Detective

This is responsible law enforcement work investigating crimes and performing other related assignments in plain clothes. Work differs from that of a police officer in that incumbents are responsible for making and completing investigation of crimes of a more serious nature. Work is performed under the general supervision of a higher level police officer. 

Assignments require evaluative thinking and are carried out according to departmental precedents, policies, rules and regulations. Employees exercise a controlling impact on the investigation of crime within as assigned area. Work involves regular exposure to uncontrolled and/or unpredictable conditions and frequent exercise of moderate physical effort.

CONTACT INFORMATION

The analyst responsible for reviewing applications and additional documentation for this job opportunity is

David Ross

City of Philadelphia – Office of Human Resources

1401 JFK Blvd., Room 1530

Philadelphia, PA 19102-1675

Phone: 215-686-2359

Fax: 215-686-0861

Email: David.F.Ross@Phila.gov 

For all other inquiries please contact Customer Service at 215-686-0880 or email hrhelpdesk@phila.gov.

ELIGIBLE LIST: DEPARTMENTAL-ONLY PROMOTIONAL

Only a departmental promotional eligible list for the Philadelphia Police Department will be established as a result of this examination.

Candidates who pass the exam and are placed on the civil service list will be retained on the list for a minimum of one year and a maximum of two years after the establishment of the Eligible List.

PREFERENCE FOR PHILADELPHIA RESIDENTS

Candidates who have maintained a bona fide residence in Philadelphia for at least one year prior to the date of the civil service examination shall have priority over all other people receiving an identical test score. 

To receive such preference, candidates must respond to the question regarding residence on this application. This response will be used to determine eligibility for preference for residents. Documentation of residence may be required if there is any question as to whether you meet the residency preference requirements.

If an applicant does not respond to the appropriate residence question, it will be assumed that the applicant does not qualify for residence preference. Eligibility for residence preference must be determined by the date of the test administration. No requests for residence preference will be granted after the test administration.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
The following source list is in compliance with the 1977 Arbitration Award, which stated that “the City shall publish a source list for those questions that are objective and have but one answer in contradistinction to a subjective question.” These sources will be used as a reference for framing the questions that appear in the written examination.

1. Philadelphia Police Department Directives - Exclude the following 

Directive	Exclude
Patrol Enforcement 3.0	3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.11, 3.12, 3.13, 3.14, 3.15, 3.16, 3.18, 3.19, 3.20, 3.21
Patrol Operations 4.0	4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 4.11, 4.12,  4.17, 4.18, 4.19, 4.20, 4.23, 4.25
Investigations 5.0
Personnel 6.0	6.1, 6.4, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 6.8, 6.9, 6.11, 6.12, 6.13, 6.15, 6.16, 6.18
Support Services 7.0	7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.10, 7.11, 7.13, 7.15, 7.16, 7.18, 7.19
Labor Relations 8.0	8.5, 8.8, 8.9, 8.15, 8.16, 8.18, 8.20
Police Vehicles 9.0	9.2, 9.5, 9.8
Use of Tactics 10.0
Attendance 11.0
Reports 12.0	12.3, 12.9, 12.10, 12.16, 12.17

1. Crimes Code of Pennsylvania, 2025 edition; LexisNexis; ISBN: 9798341701946
2. Criminal Investigation – The Art and The Science, 9th edition; Lyman, M.; Pearson Prentice Hall Publishing, Pearson Education Inc.; ISBN# 9780137496204
3. Report Writing for Crime Scene Investigators, 1st Edition (2022); Pazarena, L., Kessler, M., & Watroba, A.; CRC Press; ISBN 978-0367359973
4. Emotional Survival for Law Enforcement: A Guide for Officers and Their Families, Revised Edition; Gilmartin, Kevin M.; E-S Press; ©2002, revised ©2021; ISBN 9780971725416

• 0.5 points added to their final score if the highest degree received is an Associate’s Degree
• 1.0 point added to their final score if the highest degree received is a Bachelor’s Degree
• 1.5 points added to their final score if the highest degree received is a Master’s Degree.
• Candidates who have successfully completed sixty (60) credits at an accredited college or university toward completion of a degree will have .5 points added to their score.

1. The degree must have been conferred no later than the date of the written exam.
2. An applicant may claim the additional credit at any time after the date that the examination is announced until 30 days after the Published List of Candidates is approved by the Director or his/her designee. If an eligible candidate does not request additional credits or does not submit a transcript until after certifications and appointments have been made, the granting of additional credits shall have no effect on prior certifications and appointments.
3. An applicant must submit adequate documentation as required by the Office of Human Resources. Adequate documentation is an official college transcript.

TIE BREAKING PROCEDURE FOR UNIFORM POLICE PROMOTIONAL EXAMINATIONS
When two or more competitors have the same final average (including credits), and the examination parts are not of equal weight, rank order among the tied competitors shall be determined by ranking their names:

• First, by their grades on the part of the examination, which has the greatest weight
• Second, by their grades on the remaining weighted parts in order of decreasing weight
• by seniority points; and
• by computer-assigned random numbers, or such other appropriate procedure as the Director may determine.

MILITARY LEAVE

Any candidate who intends to make a request to take the test on a date other than the scheduled test date because of military duty on that date, must file a written request and send proof of military duties (ex: official orders) to David F. Ross at David.F.Ross@Phila.gov. 

PROJECTED EXAM DATE:

This examination will be scheduled for April 11, 2026.   Please note that this examination date is subject to change. 

Candidates will need access to a desktop computer or laptop with a webcam and internet access to take the examination. Candidates will need to be able to operate computerized software proficiently and independently. 

If you do not have access to a desktop computer or laptop with a webcam and internet access, or cannot operate computerized software proficiently and independently, please contact the David F. Ross at David.F.Ross@Phila.gov and alternative arrangements will be made for you to take this examination.

ELIGIBLE LIST DATE:

An Eligible List will be established the week of May 4, 2026.  Please note that this date may change.

CERTIFICATION RULE:

Rule of Five (5)

TEST REVIEW:

In accordance with Civil Service Regulation 9.091C, the review of test items will be restricted to the review by a panel of subject matter experts who have been selected according to a method determined by the Human Resources Director. This panel will review the test items prior to scoring and will make any required corrections to the items. After the test has been scored, candidates may review their answer sheets to determine if they have been scored correctly, and appeals will be restricted to scoring. Candidates will have 30 days after the results have been mailed to review. Call 215-686-0880 if you wish to schedule a Test Review.

High School

The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Candidates must meet requirements by the date of the written examination: April 11, 2026.

AND

2. Experience: One year of experience as a Police Officer.

Salary : $95,150 - $99,276