Police Officer Job Requirements

Fairmont Police Department


Probationary Police Officer Position

Application & Testing Process

Elements of our application and testing process must be passed through. They do not necessarily have to be passed in order listed.

The requirements to be a basic police officer are as follows:

  • Testing information will be announced in the local media
  • Entry exams are ordered by the Police Civil Service Commission and are given often, but at a minimum every 3 years or as soon as everyone on a current list has been bypassed or hired. Once it has been announced that an exam will be given, the applicant must register with the City Clerk and file an application. Prior to the announcement of a test, you may file an interest form with the City Clerk to be notified when a new exam is announced.

Element 1 - Written Examination

Applicants must successfully pass a competitive written examination administered by the City of Fairmont Police Civil Service Commission. 

Element 2 - Physical Ability Examination

Applicants must successfully pass a pre-employment physical ability examination, which is the current LEPS requirement for entry into the Basic Law Enforcement Class at the WV State Police Academy. This test will be administered following the written test and prior to receiving your written test score. The minimum passing scores for employment are as indicated (this phase may be given prior to written exam):

  • Sit-Ups: 28 properly executed sit-ups in 1 minute.
  • Push-Ups: 18 properly executed push-ups in 1 minute.
  • 1.5 Mile Run- Minimum standard for this test is completion of the run in 14 minutes and 36 seconds.

The tests described are graded as pass or fail; acceptance is based on successfully passing all 3 measures. A copy of the Physical Ability Standards for LEPS can be obtained on the Division of Justice and Community Services website.

Element 3 - Background Investigation

Investigations include, but are not limited to, verification of residence, employment, military service and education, application verification, research into possible criminal activity such as theft and drug usage, credit and driving history.

Element 4 - Panel Review

Applicants are asked a mostly uniform set of questions and are rated on various dimensions including, but not limited to, decisiveness, maturity and other job related interview characteristics.

Element 5 - Psychological Evaluation

Applicants will be sent to a medical psychologist or psychiatrist, who will use various information to evaluate a candidate's suitability for the police profession. Various applicant traits will be evaluated which may include (but not be limited to): Impulse control; General intelligence; Judgement; Ability to perform boring or tedious tasks; Reasonable courage; Honesty; Integrity; Personal bias or lack of bias; Ability to tolerate stress; What motivated the candidate to choose law enforcement; Dependability; Ability to deal with supervision; Appropriate attitudes towards sexuality; Prior drug use; etc.

Element 6 - Polygraph Exam

Applicants will be directed to take a polygraph test administered by a trained polygrapher. A potential list of questions asked may include (but not be limited to): Theft of money or merchandise from employer, or by shoplifting; Illegal drug trafficking or dealing; Illegal drug or medication use, including steroids; Use of alcohol; Falsification or minimization in your requested information; Participation in any type of organized crime; Arrests for anything other than minor traffic violations; Commission of a crime which has not been detected; Concealment of anything in your background that would affect your chances for this position; Involvement in a physical fight with another person, including domestic violence; Use of excessive physical force against another person; Payment or receipt of any bribes; etc.

Element 7 - Medical Physical

Applicants will undergo a medical physical which includes, but is not limited to, laboratory tests such as blood work, urinalysis, electrocardiogram, drug testing, medical history and examination by a physician. The medical selection standards established are designed to satisfy the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and ensure that the standards do not unfairly exclude people from employment as law enforcement officers who are otherwise qualified. Medical Standards are related to the essential tasks and are therefore validated as legitimate standards and are required by the West Virginia State Police Academy.

Top applicants will be selected within the rules and regulations set forth by West Virginia State Code, the Fairmont Civil Service Commission, and the WV Law Enforcement Training Committee.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement

It is the policy of the Fairmont Police Department to be fair and equitable in all its relations with its employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, ancestry, marital status, gender, or disability. The Fairmont Police Department assures full compliance with all federal, state, and local laws relating to Equal Employment Opportunity, Affirmative Action and non-discrimination.

"The Fairmont Police Department is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer"