The State College Police Department provides police services to the nearly 50,000 residents of the Borough of State College and neighboring College and Harris Townships. State College is the home of the Pennsylvania State University, one of the largest universities in the eastern United States, providing a unique atmosphere in central Pennsylvania.
The job of a State College police officer demands a high degree of commitment and professionalism in order to provide necessary enforcement while understanding the nature of a “college town.” Over 60 sworn officers are employed in the Department, in addition to a non-uniformed complement of 15 employees.
Mission Statement
We, the members of the State College Police Department, are committed to being responsive to our community in the delivery of quality police services. Recognizing our responsibility to maintain order, while affording dignity and respect to every individual, our mission is to improve the quality of life in our jurisdiction through a community partnership which promotes safe and secure neighborhoods and business districts.
We will enforce the laws of this Commonwealth and of the communities we serve and will endeavor to identify and reduce citizens’ concerns regarding criminal activity, neighborhood deterioration, and continual nuisances. We will closely interact with the community and local government agencies, and engage in crime prevention, criminal apprehension, and other activities which might reduce concerns in the community.
Duties and Responsibilities
The State College Police Department is a service-oriented department, and our police officers perform a wide range of services related to public safety. New officers are generally assigned to the Patrol Division. Patrol duties include enforcing traffic laws, conducting investigations and field interrogations, responding to complaints, initiating arrests, issuing warnings and parking tickets, writing reports, and directing traffic.
Duties are often performed in adverse working conditions, including inclement weather, during long hours, on rotating shifts, or during life-threatening or stressful situations.
What We Look For
State College police officers must possess good initiative, sound judgment, motivation, compassion, and common sense. Applicants should be prepared to demonstrate those attributes during the screening process. Police officers must be prepared, assume a great deal of responsibility, act independently, endure stress, function in physical danger, communicate well with a diverse population, combine physical and mental resources, and maintain a professional, self-assured presence at all times.
Minimum Standards
Applicants must meet the following minimum standards established by the State College Civil Service Commission and approved by Borough Council:
Citizenship – Applicants must be United States citizens.
Age – Applicants must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age on or before the date of the written test.
Driver’s License – Applicants must possess a valid Pennsylvania driver’s license prior to appointment or, if not a resident of the Commonwealth, obtain a Pennsylvania operator’s license within 30 days of appointment.
Education – Applicants must be high school graduates or the equivalent.
Physical requirements – In general, the health of applicants must be excellent. Physical or medical conditions that could reasonably be expected to impair the performance of essential functions shall be cause for rejection. Weight must be in proportion to height. Visual acuity must be 20/200 or better in each eye without corrective lenses, and correctable to at least 20/20 in one eye and 20/40 in the other. Normal color vision is also essential.
Criminal record – Applicants must be free of conviction for crimes punishable by imprisonment for greater than 90 days. Less serious convictions, including traffic, will be examined and may be cause for rejection.
Salary and Benefits
Effective January 1, 2010, the starting wage for a police officer is $21.21 per hour for officers attending the training academy. Starting rate for officers who are already certified under Act 120 is $22.72 per hour. Wages are prescribed by the terms of an agreement between the Borough and the police officers' union, the State College Police Officers' Association. The agreement provides annual increases during the first four years of employment and then longevity pay in addition to base salary.
State College police officers enjoy an excellent benefit package. The Borough's health insurance includes dental, prescription drugs and vision care. Each police officer is provided with $75,000 of group life insurance coverage. Police officers are covered by the State College Borough Police Pension Plan.
Officers receive 13 paid holidays annually, plus 12 vacation days each year after 1 year of service, 15 days after 5 years, 18 days after 10 years, 21 days after 15 years, and 24 days after 20 years.
Tuition assistance is available to those officers who wish to earn college credits in a related degree program.
All uniforms and equipment are provided and maintained by the Borough.
Selection Process
Testing
Applicants must declare that they meet the age and citizenship requirements in order to take the written examination.
Written – Written testing determines the top applicants who will undergo additional testing; other applicants will receive no further consideration. Veteran’s preference credit claimed and due will
be added to the written test score of those who proceed in the selection process.
Interpersonal Skills – Top-scoring applicants will be scheduled for testing designed to assess each applicant’s interpersonal skills, with the highest scoring applicants to undergo further testing. All other applicants will receive no further consideration.
Oral Board – Top candidates undergo an Oral Board examination by the Civil Service Commission. Applicants who successfully pass the Oral Board will be placed on an eligibility list, ranked in order of their combined scores on the written and oral exams.
Appointment to Positions
For each available position in the State College Borough Police Department, the top three candidates on the eligibility list may be considered.
The Borough Manager appoints police officers upon recom-mendation by the Chief of Police and the Director of Human Resources.
An offer of appointment is contingent upon passing medical and psychological exams.
Training and Probation
Municipal Certification
Appointees who are not already certified for municipal law enforcement by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania are immediately scheduled for training leading to certification. State College officers are generally enrolled in a PennsylvaniaStatePoliceAcademy 20-week training program with classes Monday through Friday.
Field Training Officer (FTO) Program
Following completion of the prescribed certification training or immediately upon appointment if already certified, new officers are assigned to training officers for introduction to the State College
Police Department. While assigned to the field training officer (FTO) program, officers are trained in various subject areas. The trainee is then subjected to a practical examination by veteran police officers and supervisors who determine whether the new officer is adequately prepared for solo patrol. The FTO program usually takes 14 weeks to complete.
Probation
Each new officer serves on a probationary basis for the first year of service. The one-year period begins upon completion of the required training program for certification, or immediately upon appointment if already certified.
Employment Policy
The Borough of State College is an equal employment opportunity employer. The Borough does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, creed, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, union membership, disability, age, Vietnam veteran status, lifestyle, sex, or sexual orientation.
