Career Opportunities in New York State Law Enforcement

Municipal Police Officer/Deputy Sheriff

Salary Information

Starting Salary

Varies by Municipal Agency

Please note that local examinations for positions in police departments and sheriff's offices are also being held on the same date. A list of all local examinations is available here . If you are interested in any of these examinations, please apply through the local civil service agency listed.

Where the Positions are Located and Duties

Where the Positions are Located

Appointments to positions in municipal police departments and sheriff's offices will be made from this eligible list if certified to a municipal civil service agency at their request, in the absence of a mandatory local eligible list.

Duties

Municipal Police Officers/Deputy Sheriffs enforce all New York State and local laws. Municipal Police Officers/Deputy Sheriffs are charged with full police officer powers under Criminal Procedure Law, Section 1.20(34)(s) and are responsible for the performance of the full range of professional police duties. Municipal Police Officers/Deputy Sheriffs assist other Local, State and Federal police officers with investigations and may collect evidence, question witnesses or testify in court in connection with alleged criminal actions. Municipal Police Officers/Deputy Sheriffs are actively involved in their communities and activities including educating community members on such topics as personal safety, risk awareness, crime prevention, alcohol awareness, sexual assault prevention and other community safety issues.

Minimum Qualifications

On or before September 17, 2022, you must have:

Either 1: 60 college semester credit hours;

Or 2: 30 college semester credit hours AND two years of active military service with an honorable discharge or under conditions in the New York State Restoration of Honor Act;

Or 3: 30 semester credit hours AND successful completion of a New York State Municipal Police Training Council approved Pre-Employment Training Program AND eligibility to complete the second phase of such training program that has not lapsed.

Education Requirements

If you expect to meet the educational requirements by June 30, 2023, you can take the test. You MUST submit proof of successful completion of the educational requirements to the Municipal Civil Service Agency and/or the appointing authority at the time of the employment interview or you will not be considered for appointment. Failure to meet the educational requirements by June 30, 2023, may result in your removal from the eligible list.

As stated in Section 58 of the Civil Service Law, at the time of appointment, you must have a high school diploma, high school equivalency diploma issued by a recognized educational authority, or a USAFI GED high school level diploma.

Your required educational credentials must have been awarded by an educational institution accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the United States (U.S.) Department of Education/Secretary of Education. If awarded by an institution outside of the U.S. and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency. A list of companies that provide these services (fees must be paid to the company you choose) can be found at: http://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/degrees.cfm.

Additional Requirements for Appointment or Continued Employment:

Additional Requirements for Appointment

You must meet the below requirements to be appointed and for continued employment.

Agility: A physical agility performance test consisting of a distance run, sit-ups, and push-ups must be successfully completed. The physical agility standards and details may be obtained at: https://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/local/

Appropriate Eligible List: This examination is being held pursuant to section 23(4) of the Civil Service Law which provides that a municipal commission, in the absence of an eligible list of its own, may request the state civil service department to furnish it with the names of persons on an appropriate eligible list established by the department.

Background Investigation: Due to the nature of these positions, there is a background investigation, including, but not limited to: education, military, employment, credit, drug use and criminal records. Applicants must authorize access to these records. This investigation may include interviews of family, neighbors, associates, and others. Derogatory information will be evaluated and may result in disqualification. A complete background check will be required, including a fingerprint check with the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services and the FBI. You may be responsible for payment of the required fees. All convictions must be reported. Conviction of a felony or misdemeanor, or any falsified or omitted information, may bar appointment or result in removal after appointment, depending upon the relationship of the violation or omission to the duties of the position.

Driver's License Requirement: You must possess a valid license to operate a motor vehicle in New York State at the time of appointment and continuously thereafter.

Drug Testing: Prior to appointment, you may be required to participate in a drug-screening test and may be responsible for payment of the clinical lab fee. Failure to meet the standards may result in your disqualification. Probationary employees may be subject to periodic, unannounced drug testing for the purpose of determining whether they have used a substance in violation on the Random Drug Testing program. Refusals can subject the employee to disciplinary action and may lead to dismissal. Cannabis use is not permitted for employees in this title. Cannabis use may be tested for during the pre-employment screening process and may be the basis for disqualification for employment or may be a basis for removal from employment.

Firearms: Appointees must successfully complete an assigned firearms training and annual re-qualification and display continued proficiency. Denial or loss of a firearm permit may result in removal from employment in this position.

Physical/Medical: An evaluation of your physical and medical condition will be performed by the municipal civil service agency to ensure that you are able to perform the duties of this position with or without reasonable accommodation. The physical/medical standards include but are not limited to height and weight, speech, vision, hearing, cardiovascular, respiratory system, and neurological health requirements. A complete statement of the physical and medical standards is available at: https://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/local/ A medical examination is required prior to appointment and you may be responsible for payment of the clinical laboratory test fee.

Psychological Evaluation: You may be required to participate in a psychological evaluation to determine your fitness to perform the essential duties of the position prior to appointment as provided by the Municipal Police Training Council (MPTC) regulations available at: https://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/local/

Public Officers Status: Appointees are considered public officers under state law. You must be a resident of New York State and at least 20 years old at the time of appointment. You cannot have passed your 35th birth date on the date of the written test. To meet the age requirement for the written test, you can subtract time spent on military duty or on terminal leave, not exceeding a total of seven years, from your age. (Example: You will be 37 years old on the test date and you've had 3 years of military duty. 37 - 3 = an eligible age of 34 for the purpose of this test.)

Tattoo Policy: Eligibles must comply with the tattoo policy of the municipal police agency to which they are seeking appointment. This policy may require members to present a neat and professional appearance at all times which may require that tattoos, brands, body piercings and other body art shall not be visible while a member is in uniform or other business attire.

Training: Within one year of initial appointment, you must successfully complete a designated police basic training course in order to be certified as a police officer and retained in this position. The position is subject to a probationary period as provided by the municipal civil service agency's rules.

United State Citizenship and New York State Residency: Although not required for taking the test, you must be a citizen of the United States at the time of appointment. If appointed, you must also possess and maintain New York State residency pursuant to the Public Officers Law.

To Apply

If you are interested in an examination for this position, visit the Careers Opportunites in New York State Law Enforcement page for further information on how to apply.