Sergeant Tests Missing Mark
Fairness in NYPD Testing?

By JOHN MONAGHAN

Since 9/11, there have been four NYPD Sergeants' exams in as many years.

The results of the first of that battery, given in February of 2002, were less than stellar. The students taking that test were still reeling from the effects of Sept. 11 and the strenuous police work and massive overtime mandated by the World Economic Forum held just a week before the exam. The test itself was widely criticized by the students for not be being as "job-related" as was expected. Instead of taking into account these factors when considering the lower-than-usual grades, it was decided to cut the resulting list by administering another exam less than a year later.

No Greater Success

However, the January 2003 Sergeant's exam produced similar results. Again the test-takers complained of an irrelevant exam and again the department responded by announcing another exam. This time rumors floated from 1 Police Plaza that Commissioner Kelly didn't feel it was proper for anyone to get promoted to Sergeant who did not score at least a 70.

In a March 2005 article in this newspaper, I contended that if the Commissioner wanted to implement an academic standard for promotion lists, that should be made known to the students beyond just rumors. So, when the next exam was announced for January of 2005, it marked the end of open-competitive testing for Sergeant. Instead of the list being established by the grade of the 1,500th scorer, the Notice of Exam stated that the list would consist of those scoring 70 and above.

Never Released Test

Also in that editorial, I apparently touched a raw nerve at the Department of Citywide Administrative Services. I could not ignore statements by the majority of students claiming the test was again irrelevant to the duties of an NYPD Sergeant. In so voicing their complaints, I stated that their claim could not be verified, as DCAS would not release copies of these exams as it routinely did in the past before this controversy. I got a call from DCAS requesting I write a retraction. I responded that I would as soon as they released copies of the controversial exams. I'm still willing and still waiting.

The January 2005 exam was administered and only 600 or so people scored 70 or above. I've had students complain about questions asking the size of the lettering on a police bicycle; inch and a half or inch and a quarter? Could be sour grapes, but the exact nature of these exams needed to be scrutinized. I bristle when I hear police executives ponder whether the student body as of late is just not as capable. I teach them. I'm here to tell you that today's student works as hard as any of us did as we worked our way up the ladder and yes, they're just as bright.

Thousands of NYPD cops are right now preparing for the February 2007 test. There is a bright spot here for all of them and us. Last week over 2,500 NYPD Sergeants sat for their Lieutenant's test. By all accounts, it was as fair a test as could be expected. The general feeling amongst the Sergeants today is: if you didn't get a 70 on that one, don't complain - it wasn't the test. Kudos to Commissioner Kelly and DCAS for improving the process - but I'm still waiting to see these exams released.

Mr. Monaghan, a retired NYPD Captain, was Commanding Officer of the NYPD's Management, Orders and Directing Section. He holds a master's degree in public administration from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.