Pittsburgh Police Department (living, law, bus) - Pennsylvania (PA) - City-Data Forum

Beat02 · 02-19-2009, 05:03 PM

Any body know if they're typically hiring at a regular rate? Are there lots of applicants with them or can they always use more? Is there a good reputation with the department? Any/all info is great!

dugdogmaster · 02-19-2009, 11:48 PM

Police Bureau

You can find hiring information through this site.

Beat02 · 02-20-2009, 06:32 AM

Well, yeah. I realize that their website has general hiring information. Not looking for requirements so much as the reputation of the department with the public and the likelihood of being hired if all regulation/requirements are met (ratio of those applying to those actually going through the academy).

Thanks

TheReason · 02-21-2009, 02:23 AM

In Pittsbugh, you are required to go to the academy before you are hired.

I believe that Pittsburgh only gives their civil service test every 2 years, and depending how well you do on the test, you can wait up to 2 years.

Beat02 · 02-23-2009, 01:51 PM

^Well yeah, because there is always the possibility of flunking out of the academy, but I guess I should have asked what the applicant/hire ratio is like to be accepted for the academy. There's a slew of other stuff that must be completed in the hiring process (like background checks and psych evals) before being eligible to go to an academy.

pic-chic · 02-23-2009, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beat02

^Well yeah, because there is always the possibility of flunking out of the academy, but I guess I should have asked what the applicant/hire ratio is like to be accepted for the academy. There's a slew of other stuff that must be completed in the hiring process (like background checks and psych evals) before being eligible to go to an academy.

I don't know how it is in Pittsburgh, but the Massachusetts State Police only take people from the top of the test results down. The last time I remember hearing scores, they were taking the people who scored a 96 and 95 (out of 100) and this was at least the third class from that test. I don't know what the bottom scores were like, but I'd bet the recruits asked to the academy were around 2-3% of those who took the test. Different years of tests had different types of tests, too (each was commissioned separately and several years apart). One test counted grammar higher than others, while some had more scenarios to go through or more law info.
Your best bet is to find out when the test will be given and take it. Once you know your score, you'll have an idea whether you'll get in.

PeterRabbit · 02-24-2009, 12:27 AM

I think the reputation with the public must be pretty good or else anti-cop incidents would be on the news. We've had two Superbowl celebrations recently and those arrested most likely deserved it and I'm surprised there wasn't more than what was reported.

I was downtown driving in a bus lane one summer and a cop coming in the opposite direction stopped me. His only concern was did I know I shouldn't be in that lane and if I really knew where I was going. That was it, no big deal. Even if you don't like cops in general, acts like that make you think they aren't so bad. A suburban cop would take you through an entire routine and give you a ticket.

Overall I think the Pittsburgh Police are respected. That's the feeling I get from living here.

Benzman66 · 02-24-2009, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterRabbit

I think the reputation with the public must be pretty good or else anti-cop incidents would be on the news. We've had two Superbowl celebrations recently and those arrested most likely deserved it and I'm surprised there wasn't more than what was reported.

I was downtown driving in a bus lane one summer and a cop coming in the opposite direction stopped me. His only concern was did I know I shouldn't be in that lane and if I really knew where I was going. That was it, no big deal. Even if you don't like cops in general, acts like that make you think they aren't so bad. A suburban cop would take you through an entire routine and give you a ticket.

Overall I think the Pittsburgh Police are respected. That's the feeling I get from living here.

You may have been stopped by the Port Authority Police who monitor the bus lanes for violators. Pgh Police usually avoid that job and go after the real criminals.

It all depends on WHO the officer is and if he takes his job seriously. I have plenty of friends on the city as well as boros and county. Some are tough, some are easy, and alot depends on how their day is going when you run into them.

PeterRabbit · 02-24-2009, 10:04 PM

^ I think you're right. They were driving a jeep.

dugdogmaster · 02-25-2009, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beat02

Well, yeah. I realize that their website has general hiring information. Not looking for requirements so much as the reputation of the department with the public and the likelihood of being hired if all regulation/requirements are met (ratio of those applying to those actually going through the academy).

Thanks

I'm not sure what the ratio is of applicants to hirees, but I'm sure it is just as scrutinizing as virtually any other civil service exam. As far as the reputation, it's pretty good for a city of its size. There's a public oversight committee(at least there used to be, I'm not sure if it's still around. Benzman66 can probably tell you that for sure or not), and you rarely hear of any misdoings by anyone in the department.