The Civil Service Commission has waived the usual requirement that candidates must be residents of the City of Philadelphia for one year prior to the date of appointment.
Each non-resident hired for the position of Police Officer is required to establish residency within the City of Philadelphia no later than six (6) months after completion of the probationary period.
Licensure
All civilian candidates must possess a valid driver's license when invited to our one (1) day orientation held at the Philadelphia Police Academy. Anyone with a suspended or revoked license will not pass the background investigation. Any applicant who possesses outstanding fees for traffic violations, must make payment arraignments with Traffic Court. Also persons with a NonDriver's ID, must have a valid driver's license.
Educational Requirements
All candidates must have proof of their high school diploma or their final GED scores as part of their background. At this time the Phila. Police Department does not require a college degree. But many of our officers are either going back to finish a degree or going to college to start getting a degree. Also as part of the police training curriculum you will receive college credits upon graduation. Good reading and writing skills are essential in executing your duties as a police officer.
Age
Candidates must have reached the age of 19 but not yet 40 by the time of their appointment to the position of police officer. Candidates must be within these age limits at the time of appointment. The date of appointment is the date that the candidate actually enters the police academy for training.
State Physical Fitness and Reading Requirements
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania requires all Police Recruit Applicants within the Commonwealth to pass a pre-employment physical fitness test and a reading comprehension exam in order to qualify for the position of Police Recruit. These tests are administered by the City of Philadelphia's Personnel Department.
Physical Fitness Test
The physical fitness test confirms that prospective police recruits are performing physically (based on their age and gender) at the 30th percentile. The test includes the 1.5-mile run, situps (within 1 minute), bench press, and the 300-meter run.
Standards for Male Applicants
Age 20-29: Minimum time 13:22
Age 30-39: Minimum time 14:08
Age 20-29: Minimum 35
Age 30-39: Minimum 32
Age 20-29: Minimum 0.93 of body weight
Age 30-39: Minimum 0.83 of body weight
Age 20-29: Minimum 62.1 seconds
Age 30-39: Minimum 63 seconds
Standards for Female Applicants
Age 20-29: Minimum time 15:57
Age 30-39: Minimum time 16:35
Age 20-29: Minimum 29.5
Age 30-39: Minimum 22
Age 20-29: Minimum 0.56 of body weight
Age 30-39: Minimum 0.51 of body weight
Age 20-29: Minimum 75 seconds
Age 30-39: Minimum 82 seconds
Reading Ability Test
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania also requires that all police recruits be able to read at no less than the ninth grade level as established through the administration of the Nelson-Denny Reading Test.
Certification Requirements
A PERSON WHO IS TO BE EMPLOYED AS POLICE OFFICERS BY POLICE DEPARTMENTS WITHIN THE COMMONWEALTH SHALL:
Be 19 years of age or older as outlined above.
Possess a high school diploma or GED.
Be a citizen of the United States.
Be free from convictions of disqualifying offenses.
Be personally examined by a Pennsylvania licensed physician.
APPLICANTS SHALL BE FREE FROM THE ADDICTIVE OR EXCESSIVE USE OF EITHER ALCOHOL OR DRUGS, SHALL BE FREE FROM THE USE OF ILLEGAL CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES. APPLICANTS PHYSICAL CONDITION SHALL BE EXPECTED TO WITHSTAND SIGNIFICANT CARDIOVASCULAR STRESS, SHALL BE FREE FROM ANY DIBILITATING CONDITIONS. APPLICANTS SHALL BE FREE OF VISUAL ABNORMALITIES. APPLICANTS MAY NOT BE MISSING ANY EXTREMITIES. APPLICANTS SHALL BE FREE FROM ANY OTHER SIGNIFICANT PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS OR DISABILITIES.
Be personally examined by a Pennsylvania licensed psychologist.
Be subject to a thorough background investigation.
Successfully complete a basic police training course given at a commissioned, certified school.
More information at http://ppdonline.org/
