The starting salary for officers at the Arlington County Police Department is jumping to about $90,000, the highest in the D.C. area.
The pay bump, which goes into effect on July 1, 2026, represents a roughly $18,000 increase from the current starting salary of $72,013.50 for new officers, ACPD spokesperson Ashley Savage told ARLnow.
Additionally, the maximum starting salary for officers transferring from other agencies will hit six figures: $103,330, ACPD announced in a press release today (Wednesday). That’s on top of a hiring bonus of up to $25,000.
The change, part of hiring and retention incentives in a new ACPD collective bargaining agreement, puts ACPD well above D.C.’s relatively high-paying Metropolitan Police Department, which offers a starting salary of $75,433.
Salaries for current officers will automatically increase on July 1, as well.
“The new starting salary will be very impactful in our ability to make significant progress in refilling our ranks following several years of decreased staffing across the law enforcement profession,” said Chief Andy Penn. “The new collective bargaining agreement makes smart investments focused on the importance of retaining our exceptionally dedicated sworn officers while also taking steps to ensure we attract highly qualified applicants to serve and protect the Arlington community.”
ACPD has been expanding hiring efforts with new digital advertising and outreach this year, launching a new recruitment website and dedicated recruitment social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram.
The agency, like many police departments across the country, has been struggling to boost its staffing for several years. As of August, 74 positions remained unfilled out of the agency’s authorized strength of 377 sworn police officers.
ACPD plans to host two virtual career expos on Nov. 13 and 20 as it continues attempting to build up the force.
