The examination for police officer will consist
of both a written examination and an oral examination which will be
graded on a one-hundred-percent scale. The written examination will
represent 70% of the final score. The oral examination will represent
30% of the final score. Each applicant will undergo a physical agility
test. Prior to being placed on the list of certified candidates, the
applicant will undergo a complete background examination. These tests
and investigations, with the exception of the written and oral exams,
will be graded on a pass/fail basis. In compliance with the Americans
With Disabilities Act, an applicant will be required to undergo both
a physical examination and a psychological examination only after
being given an offer of employment. The final appointment to the position
is contingent upon passing both the physical examination and the psychological
examinations in addition to all other aforementioned tests, examinations
and investigations. Both the examining physician and the psychologist
shall be at the selection of the Civil Service Commission.
[Amended 10-14-2021 by Ord. No. 475]
A. The Commission shall appoint a written examination administrator,
an oral examination administrator, a physical agility examiner, a
medical examiner, and a psychological examiner to conduct the appropriate
examinations required by these rules and regulations. All appointments
will be at the sole discretion of the Committee.
B. Any Commission member who serves as an examiner or administrator
shall be precluded from sitting as a Commissioner or participating
in any deliberations with respect to any hearing on the Commissioner's
refusal to examine or certify a candidate. Nothing herein shall preclude
said Commissioner from being a witness at the hearing.
[Amended 10-14-2021 by Ord. No. 475]
The written examination shall be graded on a 100% scale. An applicant must score at least 70% to continue in the application process. Applicants who score less than 70% shall be rejected. Within 30 days after the administration of the written examination, all applicants shall be given a written notification of their examination results. Written examination for promotional positions are covered in §
38-35 of these rules and regulations.
[Amended 10-14-2021 by Ord. No. 475]
Every applicant who attained a passing score of at least 70% on the written examination shall be given an oral examination. An applicant must score at least 70% to continue in the application process. Any applicant who scores less than 70% will be rejected. The oral examination shall involve questioning the applicants on how they would handle situations relevant to police work. Within 30 days after the administration of the oral examination, the applicant shall be given written notice of their examination results. Oral examinations for promotional positions are covered in §
38-35 of these rules and regulations.
Pursuant to the Veterans' Preference Act, any applicant for the position of police officer who qualifies as a military veteran under this Act, shall receive an additional 10 points on top of their total score if that applicant had received passing scores under §§
38-33,
38-36 and
38-37 of these Rules and Regulations. Qualifications necessary for receiving veterans' preference points are outlined in the following rules:
A. Anyone who has served in the regular military services,
the National Guard or the Reserves since July 1, 1953, and has received
an honorable discharge is eligible to receive veterans' preference
points. Completion of basic training and receipt of an honorable discharge
for members of the National Guard or the Reserves bestows veterans'
status on an applicant even when they continue to serve in the National
Guard or Reserves.
B. Veterans' preference points will not be provided for
promotions since such an award is considered to overvalue military
service.
C. In the selection of a candidate from the certified list of three, under §
38-42, where one or more of the three candidates is a veteran under the Act, the appointing authority must select that individual veteran with the highest score for the appointment.
[Amended 4-9-2015 by Ord.
No. 450; 10-14-2021 by Ord. No. 475]
A. An applicant for the entry level position of police officer, promotional
positions, and candidates for Assistant Chief or Chief of Police,
both from within and outside the Patterson Township Police Department,
must complete a physical agility test. The physical agility examination
shall be practical in character and shall relate to such matters as
will fairly test the applicant's physical ability to discharge
the duties of a police officer.
B. This is a cumulative test. Each event is pass/fail. If one event
is failed, the entire test is failed. There is no averaging of "scores."
C. Applicants who have either successfully passed or failed the physical
agility test will be so notified in writing by the Commission within
30 days.