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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Short on Time? Click Here to request free information from all Criminal Justice Degree Programs.

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
Click Here for specific program information today!

Abilene Christian University: (Online Programs)
Master's in Conflict Resolution
Grad Certificate in Conflict Resolution
Click Here for informationabout Abilene Christian University's programs

American InterContinental University:
Associates in Criminal Justice Administration
Bachelor's - Computer Forensics
BSCJ - Law Enforcement
BSCJ - Forensic Science
BSCJ - Special Populations
Click Here for information
about AIU's programs.

Berkeley College Online: (Online Programs)
Associate's in Justice Studies - Criminal Justice
Bachelor's in Justice Studies - Criminal Justice
Click Here for information about the above programs and Berkeley College today!

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
Click Here for information
about Capella University's programs.

Central Pennsylvania College: (Online Programs)
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice Administration
Click Here for information about Central Pennsylvania College's program.

Colorado Technical University Online:
AS in Criminal Justice - Stonecliffe College Online
AS in Paralegal Studies
BS in Criminal Justice
MS in Management - Criminal Justice
Click Here for information about the CTU programs today.

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
Click Here for information about Everest University's online programs

Kaplan University:
AAS in Criminal Justice
AASCJ - Corrections, Law Enforcement, Private Security
BS in Criminal Justice
BSCJ - Law Enforcement, Computer Crime, Corrections, Homeland Security...
MS in Criminal Justice
MS in Criminal Justice Global Issues
Click Here for information about these Kaplan University programs.

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
Click Here for information about Keiser Univerity's programs today!

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
Click Here for information about Rasmussen College's programs today.

Tiffin University: (Online Programs)
Associate's in Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement
Bachelor of Criminal Justice - Justice Administration
Master's in Criminal Justice - Crime Analysis
Master's in Criminal Justice - Criminal Behavior
Master's in Criminal Justice - Homeland Security Administration
Master's in Criminal Justice - Justice Administration
Click Here for information about Tiffin University's programs today!

Virginia College Online:
AA in Criminal Justice
Associate's in Paralegal Studies
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice
Master's in Criminal Justice
Master's in Cybersecurity
Click Here for information about Virginia College's programs today!

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

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

Everest Institute: Request information by clicking on a campus location. Pittsburgh and Harrisburgh.
Programs Offered: Diploma, Associate's | Criminal Justice, Paralegal, Legal Administrative Secretary

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

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

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

Pittsburgh Technical Institute: Click a Location to Request Program Information => North Fayette. Click the campus location to request program information today.
Programs Offered: Associate's | Criminal Justice - Safety & Security, IT - Network Security & Computer Forensics

YTI Career Institute: Click a Location to Request Program Information => Altoona. Click the campus location to request program information today.
Programs Offered: Diploma | Criminal Justice
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