Interested in a Career with Mason Police?
Sworn and non-sworn employment opportunities are available at jobs.gmu.edu or Handshake.
Benefits
Mason Police offers benefits that are competitive with other law enforcement agencies nationwide.
Paid Time Off
New full-time employees earn at least 96 hours (12 days) of annual leave (i.e., “paid time off”) per year. Note: all periods of salaried state service and/ or a veteran’s service in the military, National Guard or Reserves counts in setting the accrual rate.
In addition to earned annual leave that accrues every pay period and carries over into the new year, full-time employees begin every year with the following leave balances:
- 64 hours of Sick Leave
- 32 hours of Family and Personal Leave
- 16 hours of School Assistance and Volunteer Service Leave
- 16 hours of Bereavement Leave
Mason employees also enjoy other leave benefits such as:
- Approximately 152 hours of paid holidays every year
- Up to 320 hours of paid Parental Leave
- Up to 12 months for paid Educational or Staff Study Leave of Absence
Learn more about Paid Time Off.
Health Insurance and Retirement
Mason employees have access to:
- Affordable Health Insurance and Dental Insurance plans
- Virginia Retirement System (VRS) – the 17th largest public or private pension fund in the U.S., serving more than 750,000 active and inactive members, retirees and beneficiaries
- Employee Assistance Programs – Included are up to four sessions at no charge for such services as mental health, alcohol or drug abuse assessment, child or elder care, grief counseling and legal or financial services.
Free Tuition
Eligible Mason Employees
Eligible Mason employees are allowed to enroll in classes and related laboratories each academic year, for which tuition (up to 12 credits per year for any academic program – including the Scalia Law School and graduate programs), mandatory student fee, lab, and course fees will be exempted. Learn more about Mason’s Employee Tuition Exemption Benefit.
Eligible Dependents of Mason Employees
As of November 9, 2022, George Mason University is offering the Mason Virginia Promise (MVP) Grant for qualifying dependents of Mason employees. The employee must be current, active, and benefits-eligible to qualify for this benefit. Learn more about Employee Dependent Tuition Benefit.
Take-Home Vehicle Program
Eligible Officers can participate in Mason Police’s take-home vehicle program.
Unique Opportunities
Training
- Eight-lane indoor firing range shared with City of Fairfax PD and City of Falls Church PD
- Crime Scene Processing Course
- Firearms Instructor Course
- Leadership Development Course
- Police Driving Instructor Course
- Executive Protection Course
- And more
Specialized Assignments
Overtime Events
- EagleBank Arena
- Center for the Arts
- Registered Student Organizations (RSOs)
- Political Campaigns
- VIPs
- And more
Liaison Officers
- LGBTQ+
- Greek Life
- Title IX
- Mason Life
- And more
Research Collaborations with University Academics
Members of Mason Police enjoy opportunities working with cutting edge technology such as FARO, 3D Mapping, and more.
Police Officer Hiring Process
Your Path to Becoming a Mason Police Officer
Phase 1: Apply Online
Start at: jobs.gmu.edu
To move forward, applicants must meet the following minimum qualifications:
- At least 21 years of age by graduation date of the police academy
- U.S. citizen (Va. Code § 15.2-1705(A)(i))
- High school diploma or approved equivalent (§ 15.2-1705(A)(ii))
- Possess valid motor vehicle operator’s license that meets all of GMU’s requirements for operating state vehicles and equipment under Mason’s Vehicle Use Policy 1411
- No felony convictions or felony guilty/no-contest pleas (§ 15.2-1705(A)(vi))
- No misdemeanors involving moral turpitude
(e.g., petit larceny, sex offenses, domestic assault) (§ 15.2-1705(A)) - No history of convictions or restraining orders for domestic violence
- No history of de-certified law enforcement or jailor status
Phase 2: Background Investigation
Applicants who advance will receive instructions to create a VETTED account (a partner platform of governmentjobs.com).
This phase includes:
- Completion of the Personal History Statement (PHS);
- Comprehensive background investigation; and
- Polygraph examination (Va. Code § 54.1-1800 et seq.)
Phase 3: Interview
Qualified applicants will participate in an interview with the Chief of Police or their designee.
Phase 4: Conditional Offer + Required Exams
Applicants chosen to continue will receive a conditional offer of employment, pending successful completion of:
- Physical examination and
- Psychological examination by licensed physicians/psychiatrists (Va. Code §§ 15.2-1705(A), 15.2-1705(C))
Note: A conditional offer is not a final offer of employment.
Phase 5: Informal Offer
Applicants who pass all required examinations will receive an informal (verbal) offer, including:
- Proposed salary and
- Proposed start date
Phase 6: Formal Offer
Applicants who accept the informal offer will receive a formal written offer, confirming:
- Final salary;
- Start date; and
- Onboarding instructions
Police Academy and Field Training
Mason Police officers are some of the best trained officers in metro-Washington Region. Under the Virginia Administrative Code, to become a Mason Police officer, an individual must comply with the following law-enforcement certification requirements:
1. Successfully complete law-enforcement basic training at a certified criminal justice training academy, which includes receiving a minimum of 480 hours of department approved training in the following categories: Professionalism; Legal; Communication; Patrol; Investigations; Defensive tactics and use of force; Weapons; and Driver training.
2. Successfully complete a minimum of 100 hours of approved training in the category of field training by meeting or exceeding the field training performance outcomes identified in the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services Field Training and On the Job Training Performance Outcomes. See 6VAC20-20-21. Compulsory minimum training standards and requirements.
Additionally, Mason Police basic training and field training far exceeds the state basic training standard of 480 hours and 100 hours respectively. Mason Police officers currently receive 817 hours of basic training. Additionally, after graduation from the police academy, Mason Police undergo 480 hours of field training under the watchful eyes of specially certified field training officers.
Learn more about the basic training curriculum taught at the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Academy.
Equity Statement
George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in its community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. Learn more about Mason’s Non-Discrimination Policy.