Council lowers police written exam passing score, revises agility standards in Resolution 30

Lebanon City Council on a 5-0 roll-call vote approved Resolution 30, changing local Police Civil Service Commission rules to lower the passing score for the police written exam from 80% to 75% and to revise certain physical agility requirements. The council voted to adopt the resolution after discussion and public comment; the city said applications will open immediately.

Council members said the change is intended to make the department more competitive in recruiting. Mayor said the adjustment aligns the city with sister municipalities and clarified that state-mandated training remains in place: “In order to become more competitive in the hiring process, we recommend revising the passing score for the written exam from 80% to 75,” the mayor said, adding that Reading, Lancaster, Harrisburg and York use a 75% threshold. The mayor also described proposed deletions and running requirement changes in the physical agility test while noting that Act 120-certified candidates must still meet MOPEC-set agility standards.

Supporters on council argued the written score reduction recognizes that written testing is only one facet of officer performance. “The physical agility requirements just makes sense,” Councilmember Sean said. He added his belief that many qualities of excellent officers are not measured by a written test given immediately after exertion. City staff and the police captain told the council that Act 120 academy training and certification remain required and would surface any candidate deficiencies during initial training.

A resident, Robert (Bobby) Lavati, spoke during public comment and said he was conflicted about lowering requirements: he called it “sad that we have to reduce our requirements,” while acknowledging the need for manpower. After public comment, City Clerk Cheryl called the roll: Missus Hados, Mister McGuire, Mister Morales, Mister Potash and Chairman Martin voted yes; the resolution was adopted. The council noted that, if approved, applications would open immediately.

Discussion (not a formal change in statute) emphasized recruitment concerns, comparability with nearby cities and the retention of state certification requirements. Formal action taken: adoption of Resolution 30; the council did not change Act 120 or state training rules, which the mayor and staff said remain prerequisites.

The change affects applicants for the Lebanon Police Department; implementation details such as revised examination notices and effective date were discussed by staff. The mayor and staff also referenced that candidate fitness standards set by MOPEC and the Act 120 certification process remain prerequisites and will continue to be enforced by the training academies and the city.