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State Police Recruit Talent on Broadway;
Tout Pay at Javits
Tout Pay at Javits
Aids Recruitment Drive That close friendship was one of the motivators that led Mr. Paterson to take the unusual step of joining State Police officials to help publicize the final weeks of the recruitment effort during a routine press conference at the Jacob J. Javits Convention Center Oct. 23. "We are trying to find some gifted and talented people looking to improve the quality of the state," Mr. Paterson said, noting that he made a similar appearance in Albany in April. Standing outside the convention center afterwards, he recalled discussing details of the State Trooper job with his old roommate, who also worked as a recruiter and retired in 1996. "We'd have those late-night talks about law-enforcement and public duty," he remembered. At the encouragement of his roommate, he began making appearances at recruitment drives and other events, Mr. Paterson said. "I plan on doing two or three of these a year as long as I'm Lieutenant Governor," he added. Get $61G After Training The Lieutenant Governor and State Police officials gathered last week stressed the job's $50,374 starting salary, which rises to $61,525 upon graduation from the Academy. By contrast, the starting pay for NYPD recruits is $25,100, which jumps to $32,700 after six months on the job. While the press conference didn't attract much media attention, early figures from the recruitment drive appear to be promising, in contrast to the efforts of the NYPD, which has been struggling to attract new recruits. Major Michael A. Kopy, who heads the New York City recruitment unit, announced that nearly 16,000 qualified applicants have already signed up for the upcoming exam, at least 3,000 of them being city residents. "We are heavily recruiting from the city because we think there is a good pool of candidates from the colleges here," he remarked as he stood in front of two State Police patrol cars parked under a department banner. Downstate Openings He emphasized that many of the positions actually are available in the downstate area with either Troop F, which patrols Rockland, Orange, and Sullivan counties, or Troop K, which operates in Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess counties. "That's a challenge for us," said Trooper Ray Jackson. "People think they are going to get sent to Buffalo. Because our Academy is so diverse, chances are you won't be so far from home." Trooper Jackson and the other recruiters at the event downplayed the suggestion that they might be poaching candidates who in the past would have applied to the NYPD but are discouraged by the reduced starting pay. "It's not a competition," asserted Trooper Al Vasquez. "There are officers who love being a New York City cop and there are Troopers who love what they do. It's a different type of lifestyle." Without hesitation, he added, "I spoke with Police Officers who said they would never give up their job. They are not doing it for the money." On the Other Hand ... Trooper Jackson, however, said that he had spoken to a lot of NYPD officers who indicated interest in transferring. Asked how many, he responded, "We don't have stats, but plenty do." He noted that the State Police does not accept lateral transfers. "They have to start at the bottom," he observed but emphasized that their pension credit does carry over. "We do have success with some of those coming over." There is also a large gap in maximum pay between the NYPD and State Police. For Troopers, the salary increases to $65,357 after one year of service and the maximum pay is $77,218 after five years on the job. In contrast, NYPD officers reach the $59,588 maximum pay after 5-1/2 years. That salary is likely to increase based on a pending arbitration process, which has dragged on for months. Those hearings are set to start on Nov. 6. Filing Deadline Dec. 1 The exam leading to State Trooper jobs is held only every three or four years, the recruiters noted. The deadline to apply is Dec. 1 at midnight. The test will be held Jan. 19 and 26, and Feb. 2 and 9. Candidates who score near the top of the eligible list can expect to be appointed within 8 to 12 months. Individuals can apply on-line at www.nytrooper.com . Approximately 20,000 persons took the previous test and 17,000 passed. "We reached just a little under 11,000," said Investigator Damaris Abrams-Jones, referring to the resulting hiring roster. "You have a very strong chance of getting called if you take the test and pass the test." Applicants for the exam must not have reached their 30th birthday prior to the application deadline and must be at least 20 years old to take the exam. The minimum age to be appointed is 21. Education Requirements By the end of filing, candidates must have a high school diploma or a GED. To be appointed, candidates need 60 college credits. Military experience or a basic police officer training course certificate can be substituted for up to 30 credits. At the time of appointment, candidates must be New York State residents and have a valid driver's license. Individuals with a criminal record may be disqualified. Candidates must pass a medical exam, including a vision and hearing test. They also must pass a drug-and-alcohol screening, a background investigation, and a psychological evaluation.
In explaining his appearance at the recruitment
announcement, Mr. Paterson, who is the second highest ranking official in the
government of New York, said his title was apropos. "I like the word
Lieutenant," he remarked. "It sounds very law-enforcement. I thought I'd take
advantage." |
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