by Alex Lloyd Gross
If you have every thought about being a cop, now is the time. The Bristol Township Police Department is now recruiting for police officers. Bristol is in Bucks County Pennsylvania. According to Sgt. Jason Mancuso, almost anyone can apply. The application fee is $35.00.
“From there, you will take a written test. If you pass that, you will take a short physical test including climbing a four foot chain link fence, and some running. Pass that and it’s a job interview. If the police think you are a good candidate, you will be recommended for employment. Next,, (unless you are already a police officer coming from a different area in PA), you have to go to the police academy.
Police recruiters advise people who want to become officers to start running. Start lifting weights and working out before you get into the academy. Once there the process can be grueling for those out of shape. A good rule of thumb is to find out what the passing standards are and then train to exceed them. Need to do 15 push ups? Train for 20-25.
According to Sgt. Mancuso, once you are in the academy, you will be getting paid, starting out at about $67,000 per year. Once you graduate, you do a four part field training program. “The first part is you basically do nothing, just watch our officers, the second you get more acclimated to this, you will work the MDT, the radio, write some reports. The third part, and officer shadows you. You take the lead, they stand back and see what you do. After that, you are given your own patrol vehicle and then you get shadowed by an officer who will work with you. Then, you are on your own. The township offers generous vacation and personal days off, Mancuso said
For those that might need a bit of help with things, the police will send you for remedial training. “We invested a lot of time in you and don’t want you to fail,” Mancsuo said. You can scan the QR code for an application or pick one up at department headquarters. You need a high school diploma or GED and be 21 years of age. Felons need not apply.