STATE POLICE POSTS ARE OPEN FOR FILING

Start at $50G; Rise to $77G After 5 Years; Most Openings Are Upstate; Need 60 College Credits

Filing is now open for an exam leading to State Trooper jobs. The starting salary is $50,374, which rises to $61,525 upon graduation from the Academy.

The pay increases to $65,358 after one year of service, and the maximum salary is $77,218 after five years on the job. The test will be held Jan. 19 and 26, and Feb. 2 and 9. The deadline to apply is Dec. 1 at midnight.

Hiring During '08

Most of the positions are available upstate. 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.

Applicants for the exam must not have reached their 30th birthday prior to the filing deadline and must be at least 20 years old to take the exam. The minimum age to be appointed is 21.

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.

The NYS Police has adopted an official tattoo and bodypiercing policy "in order to preserve a professional appearance and promote confidence in us from the public which we serve."

Under the new regulations, tattoos, brands, body piercings and other body art must not be visible while in uniform. Candidates will be screened during processing, where personnel officials will determine whether an applicant is in violation of the policy. Individuals will have the opportunity to have the tattoo or visible portion removed at their own expense. Their applications will be placed on hold until the process is finished.

What Test Covers

The multiple-choice exam will consist of true/false questions and rating scales designed to test cognitive abilities. The exam will gauge candidates' skills in problem-solving, reading comprehension, mathematics, and writing. The test will also assess candidates' attitudes and personalities.

In many areas of the state, Troopers are the primary law-enforcement officers and respond to all types of calls, including burglaries, missing children, assaults, and homicides.

There are several different specialties within the Trooper title. They include: patrol officer, crime scene evidence technician, field training officer, K-9 handler, and firearms instructor. Troopers may be assigned to motorcycle detail, the scuba team, accident reconstruction, narcotics, and special investigation units.