The examination for police officer will consist of a written
and an oral examination which will be graded on a one-hundred-point
scale with the written examination representing 50% of the final score
and the oral examination representing 50% of the final score. In addition,
each applicant will undergo a physical fitness test, a polygraph test
and a background investigation. These tests and investigation will
be graded on a pass/fail basis for every applicant. After an applicant
has been extended an offer of employment, final appointment shall
be contingent upon the applicant passing a physical and psychological
examination.
The examination for the positions of Sergeant and Detective
shall include a written and an oral examination which will be graded
on a one-hundred-percent point scale with the written examination
representing 50% of the final score and the oral examination representing
50% of the final score. In addition, each applicant will undergo a
physical fitness test which will be graded on a pass/fail basis for
every applicant. After an applicant has been extended an offer of
promotion, the final appointment to the promotional position shall
be contingent upon the applicant passing a physical and psychological
examination.
The Commission shall appoint a written examination administrator,
an oral examination administrator, a polygraph examiner, a physical
fitness examiner, a medical examiner and a psychological examiner
to conduct the appropriate examinations required by these rules and
regulations.
The written examination shall be graded on a one-hundred-point
scale, and an applicant must score 70% or higher in order to continue
in the application process. Applicants scoring less than 70% shall
be rejected. Within 30 days after the administration of the written
examination, all applicants shall be given written notice of their
test results, and passing applicants shall be scheduled for an oral
examination appointment.
Every applicant who scored 70% or higher and receives one of
the top highest scores in the written examination shall be given an
oral examination which will be graded on a one-hundred-percent-point
scale with a score of 70% or higher necessary for passing. The oral
examination shall involve questioning applicants on how they would
handle situations relevant to police work. Within 30 days after the
applicants' oral examination, they shall be informed of the score
in their oral examination and total overall score, and each passing
applicant shall be informed of the date for physical testing.
A.
Every applicant for the position of patrol officer shall fill out
a personal data questionnaire and undergo a polygraph examination.
The Commission shall furnish each polygraph examiner with forms upon
which the examiner shall state whether any of the applicant's
responses to questions from the applicant's personal data questionnaire
are deceptive. The report on each examination shall be submitted to
the Commission within five days after the date of the examination.
B.
The examiner shall ask questions based on the information contained
in the personal data questionnaire. Before administering the test,
the examiner shall ask each applicant whether there is any more information
related to the personal data questionnaire which the applicant would
like to provide. There shall also be a post-test review, during which
the examiner shall again ask the participant, if deception is indicated,
whether there is any information which the applicant is withholding.
C.
If the examiner shall deem any of the applicant's responses
to be deceptive, the examiner must tell the applicant immediately
and give the applicant an opportunity to explain, deny or admit the
deception. If the applicant denies being deceptive or if the explanation
is found unsatisfactory by the examiner, the applicant will be given
the opportunity to retake the test with a second examiner. Notice
of the opportunity to retest shall be given in writing to the applicant.
The second examiner will not have access to the results of the first
test prior to readministering the polygraph. If a second examiner
finds no deception, the applicant will be considered as having passed
the polygraph. If the second examiner also finds the applicant deceptive,
the applicant will be considered as having failed the examination.
D.
An applicant who has failed both tests may appeal to the Civil Service
Commission for a third examination, and the decision to give the applicant
an opportunity to take a third test resides solely within the discretion
of the Commission. If the applicant is awarded an opportunity to take
a third test and passes, then the applicant will be considered as
having passed the polygraph test. If the applicant is found deceptive
on a third test, the applicant will be rejected.
[Amended 9-11-2014 by Ord. No. 1374]
An applicant for the position of police officer must meet the
physical testing requirements as adopted by the Sharon Hill Borough
Civil Service Commission from time to time.
A.
The Commission shall request the Chief of Police or the Chief's
designee to conduct a background investigation on each applicant.
The background investigation shall include interviews with the applicant's
family, acquaintances, current and former employers, current and former
neighbors, references, and current and former teachers and school
officials. In addition, the applicant's credit history and record
of criminal convictions should be investigated. The applicant may
be interviewed directly when the information collected during the
background investigation requires clarification or explanation.
B.
After the background investigation is completed, the Chief or designee
shall make a written recommendation to the Commission on whether the
applicant is appropriate for consideration for appointment as a police
officer.
C.
Appropriateness of the applicant shall be based on the criteria set forth in § A376-20 of these rules and regulations. This recommendation shall be in writing, and if the recommendation is to disqualify, then a detailed written explanation of the reasons for disqualification must be included. The Commission shall make the final determination on whether the information collected during the background investigation warrants rejection of the candidate. Within 30 days after the Commission considers the recommendation of the Chief of Police or designee, each applicant will be informed of whether they have passed the background investigation.
