State Admits Glitch
Cheat Sheet Came With Lieut. Exam

By REUVEN BLAU

For a group of state Correction Sergeants taking the Lieutenants' promotion exam two months ago, the answers really were in the questions.

LARRY FLANAGAN: 'Make sure it's fair.'

According to the state Department of Civil Service, some answer sheets/booklets for the simulation section of the June 13 exam contained faintly-printed answers that were visible if viewed at the right angle.

"These sheets were printed by an outside vendor," said department spokeswoman Erin Barlow in an e-mail.

Cut Test Short

After becoming aware of the problem, the department instructed its proctors that the 1,000 Sergeants taking the exam should only complete the multiple-choice section and stop before the three simulation questions.

"The department is currently working with staff from the Department of Corrections and subject-matter experts to draft questions for the new simulation section, which will be given later this year," Ms. Barlow said.

The simulation questions provide a scenario with 15 to 20 choices for the Sergeants to select what action to take in specific scenarios. The candidates were instructed to highlight their answer and based on that selection proceed through the simulation.

"We just want to make sure that every one of our members is afforded the same opportunity to advance; that it's fair and equitable across the board," said Larry Flanagan, president of the New York State Correctional Officers Police Benevolent Association.

The union represents the state's approximately 1,200 Correction Sergeants as well as slightly more than 20,000 Correctional Officers.

Extending Current List

The current list for Correction Lieutenant, which is scheduled to expire on Sept. 10, will be extended until a new roster is established, the department said. There are presently 452 active eligibles on that list. The Correction Department has promoted approximately 60 candidates from that roster since it was established in September 2003, state officials said.

A letter from the Civil Service Department to NYSCOPBA posted on the union's Web site said that the state planned to hold the new simulation portion of the exam on Jan. 12, 2008.

"The department sincerely regrets the problem that was encountered by your members," the note concluded. "We are working diligently with staff ... to expedite the completion of the examination process for Correction Lieutenant, and establish an eligible list as soon as possible."