The selection process utilized by the Hanover County Sheriff's Office provides the Sheriff and his Command Staff with sufficient information on a candidate to ensure that only the most qualified are selected to serve our citizens. Given the nature of the law enforcement profession and the high standards of the Hanover County Sheriff's Office, there are some prior actions that would preclude employment with our agency.

Qualifications:

• Be 21 years of age or older
• Be a U.S citizen
• Have minimum vision of 20/100 correctable to 20/40
• Possess a high school diploma or equivalent
• Possess a valid driver’s license

 Disqualifiers:

• Any felony or serious misdemeanor convictions, or any other criminal activity that indicates a tendency to disregard the law or reflects moral turpitude.
• Use of any illegal substances, such as cocaine, heroin, or LSD; anabolic steroids, Adderall on case-by-case basis.
• Any alcohol or drug-related driving convictions, such as a D.U.I., on a case-by-case basis.
• Conviction of domestic assault.
• Color blindness.
• A driving history that reflects an accumulation of more than six penalty points within the past year. (In the case of out-of-state driving records, convictions will be assessed against the Virginia driving point violation system.)
• Evidence of continual or unexplained poor financial responsibilities, such as a credit history of unjustifiable late payments or debts, wage garnishments, civil judgments or bankruptcy.
• Indications of dishonesty or of thefts by an applicant, or any other behavior that would bring discredit to the Sheriff’s Office.
• Commission of undetected crimes that are recent, serious or repetitive in nature.
• Incomplete/late application. (Note: Failure to accurately report or lack of completeness in filling out the background history portion of the application/worksheet will be considered an attempt to deceive or an act of dishonesty.)

The below disqualifiers will be reviewed when considering lateral applicants:

• No more than two (2) founded complaints within the last three (3) years, on a case-by-case basis.
• No founded complaints of Use of Force.
• No founded complaints of Conduct Unbecoming.
• Any indication of ongoing or repetitive domestic issues, investigations, or calls for service.
• Discovery of any untruthful statements made or any evidence/admission of a crime of lying, cheating, or stealing while employed as a law enforcement officer.
• Incomplete/late application or failure to complete and submit a Lateral Entry Worksheet. (Note: Failure to accurately report or lack of completeness in filling out the background history portion of the application/worksheet will be considered an attempt to deceive or an act of dishonesty.)

Candidates for employment will be evaluated in many areas including an aptitude test, an occupational simulation course, a comprehensive background investigation, and medical and psychological evaluations.

We thank you for your interest in our agency. If you have any questions regarding your eligibility please contact our Personnel Unit at 804-365-HCSO (4276).