Law Enforcement Prospects in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania offers a diverse array of law enforcement entities. The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) provides statewide law enforcement and is responsible for almost 85% of the state’s population. The newest PSP Cadet Class will graduate in January 2016, a welcomed 240 new troopers to join the 4,700 in the field. There are 40 municipalities nationwide with their own police departments operating in the Commonwealth. The City of Philadelphia employs around 6,500 uniformed officers, and its police force operates under the guidance of the Board of Commissioners who ultimately answer to the Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety. For example, Police Commissioner Charles H . Ramsey was one of three police chiefs who responded to the unrest following the death of Freddie Gray while in Baltimore City Police custody on April 12, 2015. Pennsylvania’s county-level law enforcement is comprised of Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs. Each county elects its sheriff. Each sheriff appoints deputy sheriffs to handle certain job duties, including courthouse security, prisoner transportation, and civil processes like warrants and eviction proceedings. Federal law enforcement agencies are also present in the commonwealth. The United States Postal Service, the United States Secret Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security factor into the law enforcement agencies present within the commonwealth.
Requirements for Law Enforcement Careers
Requirements for Law Enforcement Jobs in Pennsylvania
The requirements for most law enforcement positions in Pennsylvania are similar across all agencies. Generally, candidates must have a high school diploma and be at least 21 years old. Municipal police officers are the most common position, but many municipalities require candidates to work as a municipal police officer for two years before being assigned to the county sheriff’s office.
Law enforcement also requires physical fitness. Before being hired, prospective law enforcement employees must pass both physical fitness and swimming tests. A lack of physical fitness is one of the most frequently failed tests by law enforcement applicants. Physical tests include running, weight lifting, and swimming.
Background and character checks are a must for anyone considering a law enforcement career. Background checks include criminal history, drug and alcohol use, and educational verification.
Finally, law enforcement personnel in Pennsylvania are required to complete training academies approved by the Pennsylvania Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission.
How to Apply for Law Enforcement Jobs
Opportunities in local and state police forces are abundant in Pennsylvania. In Pennsylvania, state awards, on average, between 5,000 – 6,000 police-related jobs annually, and these jobs run the gamut from positions with the state police and state police detective force, to provincial police in the U.S. The same is true for metropolitan, municipal and township police forces, the Port Authority, Turnpike Commission and Game Commission.
While all law enforcement agencies require a background check and each has its own requirements, most law enforcement agencies follow a similar set of requirements and qualifications. These are:
Of course, if you want to work with one of the federal law enforcement agencies, the list of requirements will look different. Generally speaking, the federal government wants applicants who are between 22 and 37 years of age, but the requirements will vary from agency to agency, and the requirements for working with the FBI are different from the requirements for working with the CIA and the DHS.
The Application Process
While each agency is a bit different, in terms of qualifications and application processes, in all cases, applying to work with an American law enforcement agency begins with a completed application form that is submitted to the agency (or passed on to the agency via a third party vendor). In some cases, applicants must take a written exam to determine their qualifications. After that, qualified candidates may be invited in for a series of performance exams (these are typically psychological and/or physical exams) and then a personal interview (or series of interviews) typically follows to determine which applicants are the best fit. Once hired, officers are required to complete training at the prospective agency’s police academy.
The application process typically takes anywhere from a few months to a year—from the completion of the application to getting hired and starting the academy, and this can take even longer for federal positions, as federal positions are few and far between (hence the rigorous application process and the "tight" qualifications).
Police Academies and Other Training Programs in Pennsylvania
The PA Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission (MPOTEC), in the Pennsylvania Council of Chief of Police Association website (PACP), is responsible for overseeing police training programs in Pennsylvania. The certification process involves: (1) Establishing Minimum Standards of Training; (2) Technical assistance to municipalities; and (3) Monitor and Coordinate Municipal Police Programs. 49 Pa. Code Chapter 203. Upon completion of the certification process, an academy may be designated as Regional, Municipal, or Pre-Approved School. Section 203.11 sets forth the duties of a Regional or Municipal Academy.
The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency also provides guidance on training requirements of police personnel, including the Commission’s Standards on training requirements for full-time, part-time, and auxiliary police officers as outlined in the statewide Municipal Police Training Fund and Standards.
Training and education for recruits is consistent as recruits from various municipal police departments go to the same training academies. These academies include the following:
Pennsylvania State Police, completed by state officers, students of Pre-Approved Schools, and certified municipal police officers of towns under the patrol jurisdiction of the PA State Police.
Center County of the Central Pennsylvania College of Technology, attended by students of Central Pennsylvania College of Technology; officers from Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata, Blair, and Centre counties; and officers appointed by Conservation Districts.
Lehigh County, by the Mayor’s Special Police Academy, run by the Mayor’s Commission on Language and Cultural Community Services of the City of Allentown, which encompasses Lehigh and Northampton Counties and incorporates the Allentown Police Department, Easton Police Department, and Bethlehem Bureau of Police.
Allegheny County, operated by the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office. As part of indoctrination into the Allegheny County Police Academy, recruits are required to attend the Municipal Police Basic Training Class 720 hours in length.
Bucks County, by the Bucks County Police Chiefs Association. The Montgomery County Municipal Police Academy is attended by officers from Montgomery County municipal police departments, civilian students, officers from other counties who have been admitted by the court, officers who receive tuition support, students from Bucks County and Chester County, and officers from the Pennsylvania State Police.
Career Growth for Law Enforcement Officers
Recruiting law enforcement officers may be at a standstill across the country, but for current officers and those who pass the physical, cognitive and psychological exams at the hiring stages, successful law enforcement careers are going strong. A whole host of opportunity for advancement into specialized units aimed at protecting aide the US Department of Homeland Security are available for those who notch their badges and focus on their careers. In Pennsylvania, after 18 months of service as a patrol officer, plus completion of the Act 120 course or equivalent academy training, officers are eligible to apply to become detectives. Officers must meet minimum testing requirements and pass oral assessments to transfer into specific special divisions after their tenure increases. This includes specialized positions like K9, gang, internal affairs, and narcotics . Career opportunities for those in special units, as well as those considered for promotion within the police ranks, are plentiful, including potentially rising to the rank of captain, lieutenant, and sergeant. Police are additionally able to progress their education by pursuing certification as a private detective, forensic technician, polygraph examiner, or criminal investigator. In addition to these promotional opportunities, officers who work for larger police departments in Pennsylvania are able to earn additional salary boosts from their duties on covert teams, on loan to other agencies, or temporarily assigned as full-time investigators. The open doors for Pennsylvania law enforcement officers are plenty, and superiors will encourage and support requests for education and training for those who meet and exceed job performance expectations.
Salary and Benefits for Pennsylvania Cops
The base salary earned by most law enforcement officers in Pennsylvania is competitive with other mid-Atlantic employers. The average entry-level salary for officers in PA is $51,872, trailing the national average of $59,749, and falling slightly behind the New York average of $53,736. Salaries tend to be highest for troopers, which the Bureau of Police Communications & Information lists at $60,640 for 1st year employees. The 1st year salary for a New Jersey trooper is $62,000.
Most police departments in Pennsylvania offer similar benefit packages. All employees are offered basic medical and dental insurance with 100% of premiums covered by the employer. Most municipalities also provide full payment for all uniforms and equipment. Officers are eligible to sign up for life and AD&D insurance, which is paid for by the municipality. Many municipalities also offer tuition reimbursement. Once they complete their first year of service, many municipalities allow officers to immediately contribute to a subsidized pension program.
The Ups and Downs of Working in Law Enforcement
Pursuing a career in law enforcement is a big decision that comes with its own unique challenges and rewards. Law enforcement officers play a crucial role in their communities, but they also have the potential to encounter danger and challenging situations on a daily basis.
Some of the most common challenges faced by law enforcement officers in Pennsylvania include:
Despite the risk and challenges that come with working as a law enforcement officer, many choose to pursue this career path because they understand how important it is to their communities . A career in law enforcement is not only rewarding for the strong impact they have on their communities, but it can also lead to many personal and professional growth opportunities. Officers understand their work is important for maintaining peace in their communities, working with others to improve intergroup relationships, and maintaining respect for the law and differences between people of all backgrounds. By overcoming the various challenges they face, law enforcement officers have the potential to make their communities better places to live, which is a rewarding experience.