Offers Higher Salary: Upstate City Makes Case to NYPD Cops

Offers Higher Salary
Upstate City Makes Case to NYPD Cops

By REUVEN BLAU

The Rochester Police Department has a message for New York's Finest: we want you.

ADRIAN N. SMALLS: Pitches quality of life. A recruiter for the Rochester force last week cited the low cost of living in the area and higher salary - about $10,000 more for officers with eight months on the job - as reasons why city Police Officers should transfer.

'59% Cheaper Here'

"There are homes that you can buy in great areas from $70,000 to $200,000," said Adrian N. Smalls, the Rochester Recruitment Coordinator. "Where would you buy an $80,000 property in New York, and what would it look like?"

The cost of living in the district is 59 percent cheaper, he continued. "Even the cost of gas is a bit more expensive in New York," he noted.

The Rochester force is looking to hire roughly 40 Police Officers to help the department maintain its 715-officer staffing level. Since last August, the department has hired 12 NYPD officers, Mr. Smalls said. "They are just thriving here," he remarked.

Filing for city cops and individuals interested in the entry-level position is open until Oct. 25. The written test is scheduled for Dec. 2.

Officers seeking lateral transfers are not required to take the exam, but must pass a rigorous background investigation. "It is up to the discretion of the Chief," Mr. Smalls noted.

All interested candidates are encouraged to take the test, because they will have a better chance of being hired if they are placed on an eligible list, Mr. Smalls said. "If you're serious about moving to Rochester, take the test," he suggested.

NYPD officers above the entry rank will be hired in the Police Officer rank, which pays $49,000 for officers with three years of experience.

The starting salary for entry-level cops is $34,000, which rises to $42,400 after eight months on the job and $60,000 after 4-1/2 years.

In addition, officers with an associate's degree in criminal justice receive an annual 2-percent salary increase, and cops with a bachelor's or master's degree get a yearly 4-percent boost.

Eligibility Standards

To qualify, candidates must have a high school diploma or GED and they need to be at least 19-1/2 by the date of the exam. Applicants must also have a valid driver's license and need to be U.S. citizens.

Appointees must be 20 years old and must not have reached their 35th birthday by the date of the written exam. Individuals with a criminal record will likely be disqualified. There is a $25 filing fee.

Further information can be obtained by calling 585-428-6716, or online at www.RochesterNYPolice.com .

"We are hoping for a lot of New York City candidates," Mr. Smalls said. "The city offers us a lot of diversity."