Fighting crime is no easy task, but if you have made up your mind about becoming a police officer, then you would need more than an aspiration to reach your goal. This article aims to help you out by giving you some useful and practical tips on how to become a Suffolk county police officer.
Who are qualified to become a police officer?
Perhaps the better question would be: Where should you start looking for tips on how to become a Suffolk County sheriff’s deputy? The answer is as simple as visiting their website at http://www.suffolkcountyny.gov. On the website you would find brochures (in pdf format) which contain the necessary information you would need to find out how to prepare for the test and also to determine if you are qualified for the said position.
The Suffolk County Government ranks among the biggest provider of jobs in Long Island (around 10,000 employees in over 25 departments). According to the website, a general police officer should have already graduated from high school with a diploma to prove such qualification. He also needs to have in his possession a valid license for the state of New York, and preferably bilingual in Spanish for some specific positions.
In addition, a medical test as well as a psychological assessment will be given. Salary grade would usually start at level 15 with plenty of room for upward career movement.
Suffolk County Police Exam
The next logical question to ask is, what’s the Suffolk county police test like? Is it true that only a few would be recruited among thousands of applicants? Truth is, the exam is difficult, but before you get stressed out over those details, you have to find out first if there would even be an exam this year. Check out this page to get the info you need. Exams are usually scheduled in June, but this may change without prior notice.
What to Expect?
In terms of salaries and benefits, the rate for general police officers may reach $42,000 per annum under the 2012 Labor Agreement. Monetary compensation would include hazard pay for late night shifts, yearly uniform and equipment allowance as well as dental and medical benefits for the employee’s family.
Suffolk County Civil Service Exam
Suffolk county civil service exams are not mere qualification fillers, and you must keep in mind that as a potential police officer, you would have to be knowledgeable regarding a lot of laws and civil guidelines, and this is why you need to take the test.
A certification does not only boost your knowledge in those aspects, but also serve as a reviewer and preparatory move for you as you wait for the next recruitment period.
Suffolk County civil exams are also used as basis for qualification for other related posts in the government, which is why passing the test would give you an edge. The same government agency in charge of police force recruitment is also tasked for overseeing this exam, and more information could be found here.
Should You Seek the Help of Online Review Programs?
Given how many thousands of aspirants would like to get in the police force, it would seem as though getting through would be as rigorous as auditioning for a big TV production or a very high paying job. The police force, however, is not a TV show, and the risks involved in this kind of job is real, which is why they only get the cream of the crop from every batch.
This is also why online review programs exist, to capitalize on that particular market and help people pass the test. To access the information they have, these sites would require membership. Websites such as http://passthepoliceexam.com/, for instance, would extend services which include online exam reviews, simulated timed quizzes, as well as tips and tricks on how to pass the test.
Should You Get a Degree in Criminology?
Police departments do not really require a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Criminology or any relevant field as far as getting into the police force is concerned, which makes sense because this job requires more hands-on work. This in turn highlights a person’s tolerance for rigorous physical activities.
In any case, being equipped with specialized knowledge such as theories and jargon in this profession could help you ace the Suffolk county police test. If ever you plan to enroll in a Criminology program then remember that you have many options now as compared to before. This is especially true with the emergence of distance learning programs which you could complete anytime anywhere as long as you have Internet connection and a computer.
Of the undergraduate programs in Criminology available in Suffolk, the one offered by Suffolk County Community College would be your best bet. Their website at http://www.sunysuffolk.edu/curricula/CRJU-AS.asp offers a complete description regarding the program details related to the Associate degree in Criminal Justice.
The said website also has a rundown of the subjects that have to be taken as well as admission prerequisites that have to be fulfilled in order to be accepted.
The opportunity to become a respectable officer in Suffolk County would heavily rely on your preparedness for the Suffolk County police exam, which will help you land a job in the police department. You need to prepare fully for the exam. Recruitments aren’t held every year so make sure that when it does come up, you will be able to pass the test. The best way to do that is to seek the help of online police exam review programs which would help you become more familiar with the kinds of questions that will be asked, the format of the exam, and so on.