The Suffolk County Police Officer Exam 2027 is scheduled to be an important entry point for people seeking a career with the Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD), as well as police positions in participating towns and villages throughout Suffolk County, New York.
According to the official Suffolk County Department of Civil Service announcement, the 2027 Police Officer examination is scheduled for June 5, 2027, with applications due by April 1, 2027. The examination is an open-competitive civil service exam, meaning applicants do not have to be current government employees to compete.
Suffolk County police compensation varies widely: median total pay in 2024 was $116,975, with starting salaries around $43,000–$50,000 and top earnings exceeding $189,801–$273,000 depending on rank, overtime, and years of service.
Important 2027 Exam Dates
The currently published schedule is:
Application period: Opens April 1, 2027
Application deadline: April 1, 2027
Written examination: June 5, 2027
Application fee: $125
Spanish-speaking examination: Also scheduled for June 5, 2027
Because civil service announcements can be amended, applicants should check the official Suffolk County Civil Service website for updates during the filing period.
Civil Service Success is offering a Preparation class in the months of April & May 2027. This Hybrid course provides live in person study classes and online study sessions.
What Is on the Suffolk County Police Exam?
The 2027 written examination will use a multiple-choice format. Rather than focusing primarily on traditional academic subjects, the exam is designed to assess areas including:
- Cognitive abilities
- Work styles
- Background information
The county specifically instructs applicants to answer the questions truthfully. False responses can constitute examination fraud and may result in disqualification under New York Civil Service Law.
A candidate preparation guide and online tutorial are scheduled to be made available beginning around April 3, 2027. Applicants will receive an access code when they apply, and online applicants can access the code through their Suffolk County Civil Service e-filing account.
Who Is Eligible?
The published announcement establishes several basic requirements.
Education
Applicants must have graduated from a standard senior high school or possess a qualifying high-school-equivalency diploma by the time of appointment.
Age
Candidates must generally be at least 20 years old by June 5, 2027. Someone who will turn 20 after the examination may participate if they are 19 by the exam date, but appointment cannot begin until they reach the required age.
Candidates who reach their 43rd birthday on or before June 5, 2027 generally are not eligible, subject to the military-service age deduction provisions described in the announcement.
Driver’s License
Candidates must possess a New York State motor vehicle operator’s license at the time of appointment.
Citizenship
Applicants must be United States citizens at the time of appointment.
Residency
There is no Suffolk County residency requirement to compete in the examination. However, the announcement explains that residency preferences may apply when candidates are being considered for certain town or village position
