>> Well, currently in the state of Pennsylvania, you only need to have a high school diploma
to become a municipal police officer.
So, for me, it was as simple as applying.
I already had my bachelor's degree from [inaudible] University.
So I met that requirement.
But then once you apply, you have to go through a very rigorous background
and interview process where they give you a polygraph.
They do a very extensive background check.
They talk to your old teachers.
They talk to your neighbors.
They talk to your parents to make sure that you have the characteristics
that are quality for a police officer, you know.
You know, integrity, honesty, you know, things of that nature.
And then psych eval to make sure that you're mentally stable.
And then you also have to pass a physical fitness portion where you have to do a mile
and a half, a sprint, pushups, sit-ups.
And I'm not sure if this changed over the last two years.
I believe it has slightly.
But basically you have to be able to prove that you're physically fit and able to do the job.
And once you do that, you go through a selection process.
And once you complete it, if you make the list as far as being one of the top candidates,
you then go on to the police academy.
And there's a number of police academies throughout the state.
In Lancaster, we go to Reading Police Academy, which is where I attended.