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Advancement and Promotions
Advancement within the City of Hampton Police Division can occur in one of three ways:
- Career Officer Program
- Promotion
- Previously Certified Officers
After completion of the sixteen-week Police Academy training, Division orientation, and Field training the officer is assigned to a designated shift and will remain in a probationary status for a minimum of one year.
Once released from the probationary period officers are eligible for numerous training opportunities. To include a wide variety of schools to enhance career development.
Career Officer Program
The Career Officer Program is an assignment to a position carrying greater responsibility or expertise, and a pay increase, without a change in pay grade. This would be an upgrade to Senior Police Officer (3% increase) then Master Police Officer (additional 5% increase).
Eligibility for Senior Police Officer includes a 3% increase in pay and is based on at least an overall rating of "achieved" on annual performance evaluation. SPO elects must participate in at least one community event, be qualified in at least one specialty, such as K-9, Field Training Instructor, Defensive Tactics Instructor, General Instructor etc., and must also be qualified in two competencies such as Basic Crime Scene Investigator, Bike Certification, Fatal Accident Investigator etc.
Eligibility for Master Police Officer is a 5% increase in pay and is given after at least three years of consecutive service as a Senior Police Officer. MPO elects must have received at least a "surpassed expectations" on their latest annual performance evaluation, and participated in at least two community events. They must also have a minimum of 3 specialties such as K-9, Field Training Instructor, Firearms Instructor, Marine Patrol, or School Recourse Officer etc., and have at least three competencies such as radar certification, Dive Team, MRT, SWAT, Hostage Negotiator, etc.
Because the SPO and MPO positions are awarded and carry a higher status, all certifications and qualifications must be kept up and maintained or officers may be released from the program. An exception to this is if the Division has placed an officer in a position that they are unable to maintain their certifications/qualifications.
Promotions
Promotion to Police Corporal can be made from Police Officer, Master Police Officer or Senior Police Officer status. Promotions are always made from an eligible list established by the Office of Professional Standards and maintained by the City of Hampton Human Resources .
Corporal elects must have at least two years of consecutive service as a Patrol Officer, Senior Police Officer or Master Police Officer, and must go before a review board. Points for education and time in service will be included. Upon promotion, duties will include road supervision, assignments to the detective bureau, or a specialty assignment (i.e. Marine Patrol, Crime Prevention, Special Investigations, etc). Corporals will receive a 5% pay increase.
Continuation through the chain of command may include the following ranks if pursued:
- Sergeant
- Lieutenant
- Captain
- Major
Officers from other Police Departments
The Police Division offers up to a 10% increase for experienced officers from other jurisdictions.
Officers coming from other jurisdictions must meet all the minimum requirements for Police Officer to include testing, interviews and background checks. Upon hiring, their direct experience and training is evaluated and their pay will be reflective to that of a similar officer within our Division (per Professional Standards Directive #01-01).
Those who are Basic Law Enforcement Certified through DCJS from an accepted Police Academy will not be required to complete ours. The field training will then be conducted in a manner that recognizes the officer's standing as experienced and not that of a new recruit.