The Lancaster County Chiefs of Police Association is holding a cooperative testing process in September for police officer positions available in the county.
The registration deadline for applicants hoping to serve as police officers in the county is Aug. 12.
So far - and consistent with a national trend of decreased interest in public-service jobs - there have been few applicants. Local officials said the number of applicants for the Lancaster County testing consortium are lowest since the program started in 2007.
District Attorney Craig Stedman, while citing the national climate of police-resident relationships, stressed the need for high-quality applicants to serve in law-enforcement positions.
"In the last year or so, we have seen the police under attack because of who they are, as well as delegitimized in rhetoric like never before," Stedman said Friday, "so it is no surprise applicants are down."
"The current atmosphere has not benefitted the law-abiding and now we are seeing fewer people stepping up to make the commitment to serve," he said.
Here's how the local process works:
For a $75 fee, candidates take a physical assessment and written exam, with results valid for 12 months of application for police positions which become available.
The physical assessment is Sept. 10 and 11, with the written exam immediately after. Applicants must be available for both days.
Again, deadline to register is Aug. 12.
There are no guarantees on how many positions will be posted during the 12-month period.
Those who successfully complete the testing are eligible for future postings, sent through Policeapp.
Police officers, and strong ties with their communities, are crucial to public safety, Stedman said.
"We really are at a crisis point as to what direction our country is going to take, and at the center is having a strong, dedicated, well-staffed, and professional police force," the district attorney said. "They need support from the community they serve and that includes good applicants."
The next round of testing will happen in fall of 2016, with registration in spring of 2016.
For more information and to register, visit: http://web.co.lancaster.pa.us/985/Employment, or contact John Bowman, Chief of East Lampeter police, at 717-291-4676.
MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041, or bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us