Swatara Township - Police Officer (Open Application period 2025)

Swatara Township Police Civil Service Regulations and Process

The Swatara Township Police Department is opening its application period for the position of Police Officer.  The closing of the application period will be determined by the Superintendent of Police at a later date.  There may not be notice prior to the closing of the application period.

Those candidates who qualify per the Swatara Township Civil Service regulations and apply to the Swatara Township Police Department will be eligible for further processing and examinations.

Additional examinations, including but not limited to an intensive background investigation and polygraph examination will be conducted on finalists for the position. In addition, all candidates who are offered conditional employment with the Township shall successfully complete a physical examination, psychological examination and meet M.P.O.E.T.C. physical fitness requirements for entrance into the Police Academy. Applicants must have reached their twenty-first (21st) birthday before the deadline for submitting the completed initial application for the written exam. (*Since this is an open application period and no test date has been established, there is currently no deadline for submitting the completed initial application for a written exam.  When a test date is established, the application deadline will be applied to this application process. As per our civil service regulations applicants under the age of 21 as of the deadline will be unable to proceed with the testing process.)

Every applicant for any position in the Police Department shall possess a diploma from an accredited high school or a graduate equivalency diploma. In addition, every applicant must be a citizen of the United States, be physically and mentally fit to perform the full duties of a police officer and be of good moral character. Applicants must be licensed to operate a motor vehicle in this Commonwealth and agree to remain with the Township police force for a minimum period of two years (*subject to the probationary period and all other disciplinary and other township rules and regulations). All appointments are provisional for twelve (12) months: initial salary is $50,000.00 in 2025 ($52,000.00 in 2026) per year with insurance, retirement and other fringe benefits provided. Officer salaries are negotiated between the Township and the Police Association. During the final year of our current contract in 2027 the salary for an Officer who is between 4 and 5 years of service is $111,864.86, without the inclusion of overtime.

All equipment and uniforms will be provided. ONLY THOSE APPLICANTS who successfully passed the written and physical fitness tests and who were notified of their continued eligibility in the process and who wish to continue the interview process with the Swatara Township Police Department will be requested to fill out the long application.

PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST:

The date for Physical Fitness Testing will be determined upon the closing of the application period.  Applicants will be notified of the date, time and location at that time.

Please note that the following forms must be signed and brought with you to the Physical Fitness Test:

• Informed Consent Form
• Physician Statement Form - Completed & signed by a Physician

WRITTEN TEST:

The date of the Written Test will be determined upon the closing of the application period.  Applicants will be notified of the date, time and location at that time.

The National Police Officer Selection Test (POST) will be used as the written exam. Please follow this link for a STUDY GUIDE: https://www.applytoserve.com/study/

Swatara Township is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All persons meeting the general requirements are encouraged to apply.