Step 1: Employment Application
Adobe Acrobat Reader is needed to fill out the Police Officer application. Download Adobe Acrobat Reader HERE.
Download the application to your computer and open it with Acrobat. (Do not open the application with a web browser.)
Police Officer applications can be obtained online or in person at the Upper Merion Township Building, located at 175 West Valley Forge Road in King of Prussia, PA 19406 while the hiring process is active.
Step 2: Written Examination
Subsequent to applicants meeting the initial documentation requirements to apply for the position of Police Officer, applicants are scheduled to take the written examination.
The next examination date is TBD.
Step 3: Physical Fitness Qualification
Click here: Physical Agility Test & Waiver Forms
Step 4: Oral Board Interview
A panel made up of current police officers, civilian staff, and select members of the community will ask questions of each candidate. Each board member will then evaluate the candidate’s responses and each candidate will be ranked based on their performance.
Step 5: Background Investigation
We are looking for candidates with the highest moral and ethical standards. The background investigation must indicate that you have the necessary morality, honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity to join our ranks.
During the investigation, a member of our detective division will speak with the applicant’s employers, family, friends, associates, and neighbors. The investigator will also review your work history: speak to coworkers, teachers, and anyone else who can offer insight into your character and fitness for police work.
This process is designed to gain an understanding of the person you are and to exclude candidates who have demonstrated traits that are inconsistent with the highest values of the profession.
Step 6: Polygraph Examination
Honesty and credibility are vital characteristics for a police officer to possess in order to ensure the integrity of a police department. The polygraph examination is used as a tool to gain information and verify answers given during the application process. The results of the polygraph examination will be used as part of the hiring process in determining an applicant’s suitability for the position of Police Officer.
Step 7: Command Staff Interview
During this stage of the hiring process, each candidate will be asked questions by an oral panel consisting of the police department command staff.
Step 8: Psychological Evaluation
Each candidate will be evaluated by a psychologist on factors related to successful performance in the difficult and stressful job of policing.
Eligibility List
Once the eight steps of the hiring process are completed each remaining candidate will be placed on an eligibility list based on their performance throughout the hiring process. Based on need a conditional offer will be made to the qualifying candidates.
To learn more about the rewards and benefits of a career with us, or if you have specific questions, contact an Upper Merion Township Police Department recruiter at policehiring@umtownship.org
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
