Erie County is grappling with an unprecedented drop in applications for the upcoming civil service examination for Police Officers. With only 367 applicants signed up for the Sept. 28, 2024, exam, and the registration deadline looming on Aug. 14, 2024, the county is sounding the alarm. This stark decline follows a troubling trend: 987 applicants in 2022, 1,515 in 2019, and 1,797 in 2016. If this pattern persists, the Erie County Personnel Department anticipates fewer than 800 applicants this year, raising concerns about the ability of local police agencies to maintain forces at current staffing levels.
"The Erie County Department of Personnel administers civil service examinations on behalf of every town and village in Erie County, and taking this examination is the only way for an individual to become a Police Officer in a town or village police department," said Personnel Commissioner Brian Bray. "If the applicant passes the examination and is eligible to be hired per Civil Service Law, the applicants must also pass a physical examination administered by my department, as well as a psychological evaluation and background check administered by the hiring police department. It is a grueling process designed to ensure our towns and villages hire the finest men and women to protect those communities."
To qualify for the Police Officer examination, candidates must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent, and either completion of 60 semester collegiate credit hours (or associate’s degree), or completion of 30 semester collegiate credit hours and one year of active-duty military service. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and have a valid New York State Driver's License. They must be at least 19 years old by Sept. 28, 2024, and not older than 35, with exceptions for military service.
“A career in law enforcement is more than a job. It’s an opportunity to make a significant and positive difference in the community that you serve. Few jobs in this world provide the opportunity to positively impact a person’s life, but a career in law enforcement allows for that possibility every single day” said Central Police Services Commissioner Brian Ross. “The profession demands unwavering dedication, integrity, and a deep commitment to justice. However, the rewards of making a tangible difference in people’s lives and the world that we live in are immense. For those that have soured on the law enforcement profession over the last several years, I challenge and encourage you to join the ranks and be an instrument of change from within. I urge all qualified individuals who are driven by a passion for service to consider applying for the examination."
Given the critical nature of this role and the current decline in applications, the Erie County Personnel Department urges eligible individuals to consider this opportunity. A career in law enforcement offers job stability and benefits that include enrollment in the state pension system, as well as the chance to make a meaningful difference in the community.
To apply for the examination or to learn more information, visit the Erie County Personnel Department's website at https://www3.erie.gov/employment/ or call (716) 858-8484.
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