Many people aspire to join law enforcement for various reasons. Some have to continue their family tradition of being in the forces, while others grew up with the passion of becoming a cop. However, no matter the reason, becoming a police officer isn’t easy, and it involves many challenging and competitive steps. Did you know that 35% of candidates pass the test, and only 10% are recruited? While passing the test isn’t enough to become a police officer, you can do it in the right way and stand out from the crowd.

The Suffolk County Police Department announced the date for the upcoming Suffolk County Police Exam, i.e., June 17, 2023. It’s one of the most anticipated police exams because it only occurs after every four years. At Civil Service Success, our goal is to help candidates pass the Suffolk County Police Test on their first try, so they don’t have to wait another four years. Here’s everything you need to know about the Suffolk County Police job.

Suffolk County Police Department – SCPD

Located 20 miles from New York City, the SCPD is a local civilian agency that covers 5 out of 10 towns in Suffolk County. These towns include Babylon, Islip, Huntington, Brookhaven, and Smithtown. As a metropolis in the NYS, Suffolk County experiences various kinds of law enforcement issues daily, keeping the police department busy. There are over 2500 sworn officers with 600+ civilians.

The SCPD was established in 1960 to combat the alarming rise in the crime rate during post second world-era. Currently, there are seven precincts in the Suffolk County Police Department, with a Detective Bureau, Marine Bureau, Identification Bureau, Central Records Bureau, and a Police Academy for training recruits. The SCPD also has nine specialized units, listed as follows:

• Auxiliary police
• Identity theft
• Impound section
• Hate crimes
• Citizens Police Academy
• Pistol license
• Property auctions
• Highway Patrol
• Emergency services

Eligibility Criteria for Suffolk Police Job

Qualifying Age

To qualify for the Suffolk Police job, you need to be aged between 19 and 35 years. If you’ve turned 35 on the day of the exam date (or before), you won’t be eligible for the position. In addition, you can only join the forces once you turn 21.

Those individuals who have served in military duty can deduct up to six years from their age for each year of duty to meet the requirements.

Education

The minimum education requirements are a high school diploma or GED. Although no college credit is required, having a bachelor’s degree in sociology or criminology can improve your chances of selection.

Residency and Citizenship

Candidates must have US citizenship at the time of job appointment (not during the exam) and must be residents of NYC, Suffolk, or Nassau County.

License

Candidates need a valid NYS driver’s license at the time of the job appointment.

Read more about minimum requirements at JoinSCPD.com.

Recruitment Process at the Suffolk County Police Department

The SCPD recruits new officers or promotes the existing ones through civil service exams. As mentioned, these exams are held once in four years. It consists of the following steps:

Suffolk Police Application

To apply to the SCPD, you have to fill out the online Suffolk police application. The last date to fill these applications is April 19, 2023, so you’ve plenty of time to figure out all the details and fulfill all requirements. The application asks questions regarding your education and professional experience. You also get an option for signing up for the Police Spanish Speaking Exam.

Along with the application, you must pay a non-fundable exam fee of $125. This fee is exempted for the following individuals:

• Veterans
• Auxiliary Police
• Volunteer CERT members
• Local fire district members
• Local ambulance members
• Medicaid recipients
• Public assistance recipients
• Unemployed individuals

Suffolk County Police Written Test

Once the civil service commission accepts your application, you’ll have to appear for a written test. This test doesn’t require specific industry knowledge and determines your cognitive and comprehension skills. Anyone who meets the eligibility criteria can appear for this test, so you’ll be competing against many candidates; some can be more experienced or educated than you. That’s why it’s crucial to prepare for the written exam at a reliable preparatory school like Civil Service Success.

The written test consists of multiple choice questions regarding:

• Grammar
• Vocabulary
• Math skills
• Problem-solving
• Memory
• Logical Reasoning

Medical Assessment

After clearing the test, you’ll have to undergo multiple screening phases, including the medical assessment. Here the professionals will test your vision, hearing, blood pressure, electrocardiogram, etc., to ensure that you don’t have any underlying problems.

Character Assessment

The SCPD conducts background checks to verify your identity and ensure good character. They look for criminal records, tendencies toward violence, poor behavior in previous jobs, any terminations, etc.

Recommended Read: 8 Common Reasons for Rejection When Applying for a Job as a Police Officer

Psychological Assessment

This test includes an oral interview where psychologists will ask various questions to assess your personality traits. It can last up to 1 hour.

Physical Assessment

Lastly, you’ll have to appear for an agility test where the professionals will assess your physical abilities for the job. It includes push-ups, sit-ups, and a 1.5-mile run. You can watch this SCPD video to get a better idea.

Training

After successfully passing the screening phases, all recruits undergo a training program at the Police Academy. The training lasts for six months, followed by an 18-month probationary period.

Get All the Guidance You Need for Suffolk County Police Exam

Getting a job in the SCPD can be quite challenging due to the lengthy process, age restrictions, and fierce competition. At Civil Service Success, we’ve been preparing candidates for federal and civil service jobs for the past 40 years. Our instructors ensure that you’re well-prepared for the written exam and other screening stages.

If you want to increase your chances of selection for the Suffolk County Job, enroll in our Suffolk Police Exam Course. From exam application to written and oral exams, our instructors will offer all the guidance you need. Contact us for details or join our email list to get notified about the class schedule.