rospective Philadelphia Police Officers must meet all of the following
minimum requirements. Requirements are determined by the City
of Philadelphia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Residency Requirements & Waiver
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
Minimum age in keeping with departmental requirements (presently
19 years of age on date of appointment).
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.
For entrance to the Police Academy candidates must meet the standards
determined by the Cooper
Institute for Aerobics Research performing at the 30th percentile.
The test includes the 1.5 mile run, sit-ups (within 1 minute),
bench press and the 300- meter run. 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 (percentage of body weight),
and the 300-meter run.
MALE STANDARDS
AGE:
20-29
30-39
40-49
50-59
60+
1 1/2 Mile Run
13:08
13:48
14:33
16:16
18:39
Sit-Ups in 1-min.
35
32
27
21
17
Bench Press
93%
83%
76%
68%
63%
300 Meter Run
62.1
63.0
77.0
87.0
FEMALE STANDARDS
AGE:
20-29
30-39
40-49
50-59
60+
1 1/2 Mile Run
15:56
16:46
18:26
20:17
22:34
Sit-Ups in 1-min.
30
22
17
12
4
Bench Press
56%
51%
47%
42%
40%
300 Meter Run
75.0
82.0
106.7
Physical Fitness Pre-Examination Overview
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.
Information
listed here is believed to be current at the time of publication.
However, some of the material presented here may have expired
since it was posted. Persons should contact a Philadelphia Police
representative whenever relying on dated material or information
that is subject to change.
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rospective Philadelphia Police Officers must meet all of the following
minimum requirements. Requirements are determined by the City
of Philadelphia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
