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PRESENTLY NOT ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

EMPLOYMENT

The Township of Derry Police Department is currently comprised of 37 sworn officers. The following employment information is intended to provide prospective employees with an idea of what is involved in the application and hiring process for the position of Police Officer with the Township of Derry Police Department.

Purpose

The Township of Derry Police Department's officer selection process is designed to insure that the Police Department has an efficient, effective, and fair selection process that results in the appointment of those individuals who best possess the skills, knowledge, and abilities necessary for an effective Police agency.

Elements and Activities of the Selection Process

A. The Township of Derry Police Department's recruitment and selection process are designed for finding and appointing the highest quality of individuals to serve as Police Officers while adhering to the guidelines of applicable law, i.e:

  1. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
  2. Title VII-Civil Rights Act of 1964.
  3. Age Discrimination Act of 1967.
  4. Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, as amended.
  5. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
  6. Municipal Police Officers Education and Training Commission (MPOETC) Guide to the Hiring of Police Officers.

B. Advertisement

  • In order to reach all segments of the population, both locally and regionally, the Township of Derry Police Department will advertise in at least 4 newspapers.
    • Initial advertising will be managed through the cooperative testing agreement with the Dauphin County Chiefs of Police Association.
    • Advertising will be arranged so as to market the testing process to the broadest range of candidates through both local and regional newspaper media.

      C. Applications

      1. Applications are designed to be non-discriminatory.
      2. Applications are to be picked up in person by the applicant or by their designee at the Township Personnel Office.
      3. Applications are to be returned by the advertised deadline date.
      4. Normally the applicant has approximately one month to submit application after advertisement.

      D. Position requirements

      1. Applicants for the position of Township of Derry Police Officer must be capable of possessing requisite skills, knowledge and abilities.
      2. Officers, at the time of their appointment, must be at least 20 years of age.
      3. Their weight must be proportionate to height.
      4. Must be of good moral character.
      5. Must be physically able to perform the duties of the position of Township of Derry Police Officer.
      6. Officers, at the time of their appointment, must be a resident of Pennsylvania.
      7. Visual acuity acceptable for performing all functions and responsibilities of a Police Officer.

      E. Written Examination.

      1. All applicants will be invited, in writing, to undergo a written examination conducted in cooperation with the Dauphin County Chiefs of Police Association.
      2. The Written examination will be a certifiable validated test.
      3. Candidates will receive written correspondence with test results within 30 days of the test.

    F. Additional weighted points added to test score.

    1. In order to acknowledge personal accomplishments, veterans, and Equal Opportunity considerations, additional points are added to test score results for the following circumstances:
    • Act 120 Certification
    • Veterans Preference
    • College Educational Level
    • Police Experience

    G. Physical Fitness Testing.

    1. Physical agility testing is administered by cooperating members of the Dauphin County Chiefs of Police Association and is managed by certified fitness instructors.
    2. The Physical Fitness Test is related to the physical duties required by a Police Officer of the Township of Derry Police Department.
    3. Prior to engaging in the Physical Fitness Test, the candidate must complete a Liability Exemption Form.
    4. Applicants must successfully pass all elements of the Physical Fitness test to be admitted to the written test.

    H. Oral Interview Review Board.

    1. Candidates who successfully pass the Physical Fitness Test and written exam may be notified in writing of an invitation to an Oral Interview Board.
    2. An Oral Interview Board consists of, at a minimum, the Chief of Police, Assistant Chief of Police, Sergeant, and a Police Officer.
    3. Each candidate will be asked identical questions and be judged on their responses, appearance, alertness, and judgement.
    4. Each member of the Oral Review Board will score each candidate separately. The candidate’s oral interview score will be the average of the scores submitted by the Board's members.

    I. Subsequent Oral Interviews.

    1. Based on the total scoring, a minimum of three top candidates for each available position will be requested to return for follow up oral interviews with the Chief of Police, Assistant Chief of Police, or others designated by the Chief of Police.

    J. Polygraph Examination.

    1. Top candidates will be asked to submit to polygraph examination.
    • Polygraph examination must be administered by a trained and certified Polygraphist.
    • Each candidate will be provided with a pre-polygraph test questionnaire indicating the areas from which the polygraph questions will be drawn. Questions will be consistent with compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
    • The use of the polygraph in the police selection process should be considered only as an investigative aid.
    • No candidate shall be denied employment solely on the basis of a polygraph examination.
    • In the event that a candidate fails to pass a polygraph examination, the candidate will be offered a second polygraph examination.
    • K. Background Investigation.

      1. An extensive background investigation will be conducted on each of the top candidates.
      • Candidates will be requested to complete a release of information form for signature.
      • Background investigations will include at a minimum:

      (1) Verification of qualifying credentials.
      (2) Areview of any criminal record.
      (3) Verification of at leastthree personal references.

      1. Backgrounds off all candidates will be conducted my members of the Township of Derry Police Department's Criminal Investigation Section. All members are trained in collecting the necessary information to complete the background examination.
      2. All background investigations will include a certified credit history.
      3. Background investigations completed on any candidate will be maintained for at least three years.
      • Records maintained in a secured file controlled by the Assistant Chief of Police.

      L. Offer of employment.

      1. Successful candidates will be given a written offer of employment conditional of a medical and psychological examination.
      • Medical examination conducted by a physician selected by the department to certify the general health of the candidate.
      • Psychological examination is conducted by a department chosen psychologist to determine the candidates emotional stability.

      Records of the psychological and medical examination maintained in a secured file controlled by the Assistant Chief of Police.

      M. Oath of Office

      1. Oath of Office administered.

      N. Probationary Period

      1. No less than one year probation.



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