 |
 |
 |
| Join the ambitious women officers serving the community in Norfolk! |
| What does it take to be a Norfolk Police Officer? |
 |
- Integrity
- Leadership
- Determination
- Interpersonal skills
- Ability to work with all types of people
- Problem solving skills
- Capacity to de-escalate potentially violent situations
- Motivation to assist people in crisis
|
 |
The Norfolk Police Academy will teach you what you need to know:
| |
- Crime Scene Procedures
- Firearms Training
- Rules of Evidence
- Criminal Codes
- Constitutional Law
- Tactical Building Searches
|
- Traffic Control
- Water Safety
- Vehicle Stops
- Emergency Vehicle Operation
|
- Courtroom Testimony
- Accident Investigations
- Community Policing
- Report Writing
- Constitutional Law
|
- Defensive Tactics
- Crisis Intervention
- Narcotics Interdiction
- CPR
- Active Threat Response
|
What does a career with the Norfolk Police Department offer you?
- Financial Incentives (Holiday, Court and Overtime Pay)
- A retirement plan
- Job security
- Superior training
- The chance to serve your country without leaving town
|
- The opportunity to continue your college education for free
- Optional health care for you and your family
- Variety in daily activities, skills and assignments
- Equal opportunities for advancement
|
"[Women] bring special talents into the workforce - sensitivity, astute planning, determination, commitment, tenacity,
integrity, loyalty, etc."
Assistant Chief Sharon Chamberlin, 33 years policing experience, 2 children, Doctorate in
Higher Education Administration & Leadership
Women police officers help departments in community policing and improving the public image. Why? Women tend to better use
their interpersonal skills, show more empathy, are less cynical of citizens, and typically do not have something to “prove” in their
interactions with the public. National Center for Women & Policing
“Police work allows women the opportunity to gain experience and growth in a variety of assignments/fields while being committed to one career, that they would
normally not be exposed to or have readily available to them in the private sector.”
Lieutenant Keitha Boone, 25 years policing experience, 2 children, Bachelor’s degree in Sociology/PED
“It is personally self-fulfilling to be active and have an impact on society for a better/safer place in which to live. There are opportunities for upward mobility within the department. There is
a wide variety of positions available for various talents.”
Lieutenant Marion Miles, 19 years policing experience, Bachelor's degree in Business Administration
Physical strength does not predict policing effectiveness or the ability to handle dangerous situations. To date, there have been no
documented cases of negative outcomes due to lack of strength or aggression shown by a female officer. Women officers receive fewer
excessive force complaints and do well at maintaining their composure during situations of conflict. National Center for Women & Policing
“Female officers today aren’t big burly she-men. We do our job well by training and using common sense. We can be female officers and still care about our appearance and be physically fit.”
Investigator Donna Guertler (left), 22 years policing experience, 3 children, college student
“Law enforcement work is different every day and is determined by the amount of effort put forward. Where else can a woman work in a self-directed, self-motivated career and be paid the exact same as her male counterpart?”
Officer Danielle Avery, 18 years policing experience, 3 children, college student
“My career as a police officer is nothing less than rewarding! I have the privilege of impacting the lives of others. The needs within the community are my responsibility. It is not only an honor, but my duty.”
Investigator Aprell Copeland, 4 years policing experience, Bachelor's degree in Biology
Frequently Asked Questions
| Q: How can I prepare for the Norfolk Police Department’s physical abilities test? |
- The physical agility test measures arm endurance, arm strength, leg endurance, the number of sit-ups in one minute, and overall fitness
with a 1.5 mile run. Most applicants have difficulty with the run, which must be completed within 14 minutes and
55 seconds. Some things to remember when training for the run:
- Focus on breathing through your nose. This increases the amount of oxygen in your blood and helps regulate your breathing.
- You must have proper running shoes; running in cross-training shoes, basketball shoes, or any shoe other than running shoes can lead to discomfort and injury.
- Eat a light meal at least one hour prior to the start of your run. Select foods that are easily digested (e.g. breads, cereals, or fruits).
- Drink sufficient water to make up for what is lost sweating. You must re-hydrate yourself properly. Drink water or fruit juice soon after a run and throughout
the day. If you are running in hot or humid conditions, drink before and maybe during a run. Dehydration lessens your ability to cope with the heat and
interferes with your recovery, lessening the effects of training.
- Beginners should start with a walk/run program for 20-30 minutes four to five times a week--alternate walking for 4 minutes and running for 2 minutes. Do
the routine for about a week, then start adding one minute of running and subtracting one minute of walking. Keep increasing the number of consecutive
minutes you run until you can run the entire 1.5 miles. Do not wait until the day of the test to try running 1.5 miles.
|
| Q: What is the FTI Program? |
- When a Police Recruit graduates from the Norfolk Police Academy, she is sworn in as a certified
law enforcement officer. However, her training does not end there. In order for a new officer to get the most comprehensive training
possible, she is assigned with a veteran officer, known as a Field Training Instructor or FTI. FTIs are trained in methods for
teaching new officers how to be successful on the street. Each new officer spends a minimum of three months with their FTI. An FTI
will keep records of the new officer’s progress, and determine when the officer is ready to handle patrol on their own.
|
| Q: Does the Norfolk Police Department have maternity leave or provide for child care? |
- Women officers can use sick leave for maternity purposes.
Employees may also request up to 12 weeks of leave annually as allowed under the federal Family Medical Leave Act. An
optional Dependent Care Reimbursement Account is available for employees which allows parents to set aside child care
money from each paycheck before taxes are taken out.
|
| Q: Are women strong enough to be effective police officers? |
- According to the National Center for Women & Policing, physical
strength does not predict policing effectiveness or the ability to handle dangerous situations. There are no documented
cases of negative outcomes due to lack of strength or aggression shown by a female officer.
|
|
