, and mitigates further risk to personnel and property.
Work Schedule: 12‑hour compressed shifts, including weekends and holidays.
This is not a virtual position.
Position Eligibility: NOT authorized for relocation or recruitment incentives; no critical skills incentives; not approved for PCS.
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