Police Officer Jobs? (Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton: apartment, job openings, college)

[Belkis2191]

Hello Everyone,

My boyfriend and I moved here from NYC last December. We live in Allentown, but very close to Emmaus. It's a beautiful area, and we couldn't have asked for more for our first apartment here!

With that being said, he's having trouble with his job. He currently works a warehouse job and if you know him, you'd know he's ambitious. He hates feeling like he has so much to offer, but is stuck at a job that doesn't give raises, nor treats their employees correctly. He wants to advance into what he studied for, which is being a Police Officer. He has an Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice, and wants advice in regards to becoming a p.o.

In NYC, you get paid to attend academy. They'll even reimburse you for tuition if you're attending while pursing a Bachelor's Degree. Obviously, things are much more different here, and that's why I'd like to hear people's opinions and knowledge on Police Depts around the LHV. Near or far, it doesn't matter. Thanks in advance to anyone who helps !

[loose cannon]

He needs to get out of warehous epurgatory and head down to the the APD and get a job. He is needed. More people are needed to get out the billy clubs and beat the scum down. Tell them to pull their pants up!

[toobusytoday]

I don't personally know any police officers but I'd suggest looking into any of the area's townships websites on a frequent basis for job openings. They may not always post them on the normal career boards like Monster or CareerLink.

[karen_s]

I served for years on the Civil Service Commission of a small town in the northern Lehigh Valley. When we advertised for just 1 open full-time police officer position, we would get at least 50 applicants who wanted to test. These applicants already had their Act 120 Municipal Police training through the academy and were literally ready to hit the ground running and work. They had paid for the training, and some of them even had actual part-time experience in other departments. We tested them and then formed a hiring list. Every list I had ever been involved with had a veteran who tested well at the top of it, as veterans receive extra points. Unfortunately, the Associate's Degree he currently possesses does not "count" as far as this process in any way, although some departments had in the past attempted to require applicants to possess 2 years of college or military service (I know Easton City did at one point).

The only way to get the paid training you describe is to get a job in a larger city department, such as Allentown, Bethlehem, or Easton. Again, there is the hiring process, which generally consists of physical testing, written testing, and interview, but the advantage is that once the list is prepared and you are hired, they will pay to send you to the academy.

Hope that helps. I really wish him lots of luck with following his dream. Budget cuts have hit departments hard and good jobs are scarce.

[johnp292]

I don't know if you've ever considered a move out west, but here in Arizona there is a program unlike any other I've seen (which doesn't mean it doesn't exist elsewhere). A person can become a full authority reserve officer by applying, going through the same vetting process as a full time officer, attending the training at their own cost for tuition, and thus becoming AZPOST certified. Once completed, the reserve officer will receive OJT from a full time officer and eventually be allowed to patrol. The differences are its non competetive and can be done completely part time while still holding a full time job. Both Phoenix PD and the AZ DPS (Highway Patrol) have such programs. Other jurisdictions probably do as well. These reservists have full authority. This of course also becomes an avenue toward full time employment as a police officer. For info you can look at the Phoenix PD or Arizona DPS web sites.

[johnp292]

Also, if a move to the west doesn't interest you, I'd also suggest looking into opportunities in NJ. The pay is generally a lot higher than it is in PA for LEOs.