Police Officer

About the role

Provides service that protects life and property, preserves peace, prevents criminal activities, and enforces City ordinances and federal, state, and local laws in the City of Pittsburgh. Police work involves an element of personal danger, and officers must be able to function with minimal supervision, exercise independent judgment, and take appropriate action when faced with complex situations.

Pay

Salary: $22.95 per hour while in Training Academy. $33.15 per hour as a Police Officer in the first year.

Benefits

• Health and Life Insurance
• Dental and Vision coverage
• Paid Vacation and Holidays
• Tuition Assistance
• Pension Plan
• Voluntary Deferred Compensation Program
• Uniform Allowance
• Promotional Opportunities

Benefits may be modified based on collective bargaining unit terms.

Requirements

• Completed online City of Pittsburgh Application for this position.
• At least 20 years of age at the time of filing the application.
• A High School Diploma or GED.
• United States citizenship.
• Must be or become a resident of an area within a 25-mile air radius of the downtown City-County Building prior to employment and remain a resident within the 25-mile air radius throughout employment.
• A current, valid Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Operator's License (Class C – regular) or a current, valid driver's license from another state or the U.S. Armed Forces. PA driver's license must be obtained prior to appointment and maintained throughout employment.
• Preference points documentation, if applicable, must be submitted no later than your Written Examination date.

Disqualifications

• Conviction of a felony or serious misdemeanor is disqualifying unless the applicant has been pardoned.
• Holding a medical marijuana card one year prior to the Police Academy start date.

Preferences

• Veterans' Preference: Ten (10) points awarded to eligible candidates who achieve a final passing score. Must provide DD-214 Member-4 or Member-1 copy with Honorable Discharge Certificate. Reservists/National Guard must provide a statement of service letter from their commanding officer.
• Pittsburgh Public School Graduate Preference: Five (5) points awarded to eligible candidates who provide a copy of their Pittsburgh Public High School Diploma.
• City of Pittsburgh Residency Preference: Three (3) points awarded to eligible candidates who provide proof of City residency.

Applicants will be awarded preference points for their highest qualifying category only.

Examination Process

• Written Examination: Candidates must pass a written examination to be placed on the official Civil Service Eligibility List. Monthly testing will tentatively resume in August 2026.
• MPOETC Tests: Physical fitness and reading tests administered to candidates further processed for an Academy Class.
• Oral Interview/Background Interview: Details provided at a later date.
• Medical Examination and Psychological Suitability Evaluation: Administered to candidates who receive conditional offers of employment. Final appointment is contingent upon successful completion.

Medical standards include distant vision of at least 20/70 uncorrected in the stronger eye (correctable to 20/20) and 20/200 uncorrected in the weaker eye (correctable to at least 20/40), normal depth and color perception, and freedom from significant visual abnormalities.

Responsibilities

• Patrol: Observing zone conditions or responding to incidents.
• Traffic Enforcement and Control: Issuing parking and moving traffic violations; managing traffic accident scenes.
• Preliminary Searches: Locating suspects, evidence, or missing/injured persons.
• Preliminary Investigations: Conducting initial investigations and making decisions at incident scenes.
• Suspect Control: Pursuit, isolation, containment, search, and apprehension of suspects.
• Arrests: Processing arrests, detention, and lodging of prisoners or juveniles.
• Evidence/Property Safeguard: Identifying, safeguarding, storing, and accounting for evidence and non-Police Department property.
• Life/Property Safeguard at Incident Scene: Securing people and property at incident scenes.
• Notifications/Communications/Administration: Official requests for assistance, distributing incident information, and coordinating zone activities.
• Reports, Forms, and Memo Books: Preparing written reports, forms, or memo books (paper or electronic).
• Court Appearances: Testifying and prosecuting cases in court (criminal, civil, and administrative).
• Community Relations: Engaging in activities that foster positive relations between community members and the Bureau of Police.
• Police Bureau Property Safeguard: Safeguarding and accounting for police property and equipment.
• Bureau Policies, Procedures, Rules, and Laws: Using and explaining Department policies, rules, and governing laws.
• Professional Development: Improving skills or the Department through training, education, professional organizations, or conferences.
• Related Tasks and Duties: Other assigned or required tasks.