The Nassau County police hiring process is extremely tough and the requirements mandated on applicants during the process is one of the more stringent in the country. Applicants are to follow specific rules and regulations during the process, and failure to do so will result in immediate disqualification. However, using the right approach and resources will make the process easier.
The Nassau County Police Department is one of the biggest in the United States, and the Nassau County police exam is also one of the toughest, and it takes skill and dedication to pass it. Located in Mineola four miles from Queens, you’ll need to be fully prepared to take this test. There are several guides available, but you need to start by knowing the requirements.
Qualifications
All candidates need to pass a written examination along with other screening processes and procedures, and in addition:
- All candidates have to be residents of Westchester County, Suffolk County, Nassau County or one of the five boroughs in New York City during the appointment period.
- All candidates have to be between 17 to 35 years old during the written exam period. However, those who engaged in active military duty can extend up to six years the maximum age requirement.
- All candidates have to be legal citizens of the United States.
- Candidates will be subjected to a background investigation.
- All aspirants need to have a legitimate New York State driver’s license if they want to take the Nassau County police test.
- The appointment of candidates is determined by the Nassau County Civil Service Commission, but anyone with a felony conviction may be subject to exclusion.
- College education is not a prerequisite but 32 college credits are mandated for appointment. Candidates who are eligible but have not met the educational requirements remain on the list until they fulfill it.
The Selection Process
If you meet the minimum qualifications, you’ll be eligible to take the Civil Service Exam if there is an opening for it. Check on the Civil Service Commission website http://www.nassaucivilservice.com/NCCSWeb/homepage.nsf/WebAnnouncements?OpenView&count=100&3222010121320.
The next step is to take the Civil Service Exam. You will receive the admittance notice a week before the examination with all the pertinent details concerning the exam date. The next step is the Physical Fitness Screening Test, which is explained in the following section.
The Physical Training Test
The Nassau police test Physical Fitness Screening Test is designed to test your endurance, speed, strength and agility. Each candidate will get a weighted score based on their performance during the test. The physical test score is combined with the written score result.
Every candidate needs to have a weighted final score of 4 minimum to be qualified. The results of the physical test are mailed to the candidates six months after taking the exam.
The physical test requires candidates to pass the test which consists of a 1.5 mile run, sit ups and pushups. Failure to complete will result in disqualification. Before you take the examination you must familiarize yourself with each component and the criteria. The importance of getting familiar with the rules cannot be overemphasized; because once you fail the test you cannot repeat it.
Before you can take the test, you will be subjected to a medical screening exam to ensure you are physically fit. You cannot proceed with the test unless you pass the medical examination.
- Pushups for males – 20 to 29 years old, 29 pushups are required; for ages 30 to 39, 24, and for 40 to 49 years old, 18 pushups.
- Pushups for females – 20-29 years, 15; 30 to 39 years, 11; 40 to 49 years, 9 pushups.
- Sit ups for males – 20 to 29 years of age, 38; 30 to 39, 35 and 40 to 49 years of age, 29 sit ups.
- Sit ups for female – 20 to 29 years of age, 32; 30 to 39, 25 and 40 to 49 years of age, 20 sit ups.
The 1.5 mile run should be completed by males in the following time periods: 12:38 for 20 to 29 years old, 30 to 39 years old 12:58 and for 40 to 49 years old, 13:50.
For 20 to 29 year old female applicants, the 1.5 mile run has to be completed in 14:50, and if the applicant is 30 to 39 years old, in 15:43. 40 to 49 year old women must complete the 1.5 mile run in 16:31.
Online Resources and Study Guides
Because the test covers both written and physical tests, you need to be prepared both physically and mentally. One way to prepare for the exam is to use a guide like http://passthepoliceexam.com/. This guide was prepared by a real police officer who knows exactly what it takes to pass the exam and avoid the pitfalls that affect most candidates.
Aside from that you can try the following.
- http://www.policequiz.com/ is a website that provides guides, tools and resources for those interested in taking the Nassau police test. Aside from sample quizzes, the site also has guides for improving memory, facial recognition and more.
- https://www.nassaucountyny.gov/ is the official website of Nassau County and is the primary resource for information about the exam. At the site you can access their mobile app and more.
- You can also check out http://www.police.co.nassau.ny.us/Recruitment.aspx for general information about recruitment policies and the benefits of joining the police force. Aside from providing information about the NCPD recruitment program, you’ll also learn facts about Nassau County that might prove useful during the examination.
Preparing Yourself for the Test
While these guides can be a tremendous help in preparing you for the exam, you also need to prepare yourself physically for the physical examination. If you want to pass the Nassau County Civil Service police exam you need to eat a balanced diet and get in shape.
Also, it won’t hurt if you do some exercise weeks before the training so your body becomes more flexible. However, you need to give yourself some time to rest too so you’ll be fresh during the training. So if you have been working out regularly, allow yourself at least a couple of days’ rest so your muscles will be fit come training day.