How to Become a Philadelphia Police Officer
1) Start by earning a 2-year or 4-year degree. (not required, but having a degree will set you apart from other applicants during the initial recruitment as well as when you test for promotions within the Philadelphia Police) The most common degree for a police officer is a criminal justice degree.
2) Review the additional requirements below to make sure you qualify.
3) Contact the Philadelphia Police Department Recruiting Officer for application materials, call 215-683-2677
The Philadelphia Police Department
The Philadelphia Police Department is one of the most advanced in the country. The Philadelphia PD employs over 6,600 officers. Philadelphia has consistently rated as having one of the lowest major crime rates of the top 10 largest cities in the U.S. The Philadelphia Police Department is one of the most hi-tech crime fighting units in the country.
Philadelphia Police Officer Job Description
Philadelphia police officers enforce laws and conduct criminal investigations which include interviewing suspects and collecting evidence. Officers also patrol the streets and waters of Philadelphia by foot, horse, boat, car and motorcycle responding to emergencies, directing traffic, testify in court and related duties.
Requirements for Becoming a Police Officer with the Philadelphia Police
The Philadelphia Police require all applicants to have resided in the Philadelphia city limits for an entire year prior to being hired. Active duty military candidates must live within the city limits for the six month after being hired. All applicants must have a valid driver's license, be a US citizen, have proof of high school graduation or GED scores, most Philadelphia police officers are starting their college degrees or going back to finish a college degree, applicants must be at least 19 years of age and no older than 40 years of age at time of appointment (defined as the date at which new recruits attend their first day at the Philadelphia Police Academy). Applicants must also pass a demanding physical fitness test, reading test, and pass an in-depth background investigation.
Possessing a college degree will set you apart from other candidates and possibly get you hired at a higher salary than someone without a degree. A college degree will also help you get promotions within the Philadelphia Police Department or in any other agency you choose to join during your career. Most police officers concur that having a degree in criminal justice or related field makes them better police officers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics actually states that those applicants with college training in criminal justice, law enforcement, or police science should have the best opportunities.
Find Online Criminal Justice Programs Now
Find Criminal Justice Programs Offered at Schools in Philadelphia
Philadelphia Police Officer Salary and Job Outlook
A Philadelphia police recruit will earn $37,001 or $1423.12 every two weeks while attending the Philadelphia Police Academy. Once you have graduated from the academy you will be earning $39,568 or $1,521.85 every two weeks. Paid Holidays and sick days are not included in the salary numbers above. You will also have healthcare benefits and an excellent retirement plan available to you.
Request free information from the fully accredited online schools below and see how a criminal justice degree can help you succeed in a Philadelphia police officer career.

Online Criminal Justice Degrees
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University of Phoenix Online: University of Phoenix will prepare you for careers in the field of criminal justice. University of Phoenix is the largest private university in the country and is dedicated to their students.
Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice
BS in Criminal Justice
BS in Organizational Security & Management
MS in Administration of Justice and Security
Information Systems Security Certificate

American InterContinental University:
BSCJ - Law Enforcement Associates in Criminal Justice Administration
Bachelor's - Computer Forensics
BSCJ - Forensic Science
BSCJ - Special Populations

Kaplan University:
AAS in Criminal Justice
AASCJ - Corrections, Law Enforcement, Private Security
BS in Criminal Justice
BSCJ - Law Enforcement, Computer Crime, Corrections, Homeland Security...

Rasmussen College Online: Locations throughout the Country - Offering Online Programs
Certificate - Police Officer Education
Associate's in Accounting - Financial Investigation
Associate's Criminal Justice
Associate's Paralegal Studies
Bachelor's Criminal Justice

South University: Online
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice - Crime Scene Investigation
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice - Cyber Crime
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice - Homeland Security
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice - Juvenile Justice

Lincoln College Online:
BS in Criminal Justice and The Study of the Criminal Mind
Request information from Lincoln College to learn more.

Capella University:
BS in Criminal Justice
BS in Public Safety - Emergency Management
MS in Criminal Justice
MS in Public Safety - Emergency Management
MS in Public Safety Leadership
PhD Programs - Criminal Justice, Emergency Management, and Public Safety Leadership

Colorado Technical University Online:
AS in Criminal Justice - Stonecliffe College Online
AS in Paralegal Studies
BS in Criminal Justice
MS in Management - Criminal Justice

Everest University Online :
Criminal Investigations Associate's Degree
Homeland Security Associate's Degree
Homeland Security Bachelor's Degree
Criminal Justice Associate's Degree
Criminal Justice Bachelor's Degree
Paralegal Associate's
Paralegal Bachelor's

Herzing University:
AS in Criminal Justice
BS in Criminal Justice
BS in Criminal Justice - Homeland Security
BS in Homeland Security

Keiser University:
AA in Criminal Justice
Associate's in Homeland Security
Associate's in Paralegal Studies
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice
Bachelor's in Homeland Security
Bachelor's in Legal Studies
Master's in Criminal Justice

Virginia College:
AA in Criminal Justice
Associate's in Paralegal Studies
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice
Master's in Criminal Justice
Master's in Cybersecurity

Walden University Online: Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association. The Higher Learning Commission is one of six regional accrediting bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
BS in Criminal Justice - Homeland Security
BS in Criminal Justice - Management & Administration
BS in Criminal Justice - Computer Info Syst & Security
BS in Criminal Justice - Crime & Criminals
BS in Criminal Justice - Human Services for CJ
Request information about a Walden University degree program.

Westwood College:
Bachelor Degree - Criminal Justice
Bachelor's Degree - Information Systems Security

Schools Offering On-Campus Criminal Justice Programs in Pennsylvania
Request Information from the School(s) by Selecting a Campus Location

University of Phoenix:
Programs Offered: Associate, Bachelor's | Criminal Justice Administration
Click a Campus Location to Request Program Information =>
Harrisburg, Philadelphia, Levittown, Wayne, Pittsburgh, and Washington.

Everest Institute:
Programs Offered: Diploma, Associate's | Criminal Justice, Paralegal, Legal Administrative Secretary
Request information by clicking on a campus location => Pittsburgh or Rochester, NY.

Central Pennsylvania College:
Programs Offered: Certficate, Associate's, Bachelor's | Criminal Justice, Criminal Justice Admin, Forensic Criminalistics, Intelligence Analysis, Legal Studies
Click a campus location to request program information => Harrisburgh/Summerdale.

Kaplan Career Institute:
Programs Offered: Associate's | Criminal Justice, Criminal Justice/Cybercrime, Legal Office Administration
Click the Location to Request Information Today => Pittsburgh.

McCann School of Business & Technology:
Programs Offered: Associate's | Criminal Justice, Legal Office Technology, Paralegal
Click a Location to Request Program Information =>
Pottsville, Hazleton, Sunbury, and Scranton

YTI Career Institute:
Programs Offered: Diploma | Criminal Justice
Click a Location to Request Program Information => Altoona
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