MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT
THE SUFFOLK COUNTY CIVIL SERVICE POLICE EXAM

Q. WHAT ARE THE PHYSICAL FITNESS SCREENING TEST REQUIREMENTS?
A. Click on this link for the Physical Fitness Screening Test Requirements.

Q. HOW CAN I OBTAIN AN APPLICATION?
A. There are several ways to obtain an application.

1. Our next exam is not until sometime in the spring of 2011 at the present time you can request to be placed on our mailing list by either going to our web site at www.joinscpd.com and link onto “How receive an application by mail” and follow the procedures or call us at 1-800-SCPD-EXAM (1-800-727-3926) to request to be placed on our mailing list for the 2011 Police Exam. Applications will be mailed out approximately three months prior to the announced exam date in 2011.

2. One year prior to the test date (tentatively spring of 2010) until two months before the test date (tentatively early spring of 2011) you will be able to apply directly on line with a credit card at www.suffolkcountyny.gov/civilservice or you will be able to pick up an application at anyone of our precincts, Police Headquarters in Yaphank, the Police Academy in Brentwood Exit 53 off the Long Island Expressway, the Department of Civil Service in Hauppauge and other various locations that will be announced at that time.

Q. WHEN IS THE NEXT EXAM?
A. TO BE ANNOUNCED

Q. WHAT IS THE LAST DATE FOR FILING?
A. TO BE ANNOUNCED

Q. WHERE IS THE LOCATION FOR TAKING THE EXAM?
A. There are various locations, the Department of Civil Service will contact you by mail about two weeks prior to the exam as to the location you will be taking the exam. If you do not receive word contact the Department of Civil Service at (631) 853-5500.

Q. IS THERE AN AGE RESTRICTION?
A. YES
On the date of the exam applicants must be between the ages of 19 and 34 years old to take the exam. Applicants that turn 35 on the date of the written exam will be permitted to take the exam. (Applicants with active military duty, as defined in Section 243 (10-a) of the New York State Military Law, may deduct up to six years from their age to meet the maximum age requirement).

Q. I AM OVER 35 YEARS OLD AND HAVE TIME WITH ANOTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY WILL GET AGE CREDIT FOR THAT?
A. NO
Only active military time is credited to your age.

Q. WHAT IS THE STARTING SALARY?
A. For the year 2007, OVER $58,000.00

Top salary after 5 years is $94,958.00 (this figure does not include night differential, holiday pay or overtime).

Q. WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS TO BECOME A POLICE OFFICER?
A. For taking the exam applicants must be between the ages of 19 & 34. Applicants that turn 35 on the date of the written exam will be permitted to take the exam. At time of appointment applicant must be a citizen of the United States, have a High School diploma or G.E.D. equivalency diploma, and possess a New York State driver’s license.

Q. ARE THERE ANY STUDY GUIDES OUT THERE?
A. Civil Service will send a study guide to all approved applicants approximately four (4) weeks prior to announced test date. This study guide is designed to familiarize candidates with the type of questions used on the police entrance examination. This is the only study material recommended by Suffolk County Civil Service.

Q. WHAT HAPPENS AFTER TAKING THE EXAM?
A. It takes approximately 6 months for the Department of Civil Service to grade the exams and establish a certified list.

Q. WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT AFTER THE LIST IS ESTABLISHED?
A. We hire from the certified list starting with the top grade and work our way down the list. The candidate's test score and the hiring needs of the Department determines when candidates are contacted, by certified mail from our Applicant Investigation Section, to report for an orientation for informational purposes and to begin the candidate’s processing for becoming a Suffolk County Police Officer. (We do not skip over grades or names as we move down the list)
It takes our Applicant Investigation Section approximately 6 months to complete the screening process of candidates.

Q. WHAT IS THE SCREENING PROCESS?
A. All candidates must pass the following requirements

a) physical fitness screening test.
b) comprehensive medical evaluation.
c) psychological evaluation.
d) polygraph.
e) extensive background check.

Upon completion of the screening all candidates that have qualified will be notified as to when to report for appointment.

Q. ARE YOU PAID WHILE IN THE ACADEMY?
A. YES
You receive full salary while in the academy.

Q. WHAT ABOUT HEALTH INSURANCE AND BENEFIT COVERAGE?
A. Coverage is as follows:

HEALTH INSURANCE (Hospitals, Doctors, Prescription drugs):
Effective the first of the month following the month hired
(Example: Hired 6/6/01 – Effective 7/1/01)

BENEFIT FUND (Dental, Optical, Legal, Maternity & Prescription Drug Co-Pay reimbursement):
Effective the first of the month following the 4th month of training.
Example: Hired 6/4/01 – Effective 11/1/01

Q. HOW LONG IS THE ACADEMY?
A. Six (6) months

Q. IS THE ACADEMY A SLEEP IN ACADEMY?
A. NO. It is Monday – Friday

Q. WHERE IS THE ACADEMY?
A. Location is the Suffolk Community College at the Brentwood Campus (Western Campus) exit 53 off the Long Island Expressway.

Q. HOW LONG IS PROBATION?
A. Probation period from the date of appointment is 18 months. This includes the 6 months of Academy Class

Q. IS THE TEST SIMILAR TO THE NEW YORK CITY POLICE EXAM?
A. They are similar except we have an autobiographical section on our exam which are very general questions about yourself. Just answer this portion of the exam as honestly as you can with the answers that are provided. The entire test is multiple choice.

Q. WHAT SHOULD I DO I HAVE NOT RECEIVED MY APPLICATION YET?
A. Applications will be mailed out bulk mail about 3 months prior to the date of the exam. If you do not receive your application before the announced deadline date call us at 1-800-SCP-EXAM (1-800-727-3926).

Q. DO YOU GET EXTRA POINTS ON THE EXAM FOR RESIDENCY?
A. NO.

Q. ARE THERE EXTRA POINTS FOR PRIOR TIME IN OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES?
A. NO.

Q. WHAT ABOUT EXTRA POINTS FOR VETERANS?
A. YES.
To receive veterans credit one must have served full-time Active Duty.
NON-DISABLED VETERANS: 5 points for Open-Competitive Exams
DISABLED VETERANS 10 points for Open-Competitive Exams

These additional credits, which are combined with the final score obtained in the examination, may be granted only to PASSING CANDIDATES at the time of establishment of the eligible list.
Contact Civil Service more information and qualifications at 631-853-5500.

Q. IF I HAVE A DISABILITY CAN I BE A POLICE OFFICER?
A. As long as the disability would not hinder the applicant’s ability to meet requirements to perform the duties of a police officer. Each case is investigated independently.

Q. DO YOU DO LATERAL TRANSFERS?
A. NO.
Everyone must take the Civil Service Entrance Exam and get called in off the certified list by grade order and pass the following five qualifying testing areas:
The physical fitness screening test; the comprehensive medical evaluation; the psychological evaluation; the polygraph; and an extensive background check.

Q. DOES MY TIME IN ANOTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY COME OVER WITH ME?
A. Not your accumulated time with that agency; however if you are in the New York State Police and Fire Retirement System; twenty (20) year plan your time in the retirement system will come over with you.

Q. IF I AM IN THE MILITARY AM I PERMITTED TO MAKE UP THE EXAM?
A. YES. Military personnel are permitted to make up exams. Check with the Department of Civil Service at 631-853-4684 for more information. Or email Keith Murphy at kmurphy@suffolkcountyny.gov