Amy Britta Watt Coaching Logo

Why is the NYPD So Competitive?

 
The New York Police Department (NYPD) has approximately 24,000 sworn officers. This number includes the uniformed officers patrolling the streets and those dedicated to sections or filling administrative roles.
 
Each one is dedicated to serving the citizens and visitors of New York City. With the prestige of working for the NYPD, it is no wonder that getting hired as an officer is very competitive. But, just how competitive is it? We answer that—and how to become an NYPD officer—below.


How to Become an NYPD Officer

To become a police officer in the NYPD, you will first have to show that you can succeed in this demanding but rewarding career.
 
Most other jobs require the submission of an impressive resume and a good interview. However, a candidate for a police officer position with the NYPD must do much more. First, there is an application for the NYPD, followed by a civil service exam, psychological and physical exam, background check, and more.


Eligibility Requirements for the NYPD

Before you get to the application process, you must first determine your eligibility for hire with the NYPD.
 
The basics include:

There are training and education requirements for the job, as well. You can meet these with transcripts showing that you have completed 60 college credits and had a minimum 2.0 GPA. The other option is providing documentation that proves you served two or more years of active duty in the military.
 
Your criminal history must be free of any felony convictions, domestic violence charges, and you also can't have a dishonorable discharge from any branch of the military. You must also pass a drug and alcohol screening.
 
Disqualification is also possible if you have had previous issues with authority or regular job termination because this indicates that you are not well suited to the police force.


Ace the Civil Service Exam

Once you have successfully submitted your application for the NYPD, you will need to pass a written civil service exam.
 
The test is similar to an aptitude test. It will assess your attention to detail, memory, observational skills, reasoning and logic, and spatial orientation. The better your score, the more desirable you are as a candidate. The test can take up to two and a half hours to complete.
 
Your hiring as an NYPD officer is not guaranteed after you successfully complete this exam. However, it can help your chances. This is why it is crucial to prepare as much as possible, and the best way to do this is to study for it.
 
The NYPD offers a test preparation tutorial. However, once you have the study material, it is in your best interest to hire a Certified Emergency Services Specialist to help further your chances of being hired by the NYPD.


The NYPD Physical Exam

As a police officer, you will need physical endurance, agility, and fitness. To prove that you can meet the job's physical demands, the NYPD requires you to pass a job standards test.
 
You will need to complete a continuous physical exam in 4 minutes and 28 seconds for the job standards test. The test includes a sprint for 50 feet, climbing stairs, dragging a mannequin, simulating a physical restraint, running in pursuit, and more.
 
Again, preparation is vital for success with the Job Standards Test. Arrive dressed for a physical test. Prepare by practicing the required skills and being in good shape.
 
If you cannot complete the required physical skills, it could be beneficial to join a gym. Find a trainer who can help you with a specific program designed to build the skills required to complete the physical components of the exam.


The Psychological Exam

NYPD officers are required to be mentally prepared to take on the pressure of the high-demand job. You will need to authorize the NYPD access to a background check and fingerprinting, a medical examination, and alcohol and drug screening.
 
You will also undergo detailed written psychological tests and then meet with a psychologist for an oral interview.


Pre-employment Interview

If you are successful in all aspects of the recruitment process and have high scores on the physical and aptitude test, the NYPD will extend an invitation to a pre-employment interview to you.
 
Your employment is mainly dependent on this aspect of the hiring process, so it is essential to be prepared. A certified interview strategist, such as Police Test Tutor, can help. With an award-winning interview methodology, the interview strategist acts as a coach to help you frame your interview answers, so you can shake those interview nerves and deliver the best possible responses. With a mock interview and tutoring from a certified interview strategist, you will help elevate yourself to be seen as the best candidate for an NYPD officer job.
 
After a successful interview, the NYPD will add you to a list for future police academy training. If you do get a job offer, you will attend the police academy, located on a 32-acre campus in Queens, to train to become a police officer for New York City.
 
You will learn about counterterrorism, intelligence gathering, surveillance measures, community policing, de-escalation strategies, and other training scenarios at the academy. There will also be some simulations where you will learn methods for effective policing.


Police Test Tutor

Being an NYPD officer is a rewarding and lucrative career, so the recruitment process is competitive. Therefore, mental acuity, physical fitness, and preparation are critical to your success as a potential candidate so that you receive a job offer at the end of the hiring process.
 
Studying for the entrance exam and ensuring that you are physically prepared are essential to achieve your goals to become an NYPD officer. Still, the best way you can give yourself a leg up on the competition is by hiring Police Test Tutor to help with the interview portion of the process.
 
Contact Police Test Tutor today, and be on your way to the policing career of your dreams.