EMPLOYMENT PROCEDURE

CHELTENHAM TOWNSHIP POLICE DEPARTMENT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

THE CHELTENHAM TOWNSHIP POLICE DEPARTMENT IS NO LONGER ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR ENTRY LEVEL POLICE OFFICERS. THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS WAS FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 4TH, 2009.

PLEASE CHECK OUT THE "Learn more about choosing a career in Law Enforcement" and the "Minority recruitment video for Police Officers in Montgomery County, PA" links below.  

A Call To Serve

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Minority Recruitment Video For Police Officers in Montgomery County, PA

Why you should apply for a position with the Cheltenham Police Department

The Cheltenham Police Department offers a competitive employment package including the following:

           Competitive Salary

Starting Salaries for

 2008: $54,502.70

 2009: $56,819.06  

Reach Full Pay in 24 months and progress to $71,023.83 in 2009 before overtime, shift differential and longevity.

There is NO residency requirement

Excellent Medical Benefits for you and your eligible dependents

Post Retirement Medical Benefits for you and your Spouse

Tuition Reimbursement

Special Unit Opportunities

Room for Advancement

Paid Sick Leave

Prescription Plan for you and your eligible dependents

Three year Deferred Retirement Option Program (D.R.O.P.)

Dental plan coverage for you and your dependents

How to apply for a position with the Cheltenham Police Department

CHELTENHAM TOWNSHIP POLICE DEPARTMENT

APPLICATION PROCEDURE FOR ENTRY LEVEL POLICE OFFICER

When there is an opening for the position of Police Officer the Township will announce an entry level examination.  The examination date will be posted on cable channel 42, the Township Web Page, and advertised in the newspapers. 

All candidates pay a fee of $35.00 to take the exam and may apply for one or all of the participating municipalities for which they meet the minimum hiring requirements.

The minimum requirements for appointment as a Cheltenham Township Police Officer including the policy regarding tattoos are as follows:

Must be a US citizen

Twenty-One years of age by date of appointment

High School Diploma or GED

Must possess a valid drivers license

Must be of good moral character

Tattoos: Applicants must be free of tattoos and objectionable piercings on the face, ears, neck, or any objectionable tattoos that are visible when wearing the Cheltenham Township Police Department uniform, including a short sleeve uniform shirt.

WRITTEN EXAMINATION

Candidates must pass the written examination with a minimum score of 70%.  The written examination is 60% of the final grade and you must have one the top one hundred scores including ties on the written examination to continue in the process.

PHYSICAL AGILITY TEST

Candidates scoring high enough in the written examination will be invited to the physical agility test conducted by members of the Montgomery County Consortium of Communities.  The test consists of four age and gender normed events as directed by the Municipal Police Officers Training and Education Commission (MPOETC).  The events are:

Ø     Bench press (MPOETC Standard)

Ø     Sit ups (MPOETC Standard)

Ø     300 meter run (MPOETC Standard)

Ø     1.5 mile run (MPOETC Standard)

Municipal Police Officers' Training and Education Commission (MPOTEC) Link 

The test is graded pass/fail and candidates must successfully negotiate all phases of the test to pass and continue in the process.  Failure to complete any event shall remove the candidate from the process.  In accordance with training commission regulations all candidates will be allowed one attempt at each event.  Candidates will be photographed, and weighed at this testing process.  A valid photo ID is also required. 

PERSONAL DATA QUESTIONNAIRE

Applicant’s who successfully pass the initial written examination and physical agility test shall be issued a Personal Data Questionnaire (PDQ) with instructions as to the suspense date for return to the police department.  Any PDQ not returned by the specified date will not be processed resulting in the candidate being removed from the hiring process.  The PDQ shall contain inquiries and requests for information relative to the following areas. All responses on the PDQ are subject to verification by the background investigation unit and polygraph examination.  Any deception or omission in the PDQ is sufficient grounds for removal from the hiring process;

• Personal and family information;
• Military service and separation;
• Education;
• Employment History;
• Criminal History including narcotics history;
• Credit History;
• Associates and references;
• Driving and traffic accident records
• Other sources deemed necessary by the Background Unit Investigator

 Candidates will be required to sign the following release forms, which will be copied and distributed as needed for the background investigation.

Release of Information

Release of Financial Information

ORAL EXAMINATION

Candidates who successfully complete the physical agility test will be scheduled for the oral examination conducted by a panel of examiners designated by the Township’s Civil Service Commission. Applicants must pass this examination with a minimum score of seventy percent (70%) to continue in the hiring process.  This examination accounts for 40% of the final grade. 

CERTIFIED LIST

At the conclusion of the oral interviews the Civil Service Commission will submit the list of certified candidates to the township.  The certified list is active for eighteen months.

VETERANS PREFERENCE

Candidates who are honorably discharged military veterans will have ten points added to their final score.  Candidates must submit a copy of their DD-214 long form to be eligible for veteran’s preference. 

ACT 120 CERTIFICATION

Candidates on the certified list with a current act 120 certification may be given preference for hiring regardless of their rank number on the list.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION

The background investigation is a comprehensive investigation of the candidate’s background and history.  When the Background Investigation Unit is prepared to initiate candidate background investigations the unit will schedule an interview with the number of applicants deemed necessary to address the current need.  During the course of this interview the applicant shall verify the accuracy of the information in the PDQ by reading and initialing each page.  The applicant’s signature acknowledges all information contained in the PDQ is true and correct.  Candidates will be fingerprinted at this process.   

POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION

Conducted by a certified polygraphist as selected by the Chief of Police.

CREDIT HISTORY CHECK

Conducted by a credit reporting agency selected by the township.

FINAL INTERVIEWS

Candidates must satisfactorily complete interviews with the Chief of Police and designated members of the command staff as well as the Township Manager in order to be eligible to receive a conditional offer of employment. 

PRE-EMPLOYMENT TESTING

Any candidate receiving a conditional offer of employment must pass a psychological and pre-employment physical exam including a drug screen in order to be appointed.

APPOINTMENT

Candidates currently certified under act 120 may be appointed directly with no further testing or training requirements and may be sworn in and begin their one year probationary period. 

Candidates in need of ACT 120 certification will be required to attend and complete a certified police academy designated by the Chief of Police.  A reading comprehension test is required for admission into the academy.  Upon graduation from the academy the new police officer will be sworn in and begin a one year probation period.   

THE CHELTENHAM TOWNSHIP POLICE DEPARTMENT

IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER