Law Enforcement Careers

Virginia ABC is charged with enforcing the laws of the Commonwealth pertaining to the manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages. Virginia ABC special agents have full police powers with a diverse range of duties—from investigating license applicants and conducting underage sale compliance checks, to enforcing ABC laws in nearly 19,000 licensed establishments. They also investigate and prosecute criminal activities ranging from drugs, gangs and gambling, to money laundering and tax evasion.

Special agents are vested with statewide police authority to enforce the criminal laws of the commonwealth. They employ traditional police work, community outreach and new technologies to improve public safety throughout the commonwealth. Special agents focus on overseeing the state’s ABC laws and regulations by inspecting licensees, responding to alcohol-related complaints and performing financial investigations for administrative and criminal cases. 

Special agents are recruited from a competitive applicant pool, providing an increasingly diverse workforce. Whether you're ready to transition from another law enforcement locality or just beginning your enforcement career, becoming a Virginia ABC special agent may be just the right move for you.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 21 years of age on date of hire.
• An undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice, Business or Public Administration, Accounting, Finance, Sociology, or a related field, 3.5 GPA or higher. A Master’s Degree, (CFE) Certified Fraud Examiner, (CPA), Certified Public Accountant is preferred.
• Must have successfully completed training in a certified, full-time Virginia police academy or possess the ability to complete training in a certified, full-time police academy at time of appointment.
• Must be of good character and reputation as established by a background investigation to include but not be limited to: polygraph examination, prior work experience, character and reputation references, credit history and police records.
• Must be able to successfully pass a medical examination including psychological evaluation.
• Must be in possession of a valid driver's license and good driving record.
• Must be willing to work weekends.
• Must be willing to travel when necessary to assist with investigations, attend training, etc.
• Upon appointment, must establish residence within assigned geographic region.

Job Description

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Inspecting ABC-licensed establishments throughout the year to ensure compliance.
• Conducting follow-up investigations related to falsification of records, money laundering, tax evasion and more.
• Conducting criminal investigations in conjunction with ABC-related matters, including illicit drug use or distribution, illegal weapons, gambling or counterfeit activities.
• Conducting surveillance and investigations of licensed and unlicensed establishments ("nip joints") to curb illegal activities including sales to underage or intoxicated persons.
• Conducting background investigations to determine the suitability of licensee applicants.
• Ensuring public safety and health.
• Ensuring the collection of tax dollars.
• Responding to other law enforcement agencies.
• Serving as a liaison to the local community.

Training Requirements

• Must successfully complete an official field training program.
• Must successfully complete a 12-month probationary period. (Current state employees may be exempt.)

• Certified: Required Skills and Qualifications

VA Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) Law Enforcement Officer - Police Officer Certification with prior experience as a sworn Police Officer

• Certified: Required Trainings

All VA DCJS Certified Officers will be required to attend 4-6 weeks of Training in Richmond and a minimum of 12 weeks of Field Training.

• Non-Certified: Required Skills and Qualifications

A Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) Law Enforcement Officer -Police Officer Certification must be achieved within 1 year of appointment.

• Non-Certified: Required Trainings

All applicants will be required to attend 26 weeks of Training in Lynchburg, VA and a minimum of 12 weeks of Field Training.

Career Progression

Virginia ABC’s Bureau of Law Enforcement does have a career progression plan in place and Special Agents may be eligible for salary increases upon successful completion of the career progression periods.

Benefits

Virginia ABC special agents receive specialized training, law enforcement equipment, life insurance, health insurance, sick leave, paid vacation and also earn retirement in the Virginia Law Officers Retirement System (VALORS). Sworn employees may retire with full benefits at age 50 with 25 years of service and at age 60 with five years of service.