FAQs Regarding Joining New York City Police Department

If you’re one of those courageous people who want to commit their lives to save lives and curb crime rates by becoming a part of the New York City Police Department, then this blog post is for you.

The New York City Police Department (NYPD) is one of the biggest and oldest established police departments in the United States, having a team of 36,000 officers. We will discuss the New York City Police Department’s hiring process and some Frequently Asked Questions that can come to your mind regarding this process.

How to Apply to NYPD?

To apply to NYPD, you must meet specific criteria. Unlike a regular job which would require you to submit a resume and proceed with an interview, the process for applying to the NYPD is much more extensive.

Even though the appointment is permissible when you’re twenty-one years of age, you can sit for the NYPD Entrance Exam at seventeen and a half years of age (17 ½), up until you are thirty-five years of age. You will need to submit an application, pass the civil service exam, make it through all the psychological and background checks, along with the written and physical tests, to be considered a candidate for the NYPD.

What Are the Eligibility Criteria of Applying to NYPD Besides Age?

All the citizens who meet the age mentioned earlier are required to pass the entrance exam, medical assessments, written and verbal, psychological exams, physical fitness test, and clear the background investigation. Although young people are encouraged to apply, they cannot be appointed as police officers until they are twenty-one years old.

Can Any U.S. citizen apply to NYPD?

To be a part of NYPD, it is essential to have a valid New York driver’s license and live in one of the five administrative areas of New York City. These areas include Suffolk, Nassau, Westchester, Rockland, Orange, or Putnamcounties. Residency should be at least 30 days before being hired by the NYPD.

How Many Different Test Assessments Are There?

The different test assessments candidates need to include a written examination that tests basic deductive and logical reasoning to identify the candidate’s personality. Next is a standard job test that assesses their physical strength and agility.

Furthermore, there are background, psychological, and medical examinations which need to be cleared to progress to the interview process. Since being a part of the NYPD involves driving, you must also have a valid New York City driver’s license.

How to Prepare For the Written Exam?

The written exam tests your knowledge of law enforcement in the United States and how well you would perform there. Some of the topics include written expression and communication, comprehension analysis, memory tests, logical and inductive reasoning, and much more.

These skills vary from person to person and determine a host of characteristics similar to personality and aptitude tests. Since these skills are a product of nature and nurture, they assess your strengths and weaknesses.

How Does a Job Standard Test Assess You?

Being a part of the NYPD is physically demanding and requires a peak fitness level. Therefore, the six categories in the NYPD job standard test involve victim rescue and stare climb (similar to rescue test in FDNY), trigger pull, chase, and more strenuous physical assessments.

The challenge is not just completing and passing these tests but passing them in under four and a half minutes.

What Does a Background Check Entail?

Once you’ve passed the written and physical fitness tests, the other tests involve background, psychological, and medical assessments.

Moreover, a drug and alcohol screening is required to ensure candidates do not have a history of drug abuse. Records are also verified, and previous employers contacted to confirm information about the candidate. Anyone with a prior criminal history, disqualification from the U.S. military, and history of domestic violence is disqualified. The NYPD has no room for felons or those who do not abide by the law.

Do You Need Any Prior Educational or Work Experience Before Applying for NYPD?

Prior educational requirements for applying to the NYPD are sixty college credits with a minimum GPA of around 2.0 from a renowned or accredited institution. If you do not meet this criterion, an alternative to this condition can be two years of active military service.

What Are the Salary and Other Benefits?

Being a part o the NYPD offers a competitive and reliable package, including paid sick leave and vacation, along with retirement funds. There is also allowance for working opportunities if one wishes to work overtime.

Once five years of service have been fulfilled, you are eligible for a paid vacation leave of around twenty-seven days. Starting salary is approximately $42,500 and rises by more than double after completing five and a half years of service.

Do You Need Any Knowledge of Policing Before the Test?

Most people believe they require additional knowledge and experience of being a part of the police force to appear for the exam. This isn’t true as preparing for the test and passing it along with getting through all the other checks is enough to allow you to land a spot at the New York Police Academy.

How Long Does It Take to Get Hired For NYPD?

There is no defined time limit or period for being called back or for completing the entire process. All those candidates who pass the exams are eligible to be employed as a member of the NYPD. However, passing is simply not enough, and you should get the highest score to increase the probability of getting selected.

 

At Civil Service Success, we offer Suffolk county police exam classes to prepare you for the Suffolk police tests and all other civil service tests as per your interest. We also offer prep classes for civil services in New York City.

Our experience of over forty-five years has helped many candidates secure top marks and land the job of their dreams. We offer to make up classes, exam workshops, and guidance over the interview process. Get in touch with us to learn more about our services.