Updated 8/3/10

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

Q.  WHAT IS THE DATE OF THE EXAM?
A.   June 11, 2011

Q.  WHAT IS THE LAST DATE FOR FILING?
A.  March 31, 2011

Q. IS THERE A FEE TO TAKE THE EXAM?
A. YES, there is a $100.00 application fee.

The application processing fee may be waived for Suffolk County residents who are veterans, auxiliary police, volunteer firefighters, volunteer EMTs and volunteer CERT members.  The fee may also be waived if you are unemployed and for recipients of Medicaid, SSI, Public Assistance or those in a training program under the Job Training Partnership Act/Workforce Investment Act administered by a state or local social service agency. 

Q.  WHAT IS THE STARTING SALARY?
A.  Starting salary is $42,000.00* annually
After five (5) years of service, base salary is $108,608.00*
*As per the 2010 labor agreement

Q.  WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS TO BECOME A POLICE OFFICER?
A.  To take the exam:  you must be between the ages of 19 & 34. 
At time of appointment:  you 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.  IS THERE AN AGE RESTRICTION?
A.  YES  
On the date of the exam (June 11, 2011) you must be between the ages of 19 and 34 years old to take the exam.  Applicants that turn 35 on or before the date of the written exam will not be age eligible 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.  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:
A physical fitness screening test; a comprehensive medical evaluation; a personality assessment evaluation; a 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.  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.

      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.  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.  ARE THERE ANY STUDY GUIDES OUT THERE?
A.  YES
A Study Guide will be posted on the Civil Service Department web page www.suffolkcountyny.gov/civilservice beginning on or about April 19, 2011, and will remain available until the close of business on June 10, 2011.

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) a physical fitness screening test
      b) a comprehensive medical evaluation
      c) a personality assessment
      d) a polygraph
      e)  an 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 the starting salary ($42,000.00) while in the academy.

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

Q. IS THE ACADEMY A SLEEP IN ACADEMY?
A.NO
The Academy 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.  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. IS THE TEST SIMILAR TO THE NEW YORK CITY POLICE EXAM?
A. Our written exam uses multiple choice format and will assess the candidates’ cognitive abilities, work styles and background information.