Frequently Asked Questions

You may request an application and a Notice of Examination by:

• Applying on-line (Click here)
• Calling 212-RECRUIT or 800-550-3836. Have an application mailed to you.
• Visiting any Police Precinct, Transit Bureau or Police Service Area and request an application.
• Visiting the DCAS Application Center located at 2 Lafayette Street (17th Floor), New York, NY 10007. This facility is located in lower Manhattan, 2 blocks north of City Hall.

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1. You must complete and submit an application during the respective filing period indicated above:

• You may apply on-line (applications must be submitted by the last day of the filing period of the exam you are applying for)
• Applications must be postmarked by the last day of the filing period of the exam you are applying for and mailed to:

D.C.A.S. Application Section
1 Centre Street, 14th Floor
New York, N.Y. 10007
C/O: Exam # _____, Exam Title: Police Officer

2. You will receive an Admission Card from D.C.A.S. telling you when and where to go to take the exam. You will receive this card 5 to 10 business days before the Exam date. You must then take and pass the exam for New York City Police Officer.

3. After you pass the written exam, your name will be placed on the Police Officer list. Once you are on the list, you usually have up to 4 years to get all the requirements necessary to be appointed.

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Age Requirements: An applicant who is at least 17 ½ years of age by the last date of the application period is permitted to take the examination. An eligible must have attained age 21 to be appointed as a Police Officer. Applicants who are too young for appointment on the date the eligible list is terminated will have no further opportunity for appointment from this list. Only persons who are less than 35 years of age on the first date of the application period for the examination may be appointed as a Police Officer.

Exception to Age Requirements: All persons who were engaged in military duty as defined in Section 243 of the New York Military Law may deduct from their actual age the length of time spent in such military duty, provided the total deduction for military duty does not exceed six years.

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Yes, on or before the date of hire, a candidate must have successfully completed:

• 60 college credits with a 2.0 G.P.A. from an accredited college or university
  OR
• 2 years of full-time active military service in the United States Armed Forces with an honorable discharge and have a high school diploma or it's equivalent.

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Yes.

• Five points will be added to the passing written score of those candidates who have maintained continuous residency within the five boroughs of NYC (Manhattan, Queens, Bronx, Brooklyn or Staten Island). This residency must be maintained through the date the eligible list is established.
• Ten points will be added to the passing written test score of those candidates who have had a parent die while engaged in the discharge of his or her duties as a uniformed member of the NYPD. FDNY, NYC Transit PD or NYC Housing Authority PD.
• Ten points will be added to the passing written test score of those candidates who are siblings of police officers or firefighters killed in the line of duty during the attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.
• Five points will be added to the passing written test score of those candidates who have all of the following:
• 1. Resident of New York State at the time of eligible list establishment
  2. Have been discharged honorably or released under honorable conditions
  3. Have served full-time active duty, other than active duty for training in the United States Armed Forces During the Persian Gulf conflict, August 2nd 1990 through date to be determined OR
  4. Have received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Navy Expeditionary Medal or the Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal for either:
  5. • Hostilities in Lebanon: June 1, 1983 through December 1, 1987
     • or Hostilities in Grenada; October 23, 1983 through November 21, 1983 or
     • Hostilities in Panama; December 20, 1989 through January 31, 1990.

Note: The above credits (points) will only be added to an already passing score and cannot be used to supplement a failing test score to make that score a passing one. All such claims will be investigated. Instructions on how to apply for these credits will be provided on the day of the exam.

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Yes. The NYPD helps you to prepare for the Police Officer Exam in two ways: We offer an Online tutorial session and a downloadable Test Preparation Booklet.

Click Here for our exam tutorials

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Police Officers perform general police duties and related work in the New York City Police Department. They patrol an assigned area on foot or in a vehicle; apprehend crime suspects; intervene in various situations involving crimes in progress, aided cases, complaints, emotionally disturbed persons, etc; respond to and investigate vehicular accidents; investigate specific offenses; interact with prisoners; operate and maintain patrol vehicle; issues summonses; obtain information regarding incidents by interviewing witnesses, victims, and/or complainants; safeguard and voucher found, seized or recovered property; provide information to the public; handle situations involving maltreated, abused or missing children; interact with juveniles; prepare forms and reports; testify in court; and perform related work.

Some of the physical activities by police officers and environmental conditions experience are: working outdoors in all kinds of weather; walking and/or standing in an assigned area during a tour; driving or sitting in a patrol car during a tour while remaining alert; running after a fleeing suspect; climbing up stairs; carrying an injured adult with assistance; gripping persons to prevent escape; restraining a suspect by use of handcuffs; detecting odors such as those caused by smoke or gas leaks; engaging in hand to hand struggles to subdue a suspect resisting arrest; being physically active for prolonged periods of time; understanding verbal communications over the radio with background noise; reading and writing under low light conditions; carrying or wearing heavy equipment and wearing a bulletproof vest.

(This is a brief description of what you might do in this position and does not include all the duties of this position.)

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After a candidate has successfully passed the written examination, candidates must also pass a character and background examination, oral psychological and written exam, drug/alcohol screening, medical physical and physical agility test.

Some factors that are cause for disqualifications:

• Any Conviction of an offense which is punishable by one or more years imprisonment (Felony)
• Any repeated convictions of an offense which indicate a disrespect for the law, a lack of good moral character or disposition towards violence and disorder
• Discharge from employment, where such discharge indicates poor behavior and/or inability adjusting to discipline
• A Dishonorable Discharge from the Armed Forces
• Persons convicted of a Petit Larceny
• Persons convicted of Any Domestic Violence offense

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The NYPD hires police officers twice yearly; usually during January and July.

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For more information please call (212) RECRUIT or (800) 550-3836.

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