You can get your application for the March 15th written test at many of the participating police departments, or simply download it.
The agencies participating in the written test are:
- Abington
- Bryn Athn
- Cheltenham
- East Norriton
- Hatboro
- Hatfield
- Limerick
- Lower Moreland
- Lower Providence
- Norristown
- Towamencin
- Upper Dublin
- Upper Moreland
ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED OR POSTMARKED NO LATER THAN 4:00 P.M., FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2007.
51 responses so far ↓
Mary Ann // January 28, 2008 at 1:31 pm
What is the best way to prepare for the written test??
abingtonpd // January 28, 2008 at 2:04 pm
I don’t really have an answer for you on that, Mary Ann. We are not issuing a study guide, so, in fairness to all candidates, I can’t say much about the test.
Joleen // January 28, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Are there any age restrictions for female applicants?
abingtonpd // January 28, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Joleen – in order to take APD’s test you must be 18 or older, and that applies to ALL applicants, male or female.
You may want to look over our web feature on women who serve as police officers with Abington:
http://www.abingtonpd.org/news_releases/Women_Police.htm
Jacqui // January 28, 2008 at 7:58 pm
I don’t know if I am the only one having this problem but I cannot access the application. There is not actual link for the application.
Ian // January 28, 2008 at 8:20 pm
will a test booklet be mailed to each applicant to study?
Joleen // January 28, 2008 at 8:25 pm
Yes I did read that, thankyou, I am a 37yr old female also a Criminal Justice/Police Administration Major at Bucks – my dream is to become a police officer and since I currently work in the area, Abington PD would be perfect! I was just worried about my age.
Brian // January 29, 2008 at 11:46 am
A few questions regarding the test itself:
Is there a detailed schedule of the test day including the different portions of the test and the time allotted to each section?
Does my lacking a formal education in Criminal Justice severely hinder my chances of passing, or with study can I still succeed?
How many applicants usually attend the written exam?
Thanks in advance
RyanG // January 29, 2008 at 2:12 pm
I’m an Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran, I am applying to take the test…. Will I get points added to my score? If so, how does this work?
nick // January 29, 2008 at 5:21 pm
I am interested in becoming a police officer. I have a college in an unrelated feild. Would I be an elligible applicamt for the police test?
abingtonpd // January 30, 2008 at 9:56 am
Jacqui – the actual applciation is at: http://www.abingtonpd.org/Police%20Test%20Forms/2008%20Test/Prelim%20App%202008%20-%20Internet%20Version.pdf
abingtonpd // January 30, 2008 at 9:56 am
@Ian – there is no study booklet for this test.
abingtonpd // January 30, 2008 at 9:57 am
@Joleen – no worries there. There is no upper age limit.
abingtonpd // January 30, 2008 at 9:59 am
@Brian:
There is no “detailed” schedule. You come in, you take the test. It only takes a couple of hours to get signed in, take the test and leave.
Education is always a plus, but many officers do not have a criminal justice background when they are hired.
Of late, we’ve been getting about 400 applicants per test.
abingtonpd // January 30, 2008 at 10:14 am
@RyanG – thank you for your service to our country!!
Active duty military veterans receive 10 points added to their final score as per Pennsylvania Civil Service law…
abingtonpd // January 30, 2008 at 10:59 am
@Nick – yes, you would be eligible. For APD, we require only a high school degree at this time.
Billy // January 30, 2008 at 4:03 pm
I have a question once one passes the test and is offered a conditional offer, and then once offered a position does the agencey put through the academy.
Amy // January 30, 2008 at 7:58 pm
After the written test, what is the timeline for the rest of the process (oral test, physical agility test, etc)? Also, do you know how many new officers Abington PD will be hiring from this test?
abingtonpd // February 1, 2008 at 2:58 pm
@Billy – it depends upon the agency. Some require that you already possess an ACT 120 (police academy) certification.
Abington, however, will put new hires through the academy if they do not have Act 120.
abingtonpd // February 1, 2008 at 3:01 pm
@Amy – it’s not really possible to know exactly how many we will be hiring, but I would expect at least three over the life of the list. Probably more…
About 4-6 weeks after the written test, those who qualify will be invited to a physical agility test. About a month after that we will hold oral interviews for those who pass. After that we will compile a list, do background investigations and make hires…
Mike // February 2, 2008 at 6:44 am
I am currently in Iraq and will miss the test on the 15th. Is there a way I can make up the test when I come home in early May as long as I submit the pre-app before the deadline?
Mike // February 4, 2008 at 11:26 am
How does previous law enforcement expierience factor in and would that expierience be applied when and if you were hired?
Dave // February 4, 2008 at 6:50 pm
Does APD have a residency requirement? Specifically, can an officer live out of state?
matt // February 4, 2008 at 9:19 pm
after we send in the application and the fee. when will we know that you recieved it and that we are registered for the test.
Joleen // February 5, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Would participating in the Internship program help in possibly getting a postion as well?
Joleen
John Campbell // February 7, 2008 at 9:45 am
I have been a military police officer for 3 years. Is their a certification for PA that I can receive to avoid attending a police academy? I am a resident of PA; I have receive training and certifications pertaining to law enforcement.
abingtonpd // February 8, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Mike – sorry. We really appreciate your military service, but by Civil Service law we are allowed only that testing date.
However, we test every year about the same time, so please try us again next year. And stay safe!
abingtonpd // February 8, 2008 at 12:59 pm
Mike – prior law enforcement experience is a plus, but does not count for extra score in the testing process for APD.
abingtonpd // February 8, 2008 at 1:01 pm
Dave – we have a 15 mile radius of residency. That is upped to 25 miles for residents of Bucks or Montgomery County in PA.
abingtonpd // February 8, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Matt – you should receive a letter of acknowledgement….
abingtonpd // February 8, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Joleen – good thought, but no, an internship has no bearing on the hiring process, which is controlled by Civil Service law.
abingtonpd // February 8, 2008 at 1:05 pm
John – you would need an ACT 120 municipal police officer’s certification from the Commonwealth.
My guess is that your MP experience would not qualify for the Act 120, but you should check with the MPOETC, which handles that issue.
http://www.mpoetc.state.pa.us/mpotrs/site/default.asp
Mike // February 8, 2008 at 1:49 pm
In reference to my prior question about law enforcement expierience, I was asking about how that expierience would apply to actually being hired, not to the testing process?
Ex: Someone has five years law expierience and gets hired by Abington; how would that five years apply in reference to seniority?
abingtonpd // February 8, 2008 at 2:04 pm
@Mike – sorry if I misunderstood.
No, you can’t bring any seniority in with you. However, for officers who come on board with significant police experience we can start them at a somewhat higher pay grade.
Amy // February 12, 2008 at 6:55 pm
As far as the physical agility test is concerned, are the sit ups straight leg or bent leg with someone or something holding down your feet and the 1.5 mile run, can you do a walk/run as long as it is done in the alloted time? Thanks
Jason // February 17, 2008 at 7:02 pm
I have a year left of college. Is it possible to apply and still be able to finish school full-time? If not, will Abington PD be hiring next year?
Joleen // February 18, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Yes good questions, I was wondering that myself especially regarding the sit-ups.
Some of us may not be in perfect shape.
Joleen
Brendan // February 18, 2008 at 10:55 pm
Hello – for those chosen to proceed through the testing process, and not ACT 120 Certified, can you give a brief overview of the Academy? (How long, where, do we reside at the academy, etcc…)
Also, how do you get certified in ACT 120?
Thanks in advance, this blog has been extremely helpful.
Jake // February 19, 2008 at 3:51 pm
hello, i dont know if you have already answered this question but when turning in the unified application to APD along with that should I include a coverletter, resume, and references or is that at a latter step? thank you for any help you can give me.
abingtonpd // February 25, 2008 at 5:16 pm
Jake – your app is all that is needed at this point…
abingtonpd // February 25, 2008 at 5:16 pm
Brendan – we would likely send new hires to Montgomery County’s academy. It’s a commute, no live-in. About 16 weeks of training…
abingtonpd // February 25, 2008 at 5:18 pm
Amy/Joleen – someone holds your ankles for the situps… As far as the run, you need to complete it under the time whether you run all the way or stop to walk…
abingtonpd // February 25, 2008 at 5:19 pm
Jason – we test every year at around the same time… And hiring could take place at any time during the life of the civil service list, which is one year from the time it is approved (estimated to be July, 08)
Jake // February 25, 2008 at 6:59 pm
two questoms, for the written test i planed on wearing a suit and tie, but i do not know if that is what is recomended to wear. my second question is what is the schedual like for the whole process from the written test to the hireing, and what does the time line look like. thank you for any help!
Jacob // February 26, 2008 at 12:55 pm
How long will all of the processes (written test, physical agility test, background check, etc.) take in order to become an Abington police officer?
Kylie // February 26, 2008 at 8:13 pm
If APD puts you through ACT 120 certification, what happens if the person fails ACT 120? Will the indicidual have to pay for it?
matt // February 27, 2008 at 12:26 am
do the sit-ups have to be done with your hands behind your head?
abingtonpd // February 27, 2008 at 3:44 pm
@Matt – I believe so…
abingtonpd // February 27, 2008 at 3:45 pm
@Kylie… We sure hope no one flunks out, but in either case, APD pays for the training…
abingtonpd // February 27, 2008 at 3:47 pm
@Jacob… I would guess that the various testing phases would be complete by June 30.
Then we do background investigations on the candidates near the top… Then we hire to fill openings as they crop up over the life of the civil service list, which is one year from when it is approved (estimate this will happen in August)
abingtonpd // February 27, 2008 at 3:48 pm
@Jake – save your suit and tie for the oral interview portion. Wear something comfortable for the written test…