The Police Officer Selection Process
Becoming a police officer with the Penn Hills Police Department is a rewarding journey that involves multiple stages. While it can take time, the effort is well worth it if you’re committed to a meaningful career in law enforcement. Below is an outline of the steps you’ll need to complete to join our team:
1. Job Posting Announcement
The Municipality of Penn Hills will advertise the police officer job opening, including the application deadline. Be sure to check this website, local newspapers, and the Penn Hills Police Department’s social media pages (Facebook and X) for updates. There is no application fee to apply.
2. Complete Your Application & Required Forms
Once the application period begins, you will need to complete the Application for Employment, the Essential Duties of a Police Officer form, the Notification Procedure Release form, and the Waiver and Release for Background Investigation form.
Make sure all your information is accurate and truthful—any falsification, omission, or misrepresentation of information will disqualify you from the process. These forms are available for download here or can be picked up at the municipal building, at 102 Duff Road, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15235.
3. Submit Your Application
Once your forms are complete, submit them to the municipal building (102 Duff Road, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15235) during regular office hours. Be sure to submit your application by the deadline; late submissions will not be accepted.
If you are claiming veteran’s preference, you must submit satisfactory proof of service through the submission of discharge papers or separation documents (A DD-214, DD-215, or NGB-22 form), or statement of service (as that term is defined in the Act) with your application package.
4. Physical Agility Test
After the application period ends, you will be notified of the time and location for the physical agility test. This test is pass/fail—if you fail any part of the test, you will be disqualified from the selection process. This test is typically held at the Allegheny County Police Training Academy.
The physical agility test will evaluate you to determine physical fitness using the standards developed by the Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research, requiring you to score no lower than the 30th percentile of the Cooper Standards, based on your age and gender.
5. Written Examination
The written examination will take place following the physical agility test. You will be notified of the time and location for the written examination. Only those who pass the physical agility test will be eligible to take the written exam. If you fail the written exam, you will not move forward in the selection process.
The written exam covers basic skills like arithmetic, reading comprehension, problem-solving, spelling, and grammar. It is graded on a 100-point scale. A minimum score of 75% is required to pass. Your score on this exam will account for 70% of your overall score. You must receive one of the top thirty-five (35) highest scores, including ties, in order to move forward in the selection process.
6. Oral Examination
Applicants who pass the written exam and place among the top thirty-five (35) scoring candidates (if applicable) will be invited for a scored oral examination. This examination is designed to assess your understanding of law enforcement, your decision-making abilities, and how you respond under pressure. It is graded on a 100-point scale. A minimum score of 75% is required to pass. The oral examination will account for 30% of your final score.
7. Eligibility List
At the completion of the examination requirements (physical agility test, written examination, and oral examination), the Police Personnel Board will rank all passing candidates on the eligibility list. The applicants who received the highest scores shall be at the top of the eligibility list, with all other candidates being listed in descending order of their scores. Applicants who qualify for veteran’s preference points will have ten (10) points added to their final score prior to being ranked on the eligibility list.
In the case of tied scores, the tie will be broken by giving preference to the applicant who received the highest score on the written test. In the event the qualifying applicants receive identical scores, the order of listing shall be determined by the order in which they were numbered for recording purposes.
The eligibility list for Full-Time Police Officer will be valid for a period of one (1) year from the date the Police Personnel Board formally adopts it. Prior to expiration of the one-year period, the Police Personnel Board may extend the validity of the eligibility list for up to an additional twelve (12) months by a majority vote, at a duly authorized board meeting. Employment offers will be extended based on this list, as long as it remains valid.
8. Polygraph Examination
All applicants will undergo a polygraph examination. You will be contacted by the polygraph examiner to schedule your test, and you’ll receive a polygraph pre-screening packet in the mail.
This packet contains a series of questions that explore various aspects of your background. While some questions may feel personal or uncomfortable, it’s completely normal to feel that way. We ask that you answer truthfully, and you will have the opportunity to clarify your responses before the actual polygraph exam.
The goal of the polygraph is to uphold the integrity of the selection process. It helps confirm that candidates are being honest about the information provided in their application and that no critical details, such as undetected criminal activity, are being withheld. Any attempts to deceive the polygraph or use “countermeasures” to manipulate the results will result in disqualification from the selection process.
9. Background Investigation
The Municipality of Penn Hills will conduct background investigations on a select group of applicants, beginning with the highest overall civil service score and proceeding down the list. This investigation will take a comprehensive look at various aspects of your life, including—but not limited to—your criminal history, employment background, education, driving record, credit history, past illegal drug use, domestic issues, and other factors that reflect on your overall character.
As a police officer, you will hold a position of public trust, and the Penn Hills Police Department is committed to ensuring that all candidates meet the high standards expected by the community we serve.
We understand that everyone has made mistakes and that perfection is not expected. Our primary focus is on finding candidates who demonstrate integrity, strong character, and honesty. It is essential to be truthful throughout the process. Any issues that arise from your honesty will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. It’s important to note that not every past mistake will disqualify you, but failing to disclose, misrepresenting, or falsifying information will.
10. Formal Interview
If a position becomes available, the top candidates on the eligibility list will be invited for a formal interview with the chief of police and the municipal manager. This interview is for informational purposes and is not scored, meaning it won’t affect your position on the eligibility list. It gives us an opportunity to learn more about you, understand why you’re interested in working with the Penn Hills Police Department, and provide you with an overview of what to expect if you’re selected for the position.
11. Conditional Offer of Employment
If you are selected for a position, you will receive a conditional offer of employment, contingent on passing both a physical examination and a psychological examination.
12. Physical Examination
The physical exam will take place at a licensed medical facility and will evaluate your overall health and fitness for the role. It includes drug screening. You must pass this exam to begin employment with the department.
13. Psychological Examination
The psychological examination includes a formal interview with a licensed psychologist and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2, MMPI-2RF, or MMPI-3) test. This helps ensure you are mentally prepared for the demands of the job. You must pass both parts of the examination to move forward.
14. Starting Employment
Once you successfully complete the physical and psychological exams, you will be notified of your start date as a Penn Hills police officer.
For Act 120 certified candidates, your first week will focus on completing necessary paperwork for payroll and benefits, reviewing department policies and procedures, and undergoing firearms qualifications.
Following the initial paperwork, you will be paired with a Field Training Officer (FTO) for six months of on-the-job training. During this time, you will familiarize yourself with the Penn Hills roadways, learn department protocols, and gain experience with the necessary documentation. After six months, you will transition to solo patrol.
For candidates who are not Act 120 certified, you will attend basic recruit training at the Allegheny County Police Training Academy for approximately twenty-five (25) weeks, starting either in January or July based on your hire date. Upon successful completion of academy training, you will need to pass the Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission (MPOETC) certification exam to move forward.
