The 2022 application window closed Friday, June 3, 2022 at 3pm. Check back here for future application information.
The Bethlehem Police department is looking for the best and brightest recruits to become members of the 8th largest police department in the State of Pennsylvania. The Bethlehem Police Department offers competitive salaries and benefits as well as the chance to serve others. Whether you’re local or from outside of the Lehigh Valley, a range of rewarding and fulfilling career opportunities await you at BPD. Please take a few moments to find out more information on this website about the rewards and benefits of becoming a Bethlehem Police Officer.
Application Requirements
The following information is a guideline of what is required and expected of applicants for the Bethlehem Police Department. This information, although thorough, is not all-inclusive.
I. ELEMENTS OF THE SELECTION PROCESS:
A. Application – This form gathers information about the applicant to determine eligibility and history. The form requests:
1. Personal information: name, address, contact information, citizenship and driving information
2. Education information: High School, Vocational & Trade schools, Community Colleges, Colleges/Universities, Graduate Schools, and any other Post High School education
3. Military Service
4. Police experience
5. References
6. Civil Service Applicant Questionnaire
7. Civil Service Voucher (must be printed and notarized)
8. Survey for statistical gathering (optional)
B. Written Exam
1. Applicants will be notified of the location and specific time to appear.
2. The written exam consists of 100 questions relating to general knowledge, observation abilities, reading comprehension and legal knowledge. The exam is administered by McCann Associates, www.mccanntesting.com.
C. Physical Fitness Test (see Physical Fitness Test Battery) – Appendix 2
1. Applicants will be notified of the location and specific time to appear.
2. Note: there is one test for application to the Bethlehem Police Department and a separate test for application to a Pennsylvania Police Academy. Both tests are explained below. Applicants who are Act 120 certified will not have to take the academy test. The physical Fitness Test will be administered by Joseph Blackburn, Executive Director, PA Chiefs of Police Association.
D. Background Investigation – The background investigation consists of an investigation conducted by the Criminal Investigations Division of the Bethlehem Police Department. Applicants shall complete a background questionnaire that will cover the following topics:
- Personal information
- Marital and family information
- Financial information
- Motor vehicle information
- Driving record
- Military service
- Education history
- Criminal history
- Employment history
- General information
- Law enforcement experience
- Polygraph questions
E. Administrative Interview: Applicants will be interviewed by the Bethlehem Police Department command staff. Applicants will be questioned about information gathered throughout the application process.
F. Certification by Police Civil Service Board: Information gathered from the application process is submitted to the Civil Service Board. The Civil Service Board reviews the information and determines if the applicant will be certified or rejected for employment. Depending on the cause for rejection, applicants who are not certified by the Board may reapply during the next testing schedule.
G. Polygraph Exam: Applicants will take a polygraph examination reviewing all information gathered during the application process and background investigation.
H. Psychological Exam: Applicants will take a psychological exam to evaluate their capacity for police work.
I. Medical Exam: Applicants will have a medical examination to determine their physical condition and eligibility to perform police work. The medical standards are the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission standards. Additional information can be found at www.mpoetc.state.pa.us.
1. Physical Condition
i. Applicants must be free from the addictive or excessive use of alcohol, drugs or illegal controlled substances which will be determined using current laboratory testing procedures.
ii. Applicants must be able to withstand significant cardiovascular stress.
iii. Applicants must be free from any debilitating conditions such as tremor, incoordination, convulsion, fainting episodes, or other neurological conditions which may affect the applicant’s ability to perform as a police officer.
iv. Applicants must be free from any other significant physical limitations or disabilities which would, in the physician’s opinion, impair the applicant’s ability to perform the duties of a police officer or complete the required minimum training requirements.
v. Applicants cannot be missing any extremities, including digits, which would prevent performance of required police duties or meeting minimum training requirements.
vi. Blood pressure, heart condition and lung capacity and performance must fall in the normal range.
2. Hearing
i. The applicant must be able to distinguish a normal whisper at a distance of 15 feet. The test will be independently conducted for each ear, while the tested ear is facing away from the speaker and the other ear is firmly covered with the palm of the hand. The applicant is prohibited from using a hearing aid during the testing. If the applicant fails the whisper test, a decibel audio test is required.
3. Vision
i. The applicant must have distant vision of at least 20/70, uncorrected, in the stronger eye, correctable to 20/20; and at least 20/200, uncorrected, in the weaker eye, correctable to at least 20/40; and must be free of any significant visual abnormality.
ii. The applicant must also have normal depth perception and normal color perception.
II. APPROXIMATE EXPECTED DURATION OF THE SELECTION PROCESS:
Approximately six (6) to twenty-four (24) months.
III. POLICY ON REAPPLICATION:
Reapplication is permitted once the current eligibility list has expired. (Maximum two-year cycle, see Civil Service Rules)
This information is intended as a basic guide for police applicants. For more detailed information, consult the Civil Service Rules, or contact:
City of Bethlehem
Human Resources Bureau
10 East Church St
Bethlehem, PA 18018
610-865-7015