Police Officer Advertisement

Please read all of the information on this advertisement carefully and follow the instructions when applying for the open positions of Police Officer.

The Borough of Berwick Civil Service Commission is currently accepting applications for positions within the Berwick Police Department. The positions are Entry-Level Police Officer, Lateral Transfer Police Officer, Part-Time Police Officer, and Academy Cadet Sponsorship. Multiple open positions are expected to be filled from this advertisement.

Applications

Applications are available at the bottom of this page.

• The application fee has been waived.
• All applications must be submitted by mail to: Berwick City Hall c/o Civil Service Commission, 1800 North Market Street, Berwick, PA 18603 and received no later than 12:00 October 9^th 2025.
• The Informed Consent & Medical Release Forms shall be signed, completed, and turned in prior to the beginning of the Physical Agility Test on October 11^th 2025.

Qualifications and Pre-Requisites

• Possess a diploma from an accredited high school or a graduate equivalency diploma (GED).
• Be currently Act 120 certified under MPOETC, 53 Pa.C.S.A. § 2161 et seq.; or have successfully completed Act 120 training and passed the final exam, without having previously held certification. (Not required for Cadet Sponsorship.)
• Be a United States Citizen.
• Be physically and mentally fit to perform the full duties of a police officer.
• Possess a valid motor vehicle operator’s license.
• Must have reached their twenty-first (21st) birthday prior to receiving a conditional offer.
• The Borough of Berwick Civil Service Commission may refuse to examine, or if examined may refuse to certify, any applicant based on the current Civil Service rules and regulations.
• Applicants may also be disqualified for non-compliance with the regulations of Act 57.

Testing Process

The examination for Police Officer shall consist of:

• Physical Agility Test
• Written Examination
• Oral Examination
• Background Investigation
• Polygraph Examination

Additional details:

• Written Examination = 70% of final score
• Oral Examination = 30% of final score
• Physical Agility, Background, and Polygraph = Pass/Fail

Physical Agility Test

Location: Senator John R. Gordner Stadium (next to Salem Elementary, 810 East 10th Street, Berwick, PA 18603)
Date/Time: October 11^th 2025. Time TBD

The Physical Agility Test shall consist of:

• Sit-Ups
• 300 Meter Run
• Push-Ups
• 1.5 Mile Run

Standards are listed within the Position Classifications section.

Written Examination

Date: October 11^th 2025.
Location: Council Chambers, Berwick City Hall, 1800 North Market Street, Berwick, PA 18603
Following completion of the Physical Agility Test.

Benefits

• Competitive Salaries (2025–2028):
  
  • Entry-level (during FTO Program): $51,509.74
  • Upon FTO completion: $54,051.32
  • Second year (2026): $58,856.65
  • Third year (2027): $69,634.59
  • Fourth year (2028): $78,649.31
• Longevity payout and uniform allowance
• Teamsters Local 764 Collective Bargaining Agreement
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage (coverage begins immediately)
• Deferred compensation (457) plan
• $35,000 Life Insurance
• PTO: 13 holidays, 1 personal day, 15 sick days in the first year
• Up to 5 weeks’ Vacation, (Increases with service)
• Flexible time off (comp time, shift switching)
• Set annual shifts (1st, 2nd, 3rd)
• Specialty assignments (Detective, SWAT, Narcotics, K-9, FTO, USMS Fugitive Task Force, County Drug Task Force,  Training Instructor, etc.)
• Specialized training opportunities
• On-site gym with sauna and locker room
• Non-offensive tattoos and well-groomed facial hair may be allowed
• Take home vehicles authorized under certain conditions.

Department Overview

• Full-service agency with 16 full-time sworn officers and civilian staff
• Service area: 3.25 square miles, population over 10,000

Requirements Upon Hire

• Must pass medical and psychological exams
• Must reside in the Borough of Berwick or within 25 air miles of the borough border within 6 months of completing probation

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Borough of Berwick is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Position Classifications and Minimum Qualifications

Basic Minimum Qualifications

1. High school diploma or GED
2. Act 120 certification or completion of Act 120 training (not required for Cadet Sponsorship)
3. U.S. Citizen
4. Physically and mentally fit
5. Valid motor vehicle license

Entry-Level Police Officer (Full-Time or Part-Time, Promotion-Eligible)

• Act 120 certified or completed Act 120 training (without prior certification)
• Part-Time Officers hired under this category remain eligible for promotion to Full-Time

Physical Fitness Standards:

• Sit-ups (1 min): 30
• 300m run: 75 sec
• Push-ups (1 min): 13
• 1.5 mile run: 15:52

Part-Time Police Officer (Not Eligible for Full-Time Promotion)

• Limited duty, seasonal, event and supplemental staffing
• Not eligible for promotion to full-time

Physical Fitness Standards:

• Sit-ups (1 min): 22
• 300m run: 82 sec
• Push-ups (1 min): 9
• 1.5 mile run: 16:38

Full-Time Lateral Transfer

• Must be Act 120 certified with prior full-time PA law enforcement experience
• Service time applies for pay only, not rank/seniority
• Must take entry-level exams

Noncompetitive review may include:

• Prior service
• Disciplinary/training history
• Act 120 verification

Physical Fitness Standards:

• Sit-ups (1 min): 30
• 300m run: 75 sec
• Push-ups (1 min): 13
• 1.5 mile run: 15:52

Academy Sponsorship (Cadet Program)

• Conditional sponsorship to attend Act 120
• Must meet all minimum qualifications
• Upon certification, placed on Entry-Level list
• May require repayment if training not completed or service not fulfilled

Cadets tested at Academy Assessment Standards.

Male Standards

Event	18–29	30–39	40–49	50–59	60+
Sit-ups (1 min)	35	32	27	21	17
300m Run (sec)	62.1	63	77	87	87
Push-ups (1 min)	26	20	15	10	8
1.5 Mile Run (time)	13:16	13:46	14:34	15:58	17:38

Female Standards

Event	18–29	30–39	40–49	50–59	60+
Sit-ups (1 min)	30	22	17	12	4
300m Run (sec)	75	82	106.7	106.7	106.7
Push-ups (1 min)	13	9	7	7	7
1.5 Mile Run (time)	15:52	16:38	17:22	18:59	21:20