Home / Federal careers / GS-0083
Police
Federal law enforcement position performing police work including patrol, criminal investigation, traffic enforcement, and public safety at federal facilities, military bases, and government properties.
What GS-0083 pays
2025 base rates, before locality. Most federal employees add a locality adjustment on top.
| Grade | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 | Step 6 | Step 7 | Step 8 | Step 9 | Step 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-5 | $34,454 | $35,603 | $36,752 | $37,901 | $39,050 | $40,199 | $41,348 | $42,497 | $43,646 | $44,786 |
| GS-7 | $42,679 | $44,102 | $45,525 | $46,948 | $48,371 | $49,794 | $51,217 | $52,640 | $54,063 | $55,486 |
| GS-9 | $52,205 | $53,945 | $55,685 | $57,425 | $59,165 | $60,905 | $62,645 | $64,385 | $66,125 | $67,865 |
| GS-11 | $63,163 | $65,268 | $67,373 | $69,478 | $71,583 | $73,688 | $75,793 | $77,898 | $80,003 | $82,108 |
| GS-12 | $75,706 | $78,229 | $80,752 | $83,275 | $85,798 | $88,321 | $90,844 | $93,367 | $95,890 | $98,422 |
Base pay only. Locality pay adds 15 to 40 percent or more depending on where the job sits. Source: OPM 2025 General Schedule.
Qualification requirements
OPM's standard for GS-0083, as written.
Police Series Requirements
Education:
- GS-5: Bachelor's degree in criminal justice, police science, law enforcement, or related field
- GS-6 and above: Education may be substituted at some grades; see specialized experience requirements
OR
Experience:
- GS-5: 3 years of progressively responsible general experience demonstrating ability to learn police work
- GS-6 and above: 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level
Special Requirements:
- Must be a U.S. citizen
- Must pass a comprehensive background investigation
- Must meet agency-specific medical and physical fitness standards
- Must successfully complete police training academy
- Must qualify with assigned firearms
- Must possess valid driver's license
- May have age requirements (typically 21 minimum at appointment)
What this means if you served
- Write the duties, not the billet. OPM credits military experience on the work performed, and does not use rank or pay to judge specialized experience.
- Put the training and certifications you earned in service on the page. They count here.
- Claim your veterans preference on the application. It is not applied for you.
- No positive education requirement here, so qualifying experience can stand in for the education.
How to qualify for GS-0083
1Review Qualification Requirements
Read the OPM qualification standards above to understand the education and experience requirements for your target grade level.
2Find Your Grade Level
Grade follows the scope and complexity of the work you can document against the announcement, not the rank you held. OPM does not use military rank or pay when it evaluates specialized experience. Roughly: GS-5 entry, GS-7/9 junior, GS-11/12 journey, GS-13 and up senior.
3Gather Documentation
Collect your DD-214, SF-50 (if applicable), transcripts, certifications, and any training records that demonstrate your qualifications.
4Build Your Federal Resume
Two pages. USAJOBS has enforced that limit since 27 September 2025 and will not accept a longer resume from a Title 5 agency posting, so the space has to answer every qualification requirement. Include hours worked per week, supervisor contact details, and the accomplishments with numbers on them.
5Apply on USAJOBS
Search for open positions, carefully answer all assessment questions, and submit your application before the closing date.
Military jobs that map to this series
Infantryman
Police. Federal law enforcement at CBP, Marshals, Federal Protective Service. Infantry tactical skills and discipline transfer directly. Most require degree or equivalent experience.
Skills that carry over: Tactical operations, Weapons proficiency, Patrol operations, Use of force decisions, Report writing.
Usually opens at: GS-5, GS-7, GS-9, GS-11.
Maritime Enforcement Specialist
Police series — direct match for MEs with patrol and enforcement duties. Federal Protective Service, VA Police, and agency-specific police forces.
Skills that carry over: Law Enforcement, Use of Force, Patrol Operations, Report Writing, Firearms.
Usually opens at: GS-5, GS-7, GS-9.
Special Forces Weapons Sergeant
GS-0083 Police covers DoD police, VA police, federal facility protection, and Federal Protective Service. Combat arms and weapons-instructor experience translates directly. Common bridge role between separation and a Special Agent application.
Skills that carry over: Law enforcement procedures, Use-of-force decision-making, Tactical response, Weapons handling, Report writing.
Usually opens at: GS-5, GS-6, GS-7, GS-8, GS-9.
Your record can qualify you even when your code is not on this list. The crosswalk is a starting point, not the gate.
Typical duties
- Patrol assigned areas
- Respond to emergencies
- Investigate crimes
- Enforce laws and regulations
- Make arrests
- Prepare reports
Key competencies
Law Enforcement
Knowledge of laws, regulations, and law enforcement procedures.
Patrol Operations
Ability to conduct patrol and respond to incidents.
Criminal Investigation
Skill in investigating crimes and gathering evidence.
Arrest Procedures
Knowledge of proper arrest and detention procedures.
Firearms Proficiency
Skill in safe handling and use of service weapons.
Defensive Tactics
Ability to use appropriate force and self-defense techniques.
Report Writing
Skill in preparing accurate incident and investigation reports.
Community Relations
Ability to work effectively with the public and community.
Emergency Response
Skill in responding to emergencies and crisis situations.
Traffic Enforcement
Knowledge of traffic laws and accident investigation.
Words the announcement will use
Use the ones your record actually supports. A rater is matching your experience against the specialized experience statement, and a keyword with nothing behind it does not survive that.
Questions about GS-0083
What is a Federal Police Officer?
A GS-0083 Police Officer is a federal law enforcement officer performing patrol, criminal investigation, and public safety duties at federal facilities. Federal police serve at military bases, VA hospitals, federal buildings, and government properties nationwide, enforcing federal and applicable local laws.
How much does a federal Police Officer make?
Federal Police Officers earn between $34,454 (GS-5 Step 1) and $82,108 (GS-11 Step 10) under the 2025 GS pay scale. Most officers work at GS-6/7/8 levels with Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) or other premium pay. Total compensation including locality pay often reaches $50,000-$90,000.
What are the requirements for GS-0083 positions?
Entry-level GS-5 positions require a bachelor's degree OR three years of general experience. Candidates must pass physical fitness tests, medical exams, background investigations, and complete training at FLETC or equivalent. Age requirements typically mandate hiring before age 37 for law enforcement positions.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0083?
Absolutely. Military Police, Security Forces, Master-at-Arms, and combat arms experience directly qualifies for federal police positions. Three years of active duty service typically meets GS-5 requirements. Military law enforcement training, weapons qualification, and security experience are highly valued.
What is the career progression for Federal Police Officer?
Federal police progress from GS-5/6/7 (patrol) through GS-9/11 (detective/sergeant) to GS-12+ (command). Career paths include investigations, K-9, tactical units, and administration. Agencies like VA Police, Pentagon Force Protection, and military installation police have structured career ladders.
How do I apply for GS-0083 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS.gov for 'Police Officer' or '0083' series. Every military base and many federal agencies hire police. Your federal resume should emphasize law enforcement training, arrest experience, weapons qualifications, and any specialized certifications. Veterans receive preference, and military police experience provides direct qualification.
Ready to apply for GS-0083?
A rater matches your record against the announcement's specialized experience statement, inside two pages. BMR writes that shape from your own experience: competency headers, real scope, hours per week, and the supervisor detail the rater checks.