Police Officer Recruit (General) (Bilingual)
- City of Philadelphia
- Philadelphia, PA, USA
- $67,935 yearly
Job Description
WHO WE ARE
As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.
What We Offer:
Impact - The work you do here matters to millions.
Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it?
Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.
Benefits - We care about your well-being.
The City of Philadelphia is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program qualified employer.
Learn more here: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service
Equal Access to Civil Service Testing
The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to faqpchr@phila.gov. For more information, go to: www.phila.gov/humanrelations
The City of Philadelphia is committed to ensuring access to Civil Service examinations by providing appropriate accommodation for candidates with documented medical or religious reasons. Candidates may request accommodation for a Civil Service examination by contacting the Office of Human Resources (OHR) at 215-686-2350 or by email at janine.labletta@phila.gov. The accommodation process is interactive and requires cooperation and communication between the applicant and OHR. Decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis using the required documentation that is submitted. Requests are to be made in a timely manner prior to the scheduled date of the Civil Service examination.
Only an on-line application will be accepted for this exam. Paper applications will not be accepted.
Computers are available in the 3-1-1 Walk-In Center located in Room 167 of City Hall (Weekdays from 9 AM to 5 PM) and at your local Philadelphia Free Library branch.
For inquiries regarding City employment, contact the Office of Human Resources Monday through Friday between 8 AM and 4 PM by telephone at 215-686-0880 or by email at hrhelpdesk@phila.gov
Information concerning employment with the City of Philadelphia may be found at:
- work.phila.gov
- https://www.phila.gov/departments/office-of-human-resources/jobs/civil-service-faqs/
- www.facebook.com/PhilaOHR
- www.twitter.com/PhilaOHR
- www.youtube.com/@PhilaOHR
- www.linkedin.com/showcase/philahr
General Definition
This is training level work in general duty police activities involving the protection of life and property, enforcement of laws, and the investigation of crimes. An employee in this class receives formal training at the Police Academy and on-the-job experience preparatory to assuming full patrol duties. Work is performed under the supervision of a police supervisor and requires regular exposure to uncontrolled and/or unpredictable conditions. The work requires frequent exercise of moderate physical effort.
ABOUT THE ORIENTATION PROCESS &EVALUATION OF FITNESS FOR DUTY
Candidates who have their names placed on the eligible list will be evaluated for their fitness for duty. Eligible candidates will be notified to appear for evaluations of fitness in such numbers and at such times as the Director may determine to be necessary or convenient. The number of candidates referred to the evaluation of fitness will be based on an estimate of the number of candidates who will be successful in the evaluation of fitness. Evaluations of fitness shall be related to the requirements of the job.
Failure to pass any of these evaluations may disqualify the candidate for appointment and may result in the removal of the candidate’s name from a certification or from an eligible list.
You are welcome to visit the joinphillypd.com website for a detailed description of the orientation and physical fitness test. In the Hiring Process Overview section, you are able to review the step-by-step orientation process which includes the completion of the Nelson Denny Reading Comprehension Test and a Physical Fitness & Agility Test.
You are encouraged to begin preparing yourself to be successful at orientation. You are welcome to review the resources below to begin your preparation. Please be advised the suggested resources are NOT the actual test but will give you an idea of what the test is like.
View the Nelson Denny Study Guide.
for an inside look of what it will take to complete the Physical Agility Test:
Philadelphia Police Department Recruit Physical Agility Requirements
You must pass all tests at orientation to move on in the hiring process and to be admitted to the Philadelphia Police Training Academy.
Questions? Please reach out to the Police Department Recruitment Unit:
Phone: (215)-683-2677
Email: Police.Recruitment@phila.gov
HIRING BONUS
New employees are eligible for bonus of 20% of starting salary – 10% within a few weeks of hire and 10% after 12 months satisfactory employment. That’s over $12,000! Employees must meet all criteria to be eligible for the bonus.
ADDITIONAL SALARY INFORMATION
After successful completion of the Philadelphia Police Academy, the salary increases to $72,651.
CONTACT INFORMATION
The analyst responsible for reviewing applications and additional documentation for this job opportunity is:
Brittany Perez
Notes to Applicants and Projected Exam Information
INDEBTEDNESS NOTICE
As a condition of employment with the City, any person offered employment shall be required to certify that such person either is fully current on any and all debts, taxes, fees, judgments, claims, and other accounts and obligations due and owing to the City; or has voluntarily entered into a payment agreement with the City. For so long as the person is employed by the City, the amount of the payment as set forth in the payment agreement (not to exceed, for any pay period, twenty percent (20%) of the person’s gross pay for such period, without the person’s consent) shall be withheld from each paycheck until such payment agreement is fully satisfied.
Such person shall also be required to certify as a condition of employment that he or she is fully current on any and all debts, taxes, fees, judgments, claims, and other accounts and obligations due and owing to the Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) or has voluntarily entered into a payment agreement with PGW. Failure to enter into a payment agreement shall result in the cancellation of the appointment and removal from the certification. The name of the eligible candidate will be returned to the eligible list.
TYPE OF ELIGIBLE LIST: OPEN-COMPETITIVE
Only an Open-Competitive eligible list will be established as a result of this examination. Permanent City employees will receive no promotional preference in this examination. Candidates who pass the exam and are placed on the civil service list will be retained on the list for a minimum of one year and a maximum of two years after the establishment of the Eligible List.
RESIDENCY WAIVER
The Civil Service Commission has waived the usual requirement that candidates must be residents of Philadelphia for one year prior to appointment/hire. Instead, establishment of residency in Philadelphia will be required no later than 18 months after appointment.
PREFERENCE POINTS FOR CANDIDATES FOR OPEN-COMPETITIVE EXAMS
U.S. VETERAN'S PREFERENCE
LEGACY PREFERENCE
NATIONAL VOLUNTEER SERVICE PREFERENCE
- Successfully completed a term of volunteer service with Peace Corps, AmeriCorps NCCC (including FEMA Corps), or AmeriCorps VISTA are eligible for additional points
- Successfully completed at least 450 hours of service with AmeriCorps State and National (including Teach for America).
- 1 point added to their final score if they have completed 450 Hours of the above service.
- 2 points added to their final score if they have completed 675 Hours of the above service.
- 3 points added to their final score if they have completed 900 Hours of the above service.
- 5 points added to their final score if they have completed 1700 Hours of the above service.
FLUENCY IN A NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE / AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE
The Police Department will notify you to schedule an interview to determine fluency in a Non-English Language or in American Sign Language. If the Police Department verifies your ability to communicate fluently in any Non-English Language or in American Sign Language, three (3) points will be added to your score.
You should only request the additional points if you are fully fluent in a Non-English Language or in American Sign Language.
If you indicate that you are fluent in a Non-English Language or in American Sign Language and you do not report for this interview, you will be removed from the eligible list and you will not be eligible for appointment as a Police Officer Recruit. If it is determined that you submitted a fraudulent claim for additional points and are not fluent in a Non-English Language or in American Sign Language, the Police Department will notify the Office of Human Resources and your name will be removed from the Police Officer Recruit eligible list.
Only those competitors who have a passing grade in an examination shall receive additional credits to which they may be entitled. The following requirements must be satisfied for a candidate to receive additional credits for examinations.
OTHER ADDITIONAL POINTS
Additional points will be added to the examination score of any candidate who has passed the open competitive examination and who has:
- Successfully completed the Philadelphia Police Explorers Cadet Program – Such candidates will be awarded three (3) points for the completion of a minimum of two years service with the Philadelphia Police Explorers Cadet Program, which has included 672 hours training offered by the Philadelphia Police Department and an additional 298 hours of community service or external training.
- Successfully completed a course of study at an accredited college or university – All course work must have been successfully completed no later than target list date for this announcement. Such candidates will have:
- 1 point added to their final score if the highest degree received is an Associate’s Degree or if the candidate has at least 60 college credits
- 2 points added to their final score if the highest degree received is a Bachelor’s degree
- 3 points added to their final score if the highest degree received is a Master’s degree
Only those competitors who have a passing grade in an examination shall receive additional credits to which they may be entitled. The following requirements must be satisfied for a candidate to receive additional credits for examinations:
- The degree or credential must have been conferred, or the education or experience must have been completed no later than the target list date for this announcement.
- An applicant may claim the additional credit at any time after the date that the examination is announced until 30 days after the eligible list is established by the Director or his/her designee. If an eligible candidate does not request additional credits or does not submit a transcript or other required documentation until after certifications and appointments have been made, the granting of additional credits shall have no effect on prior certifications and appointments.
- An applicant must submit adequate documentation as required by the Office of Human Resources. See the Other Requirements section of this announcement for detailed information.
Candidates must successfully pass all parts of the examination before any preference or additional points are awarded.
TYPE OF EXAM: MODIFIED TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE EVALUATION
An Eligible List will be established the week of June 29, 2026. Please note that this date may change.
CERTIFICATION RULE
Rule of List
TEST REVIEW PROCESS
In accordance with Civil Service Regulation 9.091D, candidates may review their answer sheets and other test papers to determine if they have been scored correctly or if there has been an irregularity in the administration of the examination. Candidates will have 30 days after the results have been mailed to review their test and to file a written appeal. Call 215 686-0880 if you wish to schedule a test review.
Level of Education Required
High School/GED
Minimum Acceptable Training and Experience
1. EDUCATION:
Education equivalent to the completion of high school.
2. AGE REQUIREMENT:
Must be Twenty (20) years of age at the time of appointment (hire) which is the date on which a person enters the Police Training Academy.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT FOR THE BILINGUAL SPECIALTY
Sufficient training and/or experience to be able to understand and speak fluently and clearly in English and the designated non-English language.
PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Ability to meet the physical and medical standards approved for this class.
- Age - Must have reached the following birthday as of the date of appointment. The date of appointment is the date on which a person enters the Police Academy for Training: Twentieth (20th) Birthday
LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND/OR CERTIFICATES
- Must obtain and maintain a Pennsylvania Municipal Police Officers’ Certification from the Pennsylvania Municipal Police Officers Education and Training Commission during tenure of employment as a Police Officer Recruit.
- Possession of a valid proper class motor vehicle operator's license as issued by any state at the time of appointment to the Police Officer Recruit class.
- Possession of a valid proper class motor vehicle operator's license as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania within 60 days of establishing Pennsylvania residency and/or prior to the expiration of the residency waiver and during tenure of employment as a Police Officer Recruit.
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