City of Utica, Exams - POLICE OFFICER

The applicant should make sure EVERY question on the application is answered, and that the application is complete in all respects. All statements made by candidates are subject to verification.

APPLICATIONS RECEIVED OR POSTMARKED AFTER THE LAST FILING DATE WILL BE DENIED.

CITY OF UTICA RESIDENTS: $15.00 NON-REFUNDABLE FILING FEE MUST ACCOMPANY EACH APPLICATION MONEY ORDERS ONLY - NO CASH, NO PERSONAL CHECKS.

NON-RESIDENTS: $30.00 NON-REFUNDABLE FILING FEE MUST ACCOMPANY EACH APPLICATION MONEY ORDERS ONLY - NO CASH, NO PERSONAL CHECKS.

STARTING SALARY/RANGE: $33,181 Public Safety, Bureau of Police

VACANCIES: The eligible list resulting from this examination will be used to fill vacancies as they occur at the City of Utica Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Police.

RESIDENCE REQUIREMENT: None.

NOTE: The Utica City Charter, Section 2.045 requires except as otherwise provided by law, a residency requirement for all prospective officers and employees of the city including members of the police force. Every person initially employed by the City, shall as a qualification of employment, become a resident of the City within six (6) months of the date of initial service for the City. During an employee’s time of service, no such employee shall cease to be a resident of the City.

Definition. Residency means the actual principal domicile of an individual, where the individual normally sleeps and maintains usual personal and household effects.

The above terms must be accepted if a permanent appointment is offered.

NOTE: There is pending legislation that may change this requirement effective

January 1, 2009. You will be notified by mail of there will be a change to the residency requirement.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: By the date of application for the written exam, candidates must be a high school graduate or holder of a high school equivalency diploma issued by an education department of any of the states of the United States or holder of a comparable diploma issued by any commonwealth, territory or possession of the United States or by the Canal Zone or holder of a report from the United States Armed Forces certifying successful completion of the tests of general educational development, high school level.

NOTE: Applicants who do not possess a high school or high school equivalency diploma are NOT eligible to take the examination.

DUTIES: A Police Officer is responsible for the enforcement of laws, ordinances and protection of lives and property in an assigned area during a specified period. These duties consist primarily of routine patrol tasks, assisting in investigation of criminal offenses and the apprehension of criminals. Ordinarily a police officer, whether on patrol work or on special assignment works under the supervision or direction of a higher ranking officer. However, there is considerable independent responsibility for exercise of sound judgment in emergencies. Does related work as required.

SUBJECT OF EXAMINATION: There will be a written test in which you must pass in order to be considered for appointment. Only your score on the written test will be considered when computing your final score. In addition, candidates must meet the physical fitness and medical standards prescribed by the Municipal Police Training Council. Candidates must pass the written test in order to be scheduled for the qualifying physical fitness test. Candidates who pass the qualifying physical fitness test and who are given a conditional offer of employment will be scheduled to take the required medical examination as well as a psychological examination.

Candidates must be successful in the psychological examination, as well as a background investigation and interview in order to be considered for permanent appointment. All candidates will undergo an interview wherein they will be ranked against other applicants based upon factors determined by the administration. Final selections will be at the discretion of the administration without recourse to the candidate.

Candidates may be asked to participate in an additional physical agility test if they are not appointed within one (1) year of the establishment of this list.

Candidates are not allowed a re-test for the agility test, drug test or psychological examinations.

WRITTEN TEST:

1. Applying written information (rules, regulations, policies, procedures, directives, etc.) in police situations

These questions test for the ability to apply written rules in given situations similar to those typically experienced by police officers.

2. Memory for facts and information

These questions test for the ability to remember facts and information presented in written form. You will be given 5 minutes to read and study the information in the Memory Booklet. After the 5 minute period, the Memory Booklet will be taken away. You will then be required to answer questions about the material that was presented in the Memory Booklet.

3. Reading, understanding, and interpreting information

These questions test for the ability to read, understand, and interpret the kinds of written information that police officers are required to read during their formal training period and on the job.

4. Preparing written material in a police setting

These questions test for the ability to prepare the types of reports that police officers write. You will be presented with a page of notes followed by several questions. Each question will consist of four restatements of the information given in the notes. From each set of four, you must choose the version that presents the information most clearly and accurately.

THE USE OF A CALCULATOR IS PROHIBITED FOR THIS EXAM

QUALIFYING PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST

The three elements measured in the qualifying fitness test are muscular endurance, absolute strength and cardiovascular capacity. The following is a brief description of the physical fitness test.

Muscular Endurance - The requirement is for a number of bent-leg sit-ups to be performed in one minute.

Push Up - This test measures muscular endurance of the upper body (anterior deltoid, pectoralis major and triceps). The requirement is for a number of full body repetitions that a candidate must complete without breaks.

Cardiovascular Activity - 1.5 mile run; the requirement is for the attainment of a score calculated in minutes and seconds.