Selection of Police Officers

The search for and selection of police officers in Tredyffrin Township proceeds along the following:

Steps #1 through #10 of the selection process will take between two and four months. Any or all portions of the testing process may be video-taped.

STEP #1 Filing an Application:
Print the two-page application for employment. Answer all questions on the application completely and honestly. Falsification or deliberate omission of any of the requested information may cause disqualification. A filing fee of $35.00 must accompany the application. Checks should be made out to "Tredyffrin Township." No cash will be accepted. Applications may be mailed to: Superintendent of Police / Tredyffrin Township Police Department / 1100 DuPortail Road / Berwyn, PA 19312-1079.

STEP #2 Receipt of Application:
All applications must be returned to the Tredyffrin Township Police Department by the deadline stated on the instruction sheet. Timely receipt of the application qualifies the applicant for the Police Physical Performance Assessment.

STEP #3 Police Physical Performance Assessment:
A physical performance assessment will be administered by the Tredyffrin Township Police Department. Test date, time and location will be listed on the instruction sheet. This test consists of a series of events listed later in this document. Applicants are required to successfully complete all events to qualify for the next step of the selection process. Tredyffrin Township is not responsible for any accident or injury which may be sustained by any applicant while performing any of the events of the physical performance assessment. By participating in the test, all applicants agree to assume liability for any accident or injury to their person.

STEP #4 Written Test:
The written test will be administered to all applicants by the Tredyffrin Township Police Department at the time and location stated on the instruction sheet. You will receive written notification of the results by mail in two to four weeks.

STEP #5 Oral Interview:
Applicants who reach this step will be interviewed by an Oral Interview Board composed of police personnel selected by the Superintendent of Police. At the time of the interview, the applicant must bring the following documents to be submitted to the Board: Copy of birth certificate, copy of high school diploma and transcript of high school record, copy of college transcript and degree (unless transcript states that you have graduated), copy of Discharge of Separation from military service, when applicable, and proof of naturalization if you are a naturalized citizen. In addition, three letters of reference from persons (other than relatives and previous employers) who can attest to your moral character and fitness to be a police officer. These must be brought with you to the interview. These letters must be addressed to the Superintendent of Police and bear the reference's signature.

FAILURE TO BRING ANY OF THESE DOCUMENTS OR LETTERS OF REFERENCE TO THE INTERVIEW WILL DISQUALIFY THE APPLICANT FROM THE SELECTION PROCESS.

Applicants will be given the opportunity to make corrections to any documents submitted, or to the application form, prior to the oral interview.

STEP #6 Polygraph Examination:
This test will be administered to applicants reaching this phase of the hiring process. The polygraph test is designed to indicate deception on a pre-determined set of questions relating to potential employment as a police officer with the Tredyffrin Township Police Department. A list of 15 candidates will be prepared after completing the Polygraph phase of the testing process. This list will be ranked based on the completed phases of the testing process.

STEP #7 Background Investigation:
The Tredyffrin Township Police Department will conduct an extensive background investigation on remaining applicants. Areas to be probed include previous employment, military record, education record, credit rating, criminal history, current or recent use of illegal drugs, accident and driving record, etc.

STEP #8 Conditional Offer of Employment:
Conditional employment is offered after the applicant has successfully completed all previous stages of testing. Hiring is contingent upon successful completion of psychological and physical examinations and selection by the Superintendent of Police.

STEP #9 Physical Examination:
Applicants will be notified to report to a physician selected by the Tredyffrin Township Police Department. The physical examination is based on the physical requirements of job tasks specific to the position of police officer.

STEP #10 Psychological Examination:
Applicants will be notified to report to a psychologist or psychiatrist selected by the Tredyffrin Township Police Department. Results of this examination are supplied to the Tredyffrin Township Police Department.

STEP #11 Polygraph:
This test is designed to update information since first administered plus detection of deception related to current and recent use of illegal drugs and previously hidden physical disabilities.

STEP #12 Selection Period:
The highest ranked applicants who reached this step, and all protected class persons who have successfully completed all phases of the testing process, will be interviewed by the Tredyffrin Township Superintendent of Police. Successful applicants will be appointed to a two-year probationary status.

STEP #13 Act 120 Training Course:
Applicants who are appointed to probationary status will be required to complete a basic training course conducted in accordance with Act 120, PA C.S.A. After successful completion of the Police Academy Basic Training, the probationary officer will successfully complete a Field Training and Evaluation Program.

STEP #14 Re-application:
If an applicant is not selected, the applicant can re-apply and will be permitted to go through each stage of the process, as often as desired. If special accommodations are required to participate in any phase of the selection process, please contact Tredyffrin Township Police Department at least two weeks prior to the initiation of that phase in which accommodations are required.