LBPD AGENCY EFFORTS TO ATTRACT, HIRE AND RETAIN HIGH-QUALITY POLICE OFFICERS

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf recently signed into law the first two law enforcement reforms.  These are:

• Act 57 requiring pre-employment background checks; and
• Act 59 requiring mental health evaluations for police officers

The LBPD is committed to an effective and fair selection process that results in the appointment of police officers who best possess the skills, knowledge and abilities necessary for an effective police agency.  The LBPD officers are civil service employees and therefore guidelines set by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Lititz Borough Civil Service Commission must be met prior to the hiring of uniformed police officers and/or their promotions.

Eligible candidates go through a thorough and complete vetting process which includes written and physical testing, background investigations, interviews and physical and mental competency evaluations.  This must all be successfully completed before a candidate can even be considered for hiring.  Once hired, the LBPD has in place a comprehensive field training program which all newly-hired officers must successfully complete within the one-year probationary period which meets PLEAC Accreditation standards.  Any officer who cannot meet minimum performance standards or who conducts themselves in a manner unbecoming of a police officer will not be retained.

The hiring, firing, promotion, demotion and discipline processes are ultimately decided by civilian oversight boards by way of the Lititz Borough Council, who are elected residents of Lititz Borough and the Lititz Borough Civil Service Commission, who are Lititz Borough residents appointed by the Lititz Borough Council.

The two pieces of legislation signed into law by Governor Wolf address pre—employment background checks and mental health evaluations for police officers.  It is important to note that the LBPD (any many other police departments) already have vetting systems in place for pre-employment background and selection processes, along with systems in place for ensuring initial and continued officer health and well-being, both physically and mentally.

The LBPD is guided by Civil Service regulations, State law, PLEAC Accreditation requirements, professional best-practices and LBPD written directives related to background and selection of police officer applicants.

• General Order 1.5.1 (Selection Process).
• General Order 1.9.1 (Background Investigations).
• General Order 1.9.2. (Medical Examinations and Drug Screens).
• General Order 1.9.3 (Psychological Examinations).

The LBPD background investigation and selection process includes, at a minimum:

• Psychological examinations by a licensed psychiatrist, who follow the requirements of the Municipal Police Officers' Education & Training Commission (MPOETC).
• Medical and drug screening, including a physical examination by a licensed physician who follows the requirements of the MPOETC.
• Review of prior criminal history records.
• Review of personal credit.
• Interviews of neighbors and other persons who know the applicant.
• Interviews of previous employers.
• Applicant interviews with Lititz Borough civilian oversight boards to include the Lititz Borough Council and the Lititz Borough Civil Service Commission.
• Verification of credentials, education, etc.
• Review of driver history records.
• Review of social media accounts.
• Polygraph examination.

Additionally, the LBPD has written directive in place requiring police officers to undergo emotional debriefing with a psychologist within 5 days after the use of force which results in death or serious bodily injury. 

• General Order 1.3.7 (Reassignment After Use of Force).

The ability to attract, hire and retain high-quality police officers who embrace the community-oriented style of policing by the LBPD is a top priority in our selection process.