Many young kids dream of becoming a cop. But becoming one is not a simple task, however. It requires skills, dedication and knowledge to boost one’s chances in getting recruited. Find out what you need in this article.
If you want to know how you can become a Yonkers PD Cop, the first thing you need to do is to find some relevant information regarding the application process and the application period. For residents of Yonkers, remember that the police department would usually announce the recruitment schedule on newspapers such as the Yonkers Tribune which is highly accessible online.
There are also no fixed dates for recruitment, but dates usually fall within the month of September. For those who would be lucky enough to pass the initial screening, the police examination would then follow months later, usually in November.
Yonkers Police Officer Requirements
Knowing the essential dates is one thing; preparing the necessary paperwork and other requirements would be another battle with the bureaucracy, which should not be the case if you process all the requirements way in advance.
Basically, a potential recruit should be between the ages of 18 and 35 and must be residing in one of the following counties for at least three months during the time of the application:
- Rockland
- Bronx
- Nassau
- Westchester
- Putnam
Requisite forms to fill out could be downloaded from the official website of the city of Yonkers or you could get a hard copy from the city hall. The application form, along with the other requirements, could then be mailed or submitted personally to either the Civil Service Office or the Yonkers Community Affairs Division
Yonkers Civil Service Exams
Perhaps one requirement you never thought would be included on the list is the civil service exam. In any case, you do not have to stress yourself out over this prerequisite simply because the Yonkers Police Department would be conducting civil service classes for all applicants, usually provided in the fall.
Even so, it would be a good idea to brush up on the topics to be included just to make sure that you are really up for the challenge. As such, the classes would just serve as a refresher for you, making everything much easier
Yonkers Police Exam
And now, for the most anticipated question asked by every aspiring police recruit out there:
How difficult is the Yonkers PD test?
The thing about this test is that the concept of difficulty is highly relative, and there really is no reason to obsess over this if you just know how to attack the exam with the right set of information and state of mind.
Having said that, consider this fact as a legit challenge: only 30% of all aspiring recruits would pass the exam, and only 5% would have a guaranteed position within the ranks.
As you might have noticed, you have to be among the cream of the crop, which is no easy feat at all. This is exactly why there are many services online which cater to police test reviews.
Online Reviewers and Agencies
Given how the Yonkers police exam, and in fact almost all police exams, share many similarities, websites such as http://passthepoliceexam.com/ have made it their raison d’être to make sure that you would be well on your way to becoming a respectable police officer.
Such websites provide helpful tips on how to pass the exam, which is considered to be the most important part of the Yonkers Police Department hiring process. Fail this test and you could say goodbye to your dreams of becoming a police officer, at least until the next recruitment period.
Membership in these online review sites would typically include features such as timed quizzes and practice exams based on past papers, as well as a briefing on how each exam section would be like. In addition, their staff would also give tips on certain topics many deem to be important such as a good overview of the profession as well as its perks. Some of them would also provide psychological assessment for their members.
The main advantage of these online programs, though, would be their accessibility anytime anywhere, which would give you greater flexibility in terms of preparation.
Getting a Degree
A degree in Criminology would not really be necessary to ace the Yonkers PD test, but of course if you graduated under the said program, you would obviously have an edge over applicants for the mere reason that you are already familiar with many of the theories at work in this profession.
There are various Criminology programs in New York ranging from the affordable CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice to the St John’s University New York’s program, which is considered to be the most expensive in the state. Program requirements would vary depending on the university you choose, while attendance would depend on whether you want a location based program or an online degree, which is also fast becoming a popular option for many nowadays.
Bear in mind that tuition fees might be prohibitive, ranging from $5,000 to $ 30,000 a year for most programs. The price of admission would really depend on the institution offering it. You would also have to take into consideration the kind of program you would want to pursue and whether your bachelor’s degree would suffice if you opt for a master’s degree in Criminology. Most programs nowadays are also offered through flexible distance learning.
Hopefully this article has helped you find the answers you have been seeking. With a good foundation and a review program to help you pass the test, you are well on your way to becoming the respectable police officer you have always aspired to be.