• Thirty (30) semester credit hours may be waived for applicants with at least two years of full active military duty with an Honorable Discharge or have completed Officer Candidate School and have no term of obligation.
  OR
• Fifteen (15) semester credit hours may be waived for applicants who have successfully completed Act 120 training as certified by the Municipal Police Officers' Education and Training Commission of Pennsylvania or by a certifying agency from another state.

Please also note:

• Sixty (60) semester credits or Ninety (90) quarter credits are required before an individual on the eligibility list can be processed for an academy class.  If you do not meet the requirement at that time, you will be able to request a one year civil service education waiver/deferment.

CRIMINAL HISTORY:
Conviction of a felony or serious misdemeanor is disqualifying unless applicant has been pardoned. Other behavior, which is incompatible with the duties and responsibilities of the position of Police Officer, may also be disqualifying.

VETERAN’S PREFERENCE:
Veteran's Preference points will be awarded to eligible candidates who achieve a FINAL passing score. You must present your, or your spouse’s (if deceased or disabled), ORIGINAL discharge and separation papers (DD-214). Your initial service obligation must be completed by the date of the written examination.

If you are unable to locate your original discharge and separation papers (Form DD-214), you must complete a “Request Pertaining to Military Records” Form (SF-180) and send it to the appropriate agency. When received, return your DD-214, with the cover sheet attached, to the Civil Service Office, 4th Floor, City-County Building. Military or National Guard reservists are eligible for veterans’ preference if they have completed their initial reserve obligation. Reservists must provide an original statement of service letter from their current Reserve or National Guard commanding officer at the rank of colonel (Army, Air Force, Marine), captain (Navy or Coast Guard) or higher.

The letter must include:

• A statement that characterizes your current service (i.e., honorable or under honorable conditions).
• Date military or National Guard reserve service began.
• Completion date of initial military reserve obligation.

CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATIONS:
If you meet the General Application Requirements, you will be sent a letter of admission for the written examination. You must pass the written and oral examination in order to have your name placed on the official Civil Service Eligibility List for Police Officer.

• Written Examination: An admission letter will be mailed to you and you MUST present the admission letter to sit for the written examination.
• Oral Examination: A scored oral examination before an oral board panel. If you take the written examination you will be scheduled for the oral examination.

MUNICIPAL POLICE OFFICERS’ EDUCATION AND TRAINING COMMISSION TESTS:
Both of these tests will be administered to candidates whose names appear on the Police Officer Eligibility List and who are being further processed for an Academy Class. The State of Pennsylvania Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission (MPOETC) requires candidates to achieve physical fitness standards on a fitness test, and vocabulary and comprehension standards on a reading test for entry into a State of Pennsylvania Police Academy.

A separate set of MPOETC information sheets, including standards, are included with your application packet.

MEDICAL EXAMINATION AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SUITABILITY EVALUATION:
Both of these assessments will be administered to candidates who receive conditional offers of employment. Final appointment to the Training Academy is contingent upon successful completion of both assessments. The medical standards include having distant vision of at least 20/70, uncorrected, in the stronger eye, correctable to 20/20, and at least 20/200, uncorrected, in the weaker eye, correctable to at least 20/40. In addition, candidates shall have normal depth and color perception, and must be free of any significant visual abnormality.