A Strategic Solution to a Leadership Challenge
The Fairfax County Police Department is offering a $15,000 hiring bonus for new police officers. This new initiative aims to attract new sworn officer hires for the PD and other professional staff positions in departments in the county, as the current administration’s mass layoffs are affecting the workforce across many federal agencies.
The FCPD serves the largest jurisdiction in Virginia with over 1,500 employees and states that the agency is looking for people with strong leadership skills, the ability to work within a team, and a background in public service. This is a primary reason the agency is targeting federal workers, as these are all talents this group of workers tends to possess.
Tapping into a Skilled Talent Pool
“We do have positions that we need to fill, and we’re looking for professionals who are seeking a stable and rewarding career,” Maj. Shawn Adcock of the Fairfax County PD said. “We know that federal employees are our target for us to tap into. The skills they need to succeed in the federal workforce are many of the skills that are easily transferrable to law enforcement.”
“They’ve already demonstrated leadership, probably under pressure, given the certain positions that they have,” Adcock added. “They’ve worked collaboratively with other agencies, so we know that they bring a wealth of knowledge. The positions we offer are competitive with federal jobs, and we think that they bring great tools to the police department.”
In addition to the hiring bonus, plus an appealing suite of benefits and compensation, Adcock stated that convenience will be a major factor as well.
“We know that federal employees are part of a Fairfax County community,” Adcock said. “Most of them live there. Some of them are our neighbors. Some of them are community advocates, and we know that they would bring tremendous value.”
As for compensation, Maj. Adcock stated that the difference in pay when switching careers will vary as there are different pay rates for new applicants based on education and experience. He also affirmed that there is no quota or a set number of federal workers the department wants to hire and underscored that there are many vacancies the FCPD is looking to fill.
Addressing Budget Constraints with Innovation
Despite Fairfax County’s projected budget shortfall of nearly $300 million next year, Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay stated that the FCPD has been able to absorb some of the hiring incentive costs within its existing budget. Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay stated that the FCPD has been able to absorb some of the hiring incentive costs within its existing budget.
“Department of Management and Budget staff work closely with FCPD to assess whether additional allocations from the County’s hiring incentive reserve are necessary,” McKay affirmed. “This initiative benefits both the community and impacted workers by strengthening our public safety workforce while offering a stable, meaningful career path to those affected by federal changes.”
According to the FCPD media relations team, as of March 27, 2025, the agency currently has 130 vacancies – a marked improvement from over 170 vacancies around the same time in 2024.
Maj. Adcock added that the $15,000 hiring bonus for new sworn officers does not have a scheduled end date.
Continuing Progress Made
Amidst economic challenges and workforce shifts, the Fairfax County Police Department’s hiring drive is a key strategy to strengthen public safety and provide new opportunities for displaced federal employees. With no end date for the incentive and a focus on community-driven recruitment, the department aims to turn a period of uncertainty into an opportunity and renewal for its ranks and the broader county community.
This article features information from: https://www.ffxnow.com/2025/04/03/fairfax-county-police-make-jobs-pitch-to-recruit-displaced-federal-workers/
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