NYPD Police Officer Entrance Exam

Comprehensive Study Guide

Complete coverage of all 6 NYPD entrance exam content areas with expanded clinical depth. Use the sidebar to navigate sections. Each topic covers key concepts, legal standards, definitions, and exam strategies.

6 DOMAINS 50+ TOPICS EXAM-FOCUSED

Domain 1: Written Comprehension & Memory

~25% of Exam · ~25 Questions

Reading Comprehension Strategy

Main idea: The central point the passage is making. Ask: "What is this entire passage mostly about?"
Supporting details: Facts, examples, and explanations that back up the main idea. Frequently tested with "According to the passage..."
Inference: A conclusion that is not stated directly but is logically supported by the text. Must be grounded in what is written — not what you assume.
Fact vs. opinion: Facts are verifiable. Opinions express beliefs, judgments, or evaluations. Exam questions test whether you can distinguish them.
Tone and purpose: Is the passage informative, persuasive, descriptive, or procedural?
Strategy: Read the questions first, then scan the passage for specific answers. Don't rely on memory of what you've read before.

Memory for Facts and Details

What is tested: You study a photo, map, or passage for a set amount of time. The material is then removed, and you answer questions from memory.
Photo memory: Scan systematically — left to right, background to foreground. Key elements: clothing (color, style), physical description, visible text (signs, plates), and spatial positioning.
Passage memory: Focus on the 5 W's and H: Who, What, When, Where, Why, How. These generate the most test questions.
Chunking technique: Group related details into a mental unit. Vehicle = year + color + model + plate. Person = height + build + clothing + hair + distinguishing features.
Verbalization: Silently repeating key facts while reading helps encode them into short-term memory.

Observation & Spatial Orientation

Map reading: Standard orientation: North = top, South = bottom, East = right, West = left. One-way streets restrict travel to one direction — understand legal routes.
Direction tracking: When a vehicle turns left from a northbound street, it is now heading west. Practice tracking direction through multiple turns.
Manhattan grid: Avenues run north-south (numbered 1–12, west to east). Streets run east-west (numbered 1–220+). Traffic alternates direction on adjacent streets.
Boroughs layout: Manhattan is an island. Brooklyn and Queens are on Long Island. The Bronx is the only borough on the mainland. Staten Island is connected by the SI Ferry and Goethals Bridge.

Logical Reasoning from Passages

Cause and effect: Identify what caused an outcome and what resulted from it. Signal words: because, therefore, as a result, consequently, due to.
Chronological sequence: Events presented in order of occurrence. Signal words: first, then, next, subsequently, afterward, finally, prior to.
Comparison and contrast: How two things are similar or different. Signal words: however, although, similarly, in contrast, on the other hand.
Deductive reasoning: Applying a stated general rule to a specific situation. Used heavily in procedure and law application questions.
Avoid outside knowledge: Base all answers only on what is stated in the passage or shown in the image — not on prior knowledge or assumptions.

Visualization & Scene Reconstruction

360-degree scanning: Practice mentally placing items in a visual field: foreground, background, left side, right side, above, below.
Color accuracy: Distinguish shades carefully. Dark blue vs. navy vs. black — exam questions exploit these distinctions.
Approximate counting: Estimate quantities (3 people, 2 vehicles, 1 backpack) without guessing vaguely.
Distractor awareness: Memory question answer choices often include near-matches (e.g., "88 Fulton Street" vs. "88 Fulton Avenue" vs. "880 Fulton Street"). Precision matters.

Domain 2: Written Expression & Grammar

~10% of Exam · ~10 Questions

Grammar Rules for Police Reports

Subject-verb agreement: Singular subject = singular verb. "Each officer was assigned..." not "were." Collective nouns (team, unit) take singular verbs.
Pronoun agreement: Pronouns must match antecedents in number and gender. "The officer reported her findings" — not "their" if singular officer is established.
Tense consistency: Stay in the same tense throughout a narrative unless the timeline genuinely shifts. Do not alternate between past and present.
Dangling modifiers: The opening phrase must describe the grammatical subject. "Running from the scene, the officer observed the suspect" (incorrect — the officer was not running from the scene).
Comma splices: Cannot join two independent clauses with just a comma. Fix with a period, semicolon, or coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS).
Double negatives: "I didn't see nobody" is incorrect. Use "I didn't see anybody" or "I saw nobody."

Police Report Writing Standards

Active voice, first person: "I observed the vehicle" — not "The vehicle was observed by this officer." Active voice assigns clear responsibility and is required.
Chronological order: Events documented in the exact sequence they occurred. Do not jump ahead or back-fill without clear time markers.
Objectivity: Document only observable facts. "The subject stated he did not own the firearm" — not "the subject lied about the firearm."
Specificity over vagueness: "The vehicle was traveling at approximately 55 mph in a 30 mph zone" — not "the vehicle was going fast." Vague language is not acceptable in court-ready documentation.
No jargon or slang: Reports must be understood by prosecutors, judges, defense attorneys, and juries who may have no law enforcement background.
Complete sentences: Every statement must be grammatically complete. No fragments or run-ons.

Key Police & Legal Vocabulary

Alleged: Claimed but not yet proven in court.
Perpetrator: The person who committed the crime.
Complainant: The person who filed the complaint.
Arraignment: First court appearance; charges formally read.
Affidavit: A written statement made under oath.
Probable cause: Sufficient facts to justify arrest or search.
Reasonable suspicion: Articulable facts suggesting criminal activity — lower standard than probable cause.
Contraband: Items illegal to possess.
Deposition: Sworn testimony taken outside of court.
Subpoena: Legal order requiring appearance or document production.
Surveillance: Observation of a person or place (commonly misspelled).

Commonly Tested Spelling Words

Surveillance · Occurrence · Defendant · Judgment · Separate
Receive · Believe · Necessary · Apparent · Suspicious
Acknowledgment · Incident · Pursuant · Discretion · Prejudice
Weapon · Perpetrator · Confession · Evidence · Jurisdiction
Strategy: When a word looks right but feels off, check the double letters (occurrence), silent letters, and ie/ei distinctions (receive = i before e except after c).

Domain 3: Mathematics & Arithmetic Reasoning

~15% of Exam · ~15 Questions

Arithmetic Foundations

PEMDAS: Parentheses → Exponents → Multiplication/Division (L to R) → Addition/Subtraction (L to R).
Fractions: Add/subtract with common denominators. Multiply numerator × numerator, denominator × denominator. Divide by flipping the second fraction and multiplying.
Percentage: Part = Whole × (Percent/100). To find percent: (Part/Whole) × 100. Percent change = ((New-Old)/Old) × 100.
Ratios and proportions: Set up as equal fractions. Cross-multiply to solve for the unknown. "3 officers patrol 6 blocks. How many patrol 14?" → 3/6 = x/14 → x = 7.
Averages (mean): Sum all values ÷ count of values. Median = middle value when sorted. Mode = most frequent value.

Police-Applied Math

Distance = Rate × Time: Core formula for vehicle pursuit, patrol coverage, and response time calculations.
Overtime pay: Regular pay × 1.5 for hours worked beyond the standard shift. Always compute base pay first, then add overtime separately.
Budget distribution: Convert percentages to dollar amounts. Always verify that all percentages sum to 100%.
Crime statistics: Percent increase = ((new - old) / old) × 100. Percent decrease is the same formula when new is less than old.
Proportional staffing: If 5 officers cover 10 precincts, how many for 14? Set up as 5/10 = x/14. Cross multiply: x = 7.
Unit conversion: Always convert units before computing. If speed is in mph and time in minutes, convert minutes to hours first.

Table and Chart Reading

Read labels first: Before solving, identify what each axis or column represents, including units (incidents, officers, dollars, hours).
Comparison questions: Identify which row/column represents each category being compared and compute the difference or ratio.
Multi-step problems: Identify each calculation step before computing. Do not try to solve in one step if the problem has multiple parts.
Estimation: When exact computation is not possible under time pressure, eliminate extreme answer choices using approximation.

Domain 4: Judgment & Problem Solving

~20% of Exam · ~20 Questions

Use of Force Framework

Proportionality: Force must be proportional to the threat encountered and no greater than necessary to control the situation.
Escalation: Force escalates only as the threat escalates. De-escalation is always preferred. Verbal commands come before physical force.
Continuum (general): Officer presence → Verbal commands → Soft hands (guiding, holding) → Hard hands (takedowns, joint locks) → Intermediate weapons → Deadly force.
Deadly force standard: Authorized only when there is an imminent threat of death or serious physical injury to the officer or another person.
Priority of life: Officer safety → Innocent bystander safety → Suspect safety → Property.

Applying Rules to Scenarios

Read the rule precisely: Apply the rule exactly as written. Do not add conditions not in the text or rely on what you think the rule should say.
Match scenario to rule elements: Break the rule into parts and check each part against the facts of the scenario.
Best option rule: Often no answer is perfect. Select the response most consistent with the stated procedure or generally accepted police practice.
Supervisor escalation: When in doubt about authority, legality, or policy — escalate to a supervisor. This is the default correct answer for unclear authority situations.
Rule exceptions: Rules often have specific exceptions. Read carefully for "unless," "except," "provided that" language.

Ethics & Professional Conduct

NYPD Core Values: Integrity, Courage, Dedication to Service, Excellence.
Zero-tolerance gratuities: Accepting anything of value — meals, discounts, gifts — from members of the public is prohibited. No exceptions for small value.
Truthfulness: Officers must never file false reports, provide false testimony, or make misleading statements in any official context. This is a terminable and criminal offense.
Duty to intervene: If you witness a fellow officer using excessive force or engaging in misconduct, you are legally and ethically obligated to intervene and report.
Off-duty conduct: Officers represent the NYPD at all times. Criminal conduct, public intoxication, or other misconduct while off-duty is subject to disciplinary action.
Confidentiality: NYPD records, systems, and investigation information are protected. Unauthorized disclosure to civilians, media, or non-authorized personnel is a serious violation.

Crisis Intervention & Situational Awareness

Mental health crisis: Approach calmly, reduce environmental stimuli, speak slowly and clearly, avoid sudden movements, listen actively. Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) is mandatory for NYPD officers.
Pre-attack indicators: Nervous behavior, repeated environmental scanning, avoiding eye contact, bladed body stance, hands hidden, unusual bulging of clothing.
Tactical positioning: Stand at an angle (not directly facing), maintain distance, do not block own exit, keep hands visible to the subject, ensure you have cover available.
Radio protocol: Location first → Nature of incident → Details. Keep transmissions concise and factual. Do not transmit when another unit is broadcasting.
Crime scene preservation: Secure the perimeter, document the original state before disturbing anything, restrict access, notify supervisor and detective immediately.

Community Policing Principles

Definition: A philosophy that promotes partnerships between police and community to identify and solve problems collaboratively, reducing crime and improving quality of life.
Core activities: Attending neighborhood meetings, building relationships with business owners, schools, and community organizations, problem-solving recurring issues.
Impartiality: Equal treatment regardless of race, gender, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, disability, or socioeconomic status. Bias-based policing is prohibited.
Transparency: Communicating openly with the public about police activity, policies, and decisions builds trust and legitimacy.
Problem-oriented policing: Address the root causes of recurring problems — not just the incidents themselves — to produce lasting change.

Domain 5: Law & Legal Knowledge

~20% of Exam · ~20 Questions

Constitutional Amendments — Police Application

1st Amendment: Freedom of speech, assembly, religion, press, petition. Officers may not arrest solely based on constitutionally protected speech. Counter-protesters at legal demonstrations are protected.
4th Amendment: Unreasonable searches and seizures prohibited. Warrant required unless an exception applies. Exceptions: consent, plain view, exigent circumstances, search incident to arrest, automobile exception, Terry frisk, inventory search.
5th Amendment: Right against self-incrimination (basis of Miranda). Double jeopardy protection — cannot be tried twice for the same offense after acquittal. Due process requirement.
6th Amendment: Speedy trial, public trial, impartial jury, notice of charges, right to confront witnesses, right to counsel.
8th Amendment: No cruel and unusual punishment. Applies to conditions of confinement and excessive force after arrest.
14th Amendment: Equal protection — laws must apply equally. Due process — government cannot deprive person of life, liberty, or property without proper process. Foundation of civil rights enforcement.

Search & Seizure — Deep Dive

Probable cause: Specific, articulable facts leading a reasonable officer to believe a crime has been committed. Required for arrest and most searches. Cannot be based on hunch, race, or neighborhood alone.
Reasonable suspicion: Lower standard. Articulable facts suggesting criminal activity or that a person is armed and dangerous. Allows Terry stop and pat-down only — not full arrest or search.
Terry v. Ohio (1968): Officers may briefly detain and pat down for weapons based on reasonable suspicion. The frisk is limited to the outer clothing for weapons only — not a full search for evidence.
Plain view doctrine: Three requirements: (1) Officer lawfully present, (2) Item in plain view, (3) Incriminating nature immediately apparent without further investigation.
Exigent circumstances: Hot pursuit of a fleeing felon, imminent destruction of evidence, threat to life. Allow warrantless entry. Must be documented and later reviewed by a court.
Automobile exception (Carroll Doctrine): Vehicle may be searched without a warrant if there is probable cause to believe it contains contraband or evidence of a crime. Applies to the whole vehicle including containers.
Search incident to arrest: Officer may search the person arrested and the area within their immediate control (wingspan) for weapons and evidence. Contemporaneous with the arrest.
Consent search: Voluntary and knowing consent eliminates need for warrant or probable cause. Consent can be withdrawn at any time. Police do not need to tell subjects they have the right to refuse.

Miranda Warnings — Full Analysis

When required: Before custodial interrogation. BOTH conditions must be met: (1) custody = not free to leave AND (2) interrogation = direct questioning or its functional equivalent.
When NOT required: Routine traffic stops (not custodial), booking questions (name, date of birth), public safety exception (Quarles v. New York), spontaneous statements.
The warning: Right to remain silent. Anything said can be used against you. Right to attorney before and during questioning. If cannot afford attorney, one will be appointed.
Waiver: Must be knowing, voluntary, and intelligent. A defendant can waive Miranda rights and answer questions. Waiver can be express or implied by conduct.
Invocation: If a suspect unambiguously invokes their right to silence or to an attorney, all questioning must stop immediately.

New York Penal Law — Complete Reference

Assault (PL 120.00-120.25): 3rd degree: intentionally/recklessly causing physical injury (B misdemeanor). 2nd degree: intent + serious injury or weapon (D felony). 1st degree: serious injury with deadly weapon (C felony).
Robbery (PL 160.05-160.15): 3rd: steals using force/threat (D felony). 2nd: aided by another OR displays weapon (C felony). 1st: armed with deadly weapon, causes serious injury (B felony).
Burglary (PL 140.20-140.30): 3rd: unlawful entry + intent to commit crime (D felony). 2nd: in dwelling (C felony). 1st: dwelling + armed or causes injury (B felony). No theft required — only unlawful entry + criminal intent.
Larceny (PL 155): Petit Larceny (under $1,000): A misdemeanor. Grand Larceny 4th ($1,001-$3,000): E felony. Grand Larceny 3rd ($3,001-$50,000): D felony. Grand Larceny 2nd ($50,001-$1M): C felony. Grand Larceny 1st ($1M+): B felony.
CPW (PL 265): 4th degree: possessing an illegal firearm or knife (A misdemeanor). 3rd: loaded firearm outside home/business (D felony). 2nd: loaded firearm with prior conviction (C felony). 1st: machine gun or 10+ firearms (B felony).
Disorderly Conduct (PL 240.20): Violation (not a crime). Intent to cause public alarm/annoyance/inconvenience through fighting, noise, abusive language, obstruction, or congregating.
Trespass (PL 140.05-140.17): 3rd degree (violation): knowingly entering without license/privilege. 2nd degree (A misdemeanor): unlawful entry on fenced premises. 1st degree (D felony): unlawful entry in dwelling.

Criminal Procedure Timeline

Crime occurs → Officer responds and secures scene.
Arrest: Based on probable cause. Officer must inform subject of reason for arrest. Miranda required if custodial interrogation will follow.
Booking: Fingerprints, photograph, property voucher, medical screening. Booking questions not protected by Miranda.
Arraignment: First court appearance (within 24 hours for felonies in NY). Charges read. Bail determined. Defendant enters plea (guilty, not guilty, no contest).
Grand jury (felonies): Hears evidence to determine if there is sufficient cause to indict. Defendant has no right to be present. Grand jury can subpoena witnesses.
Indictment or dismissal: If grand jury finds probable cause → indictment (formal charge). Case proceeds to trial or plea bargain.
Trial: Prosecution bears burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt. Defendant is presumed innocent.
Statute of limitations: Time limit for filing charges. Murder has no limit in NY. Most felonies: 5 years. Misdemeanors: 2 years.

Domain 6: NYC Knowledge & NYPD Procedures

~10% of Exam · ~10 Questions

NYC Geography — Must Know

Five Boroughs: Manhattan (New York County), Brooklyn (Kings County), Queens (Queens County), The Bronx (Bronx County), Staten Island (Richmond County).
NYC Population: ~8.3 million residents, making it the most populous U.S. city. Over 800 languages spoken.
Bridges and tunnels: Manhattan connects to other boroughs via bridges (George Washington, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Williamsburg, Queensboro, Bronx-Whitestone, Throgs Neck) and tunnels (Holland, Lincoln, Queens-Midtown, Brooklyn-Battery).
NYPD Precincts: 77 precincts citywide. Precinct numbers do not run consecutively — some numbers are retired. Know your borough's key precincts.
NYC Government: Mayor (chief executive) → City Council (legislative, 51 members) → Borough Presidents (5, advisory/administrative) → City agencies.

NYPD Command Structure — Full Ranks

Police Officer (probationary → regular)
Detective (Specialist → 3rd Grade → 2nd Grade → 1st Grade)
Sergeant → Lieutenant → Captain
Deputy Inspector → Inspector
Deputy Chief → Assistant Chief → Bureau Chief
Chief of Department (highest uniformed rank)
First Deputy Commissioner → Police Commissioner (civilian, appointed by Mayor)
Internal Affairs Bureau (IAB): Investigates corruption and misconduct by NYPD members.
Specialized bureaus: Detective Bureau, Transit Bureau, Housing Bureau, Counterterrorism, ESU, Narcotics, School Safety.

Essential Patrol Guide Procedures

Aided case: Any non-crime situation requiring medical or police assistance. Requires Aided Report (PD 304-152b). Never leave an aided case unresolved.
Domestic Incident Report (DIR): Mandatory for every domestic dispute — even if no crime occurred, no arrest was made, and both parties appear cooperative.
Missing persons: No waiting period. Report filed immediately. Endangered adults and children entered into NCIC and state registry at once. Assigned a case number and follow-up detective.
Use of Force Report: Required for any force beyond standard handcuffing. Officer notifies supervisor immediately. Supervisor must respond to scene if possible and review the report.
Vouchering property: All property taken into police custody requires a property clerk invoice (voucher). Three categories: evidence, found property, arrest property. Each voucher is tracked in the NYPD property system.
Emotionally Disturbed Person (EDP): Officer must assess whether the person presents danger to self or others. Safe Options Support (SOS) teams and B-HEARD can be requested. Hospital Removal requires a doctor's or officer's mental health assessment.

Community & Civil Rights Knowledge

Bias-based policing prohibition: Officers cannot stop, question, search, or take enforcement action based on race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability. Must be based on individualized articulable facts.
Stop, Question & Frisk documentation: Every SQF encounter must be documented on an SQF report. NYPD is under ongoing federal monitoring of SQF practices.
Language access: NYPD provides Language Line interpreter services for over 200 languages. Officers must offer interpreter services when communicating with limited English proficient persons in significant interactions.
Hate crimes: Crimes committed because of bias based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, national origin, or ancestry. Require immediate notification to the Hate Crime Task Force and enhanced documentation.
Body-worn cameras (BWC): Officers must activate BWC before or during any police action. Failure to activate without reasonable justification is a policy violation subject to discipline.

⚡ Exam Day Strategies

General Test-Taking Skills · High-Yield Tips

Time Management

210 minutes for 100 questions = 2.1 minutes per question. Pace yourself accordingly.
First pass: Answer every question you know confidently. Mark uncertain ones and move on.
Second pass: Return to marked questions. Eliminate obvious wrong answers and use reasoning to select the best remaining option.
Never leave blanks: There is no penalty for guessing. An unanswered question counts the same as a wrong answer — always guess.
Time check: At the 70-minute mark you should have completed approximately 33 questions. At 140 minutes, 67. Adjust pace if needed.

Elimination Strategy

Remove extreme options: Answers that are obviously wrong or extreme (arrest someone for nothing, ignore a crime entirely) are usually distractors.
Supervisor escalation: When unsure, "notify a supervisor" or "follow chain of command" is frequently the correct answer in judgment/procedure questions.
De-escalation first: Questions about handling tense situations almost always have a de-escalation option that is correct unless force is the only remaining option.
Most complete answer: In reading comprehension, the answer that captures the main idea fully — not partially — is correct.
Avoid "always/never" traps: Absolute language in answer choices is often a red flag. Most police procedures have exceptions.

Memory Section Tips

Scan the photo systematically: Give yourself a mental grid. Top-left to bottom-right. Note clothing, faces, vehicles, and text in that order.
Do not over-commit: Write brief mental notes during the allowed study time. Focus on the details most likely to be tested: numbers, colors, locations.
Passage memory: Read for the 5 W's. When time is called, immediately jot the key facts on your scratch paper before starting the questions.
Trust your first impression: Memory distortions increase over time. Your initial recall is often more accurate than a second guess made after deliberation.

Legal/Procedure Question Approach

Apply the rule as stated: Do not import outside knowledge about "how things really work." Apply only what the question presents.
Check all elements: Legal definitions have specific elements. Check each element against the fact pattern. Missing one element changes the answer.
Best practice default: When no stated rule applies, select the answer that represents generally accepted professional police standards.
Constitutional red flags: Any answer involving warrantless entry without exigent circumstances, questioning after Miranda invocation, or race-based stops is almost certainly wrong.

NYPD Police Officer Admission Requirements

The following represents general NYPD Police Officer candidate requirements based on publicly available information as of the last update. Requirements are subject to change. Always verify current requirements directly with the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) and the NYPD Recruitment Section.

nyc.gov/nypd/careers ↗ nyc.gov/dcas ↗

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Basic Eligibility Requirements

Requirement	Details	Status
Age	Minimum 17.5 years old to apply for the exam. Minimum 21 years old at time of appointment to the police force.	REQUIRED
U.S. Citizenship	Must be a United States citizen at the time of appointment. Permanent residents may sit for the exam but must obtain citizenship before being appointed.	REQUIRED
Education	High school diploma or GED equivalent required. Candidates with 60+ college credits from an accredited institution may receive additional preference points. Associates or Bachelor's degree receives further points.	REQUIRED
NYC Residency	Must establish NYC residency within 30 days of appointment. Officers must maintain NYC residency throughout employment. Certain veterans may have modified residency requirements.	REQUIRED
Driver's License	Valid driver's license from any U.S. state required. A New York State license is required before appointment. No major violations on driving record.	REQUIRED

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Examination & Selection Process

Stage	Description	Notes
Written Exam (DCAS)	100-question multiple choice civil service exam administered by DCAS. Tests written comprehension, memory, judgment, law knowledge, mathematics, and NYC knowledge.	70% PASSING
Computerized Exam (NYPD)	Additional NYPD-administered computerized assessment following initial written exam. Tests job-related cognitive abilities and situational judgment.	SEPARATE STAGE
Physical Fitness Test (PAT)	Police Officer Physical Assessment Test (PAT) evaluates cardiovascular endurance, strength, and agility. Includes 1.5-mile run, push-ups, sit-ups, and flexibility tests. Standards vary by age and gender.	REQUIRED
Medical Examination	Comprehensive medical evaluation at Police Medical Division. Vision: 20/40 correctable to 20/20. Color vision tested. Hearing evaluated. General physical health screening including cardiac assessment.	REQUIRED
Psychological Evaluation	Multi-component psychological assessment including written tests and a clinical interview with a police psychologist. Evaluates emotional stability, judgment, impulse control, and suitability for law enforcement work.	REQUIRED
Character Investigation (CI)	Thorough background investigation examining criminal history, employment history, financial responsibility, drug use, military record, and character references. May take several months.	REQUIRED
Polygraph Examination	Lie detector test used as part of background investigation. Questions center on truthfulness of information provided in application materials, drug use, and criminal history.	REQUIRED

Process timeline: From initial exam to appointment can take 1–4 years depending on the candidate's civil service list placement, hiring needs, and the speed of background investigation. High exam scores and college credits improve your list position.

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Character & Background Standards

Category	Standard	Impact
Felony Convictions	Any felony conviction is an automatic disqualifier. There are no exceptions or waivers for felony convictions.	DISQUALIFYING
Domestic Violence	Any domestic violence conviction (misdemeanor or felony) is disqualifying under the federal Lautenberg Amendment, as it prohibits firearm possession.	DISQUALIFYING
Misdemeanor Convictions	Reviewed case-by-case. Recent, violent, or repeated misdemeanors significantly impact candidacy. Some misdemeanors are disqualifying depending on nature and circumstances.	CASE BY CASE
Youthful Offender (YO) Adjudications	Must be disclosed even though sealed. NYPD investigators have access to sealed YO records. Failure to disclose is automatic disqualification for dishonesty.	MUST DISCLOSE
Drug Use History	Recent or heavy drug use is disqualifying. Marijuana use within 3 years (guidelines subject to change following NY legalization). Hard drug use within 10 years may disqualify. All prior use must be disclosed honestly.	REVIEWED
Financial History	Serious financial irresponsibility (unpaid judgments, bankruptcies, excessive debt) can indicate vulnerability to corruption. Reviewed during CI. Debt itself may not disqualify but pattern of irresponsibility can.	REVIEWED
Social Media Review	Investigators review public and potentially non-public social media history. Posts containing racist language, violence, illegal activity, or other conduct inconsistent with NYPD values can disqualify.	REVIEWED
Truthfulness During Process	Any material misrepresentation or omission at any stage — application, polygraph, investigation interview — is automatic disqualification. Honesty about disqualifying factors may still allow a hearing; dishonesty will not.	CRITICAL

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Veterans Preference & Additional Points

Preference/Bonus	Details	Points
Veteran's Preference (Non-Disabled)	Honorably discharged veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces who served during a recognized period of war or national emergency.	+5 POINTS
Veteran's Preference (Disabled)	Veterans with a service-connected disability. Must provide VA documentation of disability rating.	+10 POINTS
Associate's Degree	Completion of an Associate's degree from an accredited institution. Must be submitted at time of application.	+2.5 POINTS
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	Completion of a Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctorate from an accredited institution.	+5 POINTS
Language Proficiency	Demonstrated proficiency in a designated language needed by the NYPD. Tested by the Department. Key languages include Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Russian, Arabic, Haitian Creole, Bengali.	VARIES

Civil Service List placement: Your final score (exam score + eligible preference points) determines your position on the civil service eligible list. Higher list numbers are called for appointment earlier. Candidates remain on the list for approximately 4 years.

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Training & Probationary Period

Phase	Description	Duration
Police Academy	Located at 235 East 20th Street, Manhattan. Recruits receive full salary during academy training. Curriculum covers law, tactics, firearms, driving, physical fitness, emergency medicine, and ethics.	~6 MONTHS
Field Training (FTP)	Following academy graduation, officers are assigned to a precinct and paired with a field training officer (FTO) for supervised patrol experience.	~18 MONTHS
Probationary Period	Officers serve a two-year probationary period from date of appointment. During probation, officers can be terminated without a formal hearing for performance or character issues.	2 YEARS
Starting Salary (Approx.)	Academy recruits start at ~$42,500/year. After graduation: ~$55,000. After 5.5 years: ~$120,000+. Negotiated through Patrolmen's Benevolent Association (PBA) contract. Figures are approximate and subject to contract changes.	SEE NYPD.ORG

Important: Salary figures, preference points, and specific requirements above are based on publicly available information and are subject to change with each exam cycle and contract negotiation. Verify all current figures at nyc.gov/nypd and nyc.gov/dcas.

NYPD Police OfficerEntrance Exam

Exam Overview