The application period to apply for the position of Police Officer in Swatara Township has OPENED.  

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Application Information:

This is an open application period and the deadline for submitting applications will be determined at a later date by the Superintendent of Police.  Upon the close of the application period, all candidates will be notified by email of the date, time and location of the physical fitness test and written test.  Please visit PoliceApp.com (Swatara Township, PA - Police Officer (Open Application period 2025) Job | PoliceApp) to apply.  

A Commitment to Those We Serve:

The Swatara Township Police Department is committed to serving the community while protecting the rights of all persons.  Consistent with this commitment, the Department's Vision, Mission and Core Values, in concert with the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics and the Department's Management Principles, reflect the guiding philosophy of the Swatara Township Police Department.

About Our Police Department:

The Swatara Township Police Department is a PLEAC Accredited Law Enforcement Agency.  We provide protection for over 29,000 people, which includes those who reside in Swatara Township and Paxtang Borough.  Our jurisdiction spans approximately 15 square miles between Harrisburg City and Hershey, PA.  At full complement we have 50 police officers and a Chief of Police.  Our Patrol Division is made up of four platoons, each with 8 officers.  Officers in our Patrol Division work 12-hour shifts with every other weekend off!  This equates to working only 14 days during every 28-day rotation.  Our Department has 8 detectives, one of which who is assigned to the department's Forensic Technician.  Additional staffing includes members of our Command Staff, Community Services, a Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program officer (Heavy Truck Enforcement), a School Resource Officer (assigned to the Steelton-Highspire School District), an Administrative Sergeant and Desk Officer.  

The Swatara Township Police Department encourages our officers to continue their education throughout their careers by taking courses that will enhance their ability to perform their job.  This includes courses where officers can learn above and beyond what is taught in the Police Academy's Act 120 Certification Training.  Courses include but are not limited to Field Sobriety Testing, Drug Recognition Expert, Crime Scene Investigations, Crime Scene Photography, Police Physical Fitness Coordinator, Control Tactics, Interview and Interrogation, Spanish for Law Enforcement, Autism Awareness, Traffic Stop Investigations, Human Trafficking, Accident Reconstruction, Homicide Investigations and so much more.  The learning process of a police officer never ends and we are proud to encourage continuing education among all of our officers so that they can provide the best service to those in our community.

A Rewarding Career:

The starting salary for a new hire is $50,000 with annual increases in pay.  Longevity pay is provided as well after four years of service.  In 2027, after four years with the Department, your salary increases significantly to over $111.864.86.  Uniforms, duty gear and a fitted ballistic vest are all provided by the Department.  Uniform cleaning services are provided by the Department as well.  Swatara Township will pay for the Act 120 Certification Training (Police Academy) if necessary.  We are also proud to offer an extensive benefits package which includes:

• Paid Medical Insurance
• Paid Dental Insurance
• Paid Vision Care
• Paid Long Term Disability Insurance
• Paid Life Insurance
• Pension Plan
• 40 Hours of Vacation Time to start
• 40 Hours of Personal Time (annually)
• 88 Hours of Holiday Time (annually)
• 120 Hours of Sick Time (after first year)

Career Enrichment and Advancement Opportunities:

All newly hire police officers start their careers in the Patrol Division, but that is just the beginning.  There are so many opportunities to enhance your skills and branch out into one of our many specialty divisions or assignments.  We also promote from within thereby encouraging our officers to learn and grow to prepare themselves for supervisory positions.  

Specialty Assignments and Enhancements include:

• Police K-9
• Crisis Response Team Member
• Accident Reconstruction Team Member
• Criminal Investigations
• Community Services
• Drug Task Force
• High Enforcement Action Team Member
• Mobile Field Force Team Member
• Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program Officer
• School Resource Officer
• Warrant Officer
• Drug Recognition Expert
• Arson Investigator
• Bicycle Officer
• Firearms Instructor
• Less Lethal Weapons Instructor
• Defensive Tactics Instructor
• CPR/First Aid/AED Instructor
• Teaching, Educating And Mentoring (TEAM) Officer
• Bigs in Blue Mentoring Program Officer

Police Officer Essential Job Functions:

Effect an arrest, forcibly if necessary, using handcuffs and other restraints; subdue resisting suspects using maneuvers and weapons and resort to the use of hands and feet and other approved weapons in self-defense.

Prepare and write investigative and other reports, including sketches, using appropriate grammar, symbols and mathematical computations. These reports are to be completed by the end of a shift, unless authorized otherwise. Reports must be completed in a competent and professional manner.

Operate a law enforcement vehicle during both the day and night; in emergency situations involving speeds in excess of posted speed limits; in congested traffic and in hazardous road conditions caused by factors such as fog, smoke, rain, ice and snow.

Communicate effectively and coherently over law enforcement radio channels while initiating and responding to radio communications and while operating a vehicle.

Gather and interpret information in various investigations, which may include interviewing and obtaining the statements of victims, witnesses, suspects and confidential informers.

Pursue fleeing suspects on foot and perform rescue operations which may involve quickly entering and exiting law enforcement vehicles; lifting, carrying, and dragging heavy objects; climbing over and pulling up oneself over obstacles; jumping down from elevated surfaces; climbing through openings; jumping over obstacles, ditches, and streams; crawling in confined areas; balancing on uneven or narrow surfaces and using body force to gain entrance through barriers.

Load, unload, aim and fire using each hand from a variety of body positions using a handgun; use of a rifle and other agency firearms under conditions of stress that justify the use of deadly force and at levels of proficiency prescribed in certification standards.

Perform searches of people, vehicles, buildings and large outdoor areas which may involve feeling and detecting objects, walking for long periods of time, detaining people and stopping suspicious vehicles and persons.

Conduct visual and audio surveillance for extended periods of time.

Engage in law enforcement patrol functions that include such things as working rotating shifts, walking on foot patrol and making physical checks of cars, homes, buildings, etc.

Effectively communicate with people, including juveniles, by giving information and directions, mediating disputes and advising of rights and process.

Demonstrate effective communication skills and use proper demeanor in court and other formal settings.

Detect and collect evidence and substances which; provide the basis of criminal offenses or infractions; and/or indicate the presence of dangerous conditions.

Endure verbal and mental abuse when confronted with the hostile views and opinions of suspects and other people encountered in an antagonistic environment.

Perform rescue functions at accidents, emergencies, civil disorders and disasters to include directing traffic for long periods of time, administrating emergency medical aid, extinguishing small fires, lifting, dragging and carrying people away from dangerous situations and securing and evacuating people from particular areas, assisting in removing vehicles from dangerous locations.

Process (photograph, fingerprint) and transport arrested suspects, prisoners and committed mental patients using handcuffs and other appropriate restraints.

Put on and operate emergency equipment such as fire extinguisher, helmet, gas mask, etc. in situations as required.

Read and comprehend legal and non-legal documents, including the preparation and processing of such documents as citations, affidavits and warrants in a timely fashion with minimal defects.

Swatara Township Police Civil Service Regulations and Process:

Those candidates who qualify per the Swatara Township Civil Service regulations will be eligible for further processing and examinations.

Additional examinations, including but not limited to a physical, psychological, polygraph, and an intensive background investigation will be conducted on finalists for the position. In addition, all candidates who are offered conditional employment with the Township shall meet M.P.O.E.T.C. physical fitness requirements for entrance into the Police Academy. Applicants must have reached their 21st birthday before the deadline for submitting the completed initial application for a written exam.  Every applicant for any position in the Police Department shall possess a diploma from an accredited high school or a graduate equivalency diploma. In addition, every applicant must be a citizen of the United States, be physically and mentally fit to perform the full duties of a police officer and be of good moral character. Applicants must be licensed to operate a motor vehicle in this Commonwealth and agree to remain with the Township police force (subject to the probationary period and all other disciplinary and other township rules and regulations) for a minimum period of two years. All appointments are provisional for twelve (12) months: initial salary $50,000.00 per year in 2025 ($52,000.00 per year in 2026) with insurance, retirement and other fringe benefits provided.

All equipment and uniforms will be provided. ONLY THOSE APPLICANTS who successfully passed the written and physical fitness tests and who were notified of their continued eligibility in the process and who wish to continue the interview process with the Swatara Township Police Department will be requested to fill out a more detailed application.

When the application process has been closed, each applicant will be notified through email of the date, time and location of the physical fitness testing and written testing.  

Swatara Township is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All persons meeting the general requirements are encouraged to apply.