South Whitehall Township, PA
Home MenuUnderstanding the Hiring Process
The path to becoming a police officer involves more than just submitting an application. At South Whitehall Township, we are committed to a thorough and transparent hiring process that ensures we select individuals who reflect our values of professionalism, integrity, and service. This section outlines each step of the recruitment journey—from initial application through final evaluation—so you know what to expect and how to prepare.
📝 1. Unified Application
Apply online at lehighcountypolicetest.com beginning June 6, 2025. Submit one application for up to 12 departments. A $100 non-refundable fee is paid via PayPal. The deadline to apply is noon on August 7, 2025.
🏃♂️ 2. Physical Agility Test
Held on August 16, 2025, at Parkland High School (registration begins at 7:15 AM). You must bring valid photo ID and required forms. Only those who pass continue to the written exam the same day.
🖊️ 3. Written Examination
Administered immediately following the agility test. Bring a photo ID and two No. 2 pencils. No phones, food, bags, or unauthorized items are permitted. The test follows the NGLE/CWH format.
🛡️ 4. Post-Testing Stages
Oral Interview: Conducted by department staff.
Background Investigation: Includes criminal, employment, education, and financial history.
Polygraph: Verifies honesty of application disclosures.
Psychological Evaluation: Assesses emotional and mental fitness for law enforcement.
Medical Exam & Drug Screening: Confirms physical readiness to MPOETC standards.
Conditional Offer: Provided upon successful completion of all evaluations.
Training: Either academy enrollment or field training depending on certification.
🔍 What to Expect: Polygraph Exam
The polygraph is used to verify the truthfulness of information provided during your application and background investigation. It's not about catching you in a lie, but ensuring integrity.
↪ Pre-Test Interview: The examiner will go over your background packet and ask about your past behaviors (e.g., drug use, criminal history, employment honesty).
↪ Review of Questions: You'll be told the exact questions before the test begins.
↪ Test Setup: Sensors will be attached to measure heart rate, respiration, blood pressure, and perspiration while you answer yes/no questions.
↪ Questioning Phase: Typically lasts 10–20 minutes with simple, direct questions.
↪ Post-Test Discussion: The examiner may review the results with you. Final interpretation goes to the hiring agency.
💡 Tips:
- Be honest—discrepancies, not disqualifiers, are the concern.
- Get good rest the night before; nervousness is normal, but consistent patterns are what matter.
- If you’ve omitted something in your application, disclose it before the exam.
🧠 What to Expect: Psychological Evaluation
This evaluation assesses your emotional stability, decision-making, and mental readiness for high-stress law enforcement work. It’s required by MPOETC.
↪ Written Tests (2–4 hours):
- Common tools include:
- MMPI-2 (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory)
- CPI (California Psychological Inventory)
- Inwald Personality Inventory (IPI)
- These measure traits like aggression, stress tolerance, impulse control, and authority acceptance.
↪ Clinical Interview:
- Conducted by a licensed psychologist.
- Lasts about 30–60 minutes.
- Covers:
- Life history (childhood, relationships, education)
- Work history and discipline
- Substance use
- Personal values and emotional responses to conflict
✔️ You’re Evaluated On:
- Emotional regulation under stress
- Judgment and impulse control
- Ethics and integrity
- Interpersonal communication
- Attitudes toward authority, diversity, and use of force
💡 Tips:
- Be honest and consistent—contradictions between the written test and interview raise concerns.
- There are no “right answers,” but attempts to deceive are usually noticeable.
- The goal is fitness, not perfection—they want to ensure you're psychologically prepared, not flawless.