Sr. Police Officer

Baltimore, MD
Veterans Health Administration

Salary: $71,162 – $92,512 per year

Closing Date: 05/12/2025

Position Summary:

This position is located within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), and Police Services (PS). The mission of the Police Officer is to serve and protect Veterans, patients, employees, contractors, volunteers, affiliates, visitors, and others who frequent VA facilities. Safety and security are paramount to ensuring that the VA successfully serve and honor men and women who are America’s Veterans.

Essential Functions:

  • Providing policing services in a variety of jurisdictional environments, where each type of jurisdiction (Exclusive, Concurrent, and Proprietorial) has different enforcement rules and requires Police Officers to understand the complexities and legally apply the correct set of laws, regulations, and processes.
  • Provides services routinely at all segments of VA facilities located over large geographical areas, some of which may be in different states, counties, municipalities, or townships.
  • Performs certain elements of the work away from Departmental properties when consistent with Federal law, regulation, VA policy, and operational guidance.
  • Protects Veterans, volunteers, and others on Departmental property, U.S. officials, other individuals, and him or herself during any given situation against threats to personal safety when force becomes necessary to enforce laws and regulations.
  • Protects Veterans, employees and visitors sensitive and protected medical information from unauthorized release or unauthorized use where prohibited by law and or policy as guided by the privacy officer, FOIA, HIPPA, etc.
  • Carries firearms and other weapons, intervenes when necessary to deescalate situations, and determines when and how much force must be applied.
  • Advises individuals of their (Miranda, Weingarten, Garrity, etc.) rights, and protects the constitutional and civil rights of persons.
  • Conducts investigations, apprehensions, or detention of individuals suspected or convicted of offenses against the criminal laws of the US, protection, and transport of U.S. officials. Conducts investigations with a nexus to VA, prisoner transports, patient search and recovery, life-saving efforts, disaster response and recovery, asset protection during transit, training, and other matters.
  • Identifies and preserves evidence, writes comprehensive incident reports, prepares case files, and testifies in court as it pertains to enforcing laws and regulations.
  • Provides patrol in vehicles, on foot, and/or on a bicycle.
  • Detects and intervenes in criminal activity; responds to calls for police assistance, irregularities, and unusual or 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 to those areas where contraband identification and knowledge is imperative for the staff.
  • Serves as an interregnal part of the suicide prevention program and is often the first person seen by Veterans. Intervenes when possible, to deescalate active suicidal behavior and/or prevents suicides.
  • Operates specialized vehicles and equipment in support of law enforcement and security operations.
  • Executes arrest warrants issued by federal and local courts. Coordinates or transports arrested parties to holding facilities and courts as required.
  • Functions as first line of defense during violent crimes in progress, terror attacks, potential threats etc.
  • Preserves crime scenes, summons additional emergency response personnel, and coordinates, initiates or assists with partial or total evacuations.
  • Initiates investigative stops on suspicious and potentially dangerous persons and suspicious vehicles independently.
  • Uses the National Incident Management System and Incident Command System protocols to establish command and control, develop a course of action and contain, mitigate, and recover from an incident.

Requirements:

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
  • All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
  • You may be required to serve a probationary period
  • Subject to background/security investigation
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
  • Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
  • Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) – See “Additional Information” below for details.
  • VA Police Officer are required to successfully complete the 400hrs Police Officer Standardized Training in Little Rock, Arkansas. Satisfactory completion of this course is a condition of continued employment.
  • Officers must achieve and maintain qualification with agency approved firearms as condition of gaining and continuing employment as a Police Officer.
  • Officers must also successfully complete physical and psychological examinations prior to entering on duty and annually thereafter as a condition of employment.
  • Applicants must undergo a background investigation, which may include the administration of a polygraph examination
  • VA Police Officers may be expected to continue irregular duty hours either at the Medical Center, local police offices, or at court especially during investigations of serious criminal incidents. This type of working schedule may negatively affect or burden family responsibilities.
  • VA Police Officers encounter people experiencing extreme poverty and personal hardship, such as separation from family who are difficult, hostile or distressed. Investigators also may witness drownings, vehicle accidents, and other tragedies. VA Police Officers are occasionally exposed to people who carry infectious diseases.