CHESTER, PA — The City of Chester Police Department is opening the door to new recruits, launching a hiring process that will establish an eligibility list for future patrol officers as the city works to strengthen public safety staffing.
The City of Chester announced that applications are currently being accepted and must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. on Friday, February 27, 2026. Applications are available online at https://www.chestercity.com/jobs/civil-service-employment/.
Officials said the process includes multiple testing phases, starting with a mandatory physical agility test scheduled for Sunday, March 8, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. at Widener University. Only candidates who pass the physical test will be permitted to advance to the written civil service examination.
The written exam is scheduled for Friday, March 20, 2026, at City Hall’s Community Room, located at 1 East Fourth Street in Chester. Check-in will begin at 9:30 a.m., with testing starting promptly at 10:00 a.m. Applicants must present valid photo identification and arrive on time, as late arrivals will not be admitted.
Candidates must be at least 21 years old as of the written examination date and submit required documentation with their application, including proof of legal authorization to work in the United States, a high school diploma or GED, and a valid driver’s license or passport. Additional documentation is required for applicants claiming veterans’ preference or holding Act 120 certification.
A non-refundable $35 processing fee is required and must be submitted by money order or cashier’s check payable to the City of Chester. Applications submitted without the fee or missing required documentation will not be processed, officials said.
Completed applications may be submitted by certified or priority mail, FedEx or UPS, email to civilservice@cityofchesterpa.gov, or in person by appointment only. Walk-in submissions are not permitted. In-person appointments must be scheduled in advance by calling 610-447-7803 or emailing civilservice@cityofchesterpa.gov.
Applicants who are hired must live within a 50-mile radius of the City of Chester or establish residency within that distance within three months of hire. Those without Act 120 certification who are sponsored by the city to attend the police academy will be required to commit to five years of employment following completion of training or potentially reimburse the city for training-related costs if they leave early.
Veterans who qualify may receive preference points added to their written exam score, provided proper documentation is submitted by the application deadline. Officials noted that veterans’ preference applies only to the written examination and does not guarantee advancement in other phases.
The City of Chester said applicants are responsible for monitoring their email for official communications and warned that providing false or misleading information could result in disqualification at any stage of the process.
Additional information and application materials are available through the city’s employment portal at http://chestercity.com/jobs. Questions about the hiring process may be directed to the Office of Human Resources at civilservice@cityofchesterpa.gov.
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