The Philadelphia Police Department (PPD), the nation's fourth-largest police force, offers a structured recruitment program for aspiring police officers. The program encompasses a multi-step hiring process, including application submission, examinations, and evaluations. Candidates who successfully navigate this process undergo extensive training at the Police Academy, followed by an 18-month probationary period before attaining permanent officer status. The PPD is committed to attracting a diverse and qualified applicant pool, offering support resources such as physical agility fitness programs and reading assistance for the Nelson-Denny Reading Test.