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Personnel Department - Police Officer

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1. WHEN IS THE WHITE PLAINS POLICE OFFICER EXAM?

The next written examination for entry-level Police Officer for the City of White Plains is anticipated to be held in November 2019 (unless otherwise announced). Please look for exam announcements in local newspapers and on this website in the February of 2019.  Applications and filing fee of $50 (no cash) must be postmarked or filed by the last filing date.

2. IS THIS EXAMINATION ONLY FOR POLICE OFFICER POSITIONS IN THE CITY OF WHITE PLAINS?

Yes.  If you are interested in becoming a Police Officer for any other municipality, you must file a separate application following their application procedures when they schedule their exam.  We can only provide you with information about the White Plains exam.

3. CAN I TAKE THE POLICE OFFICER EXAM FOR WHITE PLAINS AND FOR ANOTHER NYS MUNICIPALITY SCHEDULED ON THE SAME DAY?

Yes, for any other NYS municipality other than the City of New York.  Simply follow the filing procedures for both exams, and inform us about the other exam on the Cross Filer Form and attach it to your White Plains application.

4. HOW DO I APPLY?

Completed application and exam fee are only accepted either:
At the 3 locations listed on the announcement and ONLY until 5pm of the last filing date.
OR
If mailed and postmarked by the US Post Office no later than the last filing date (certified mail is recommended especially if on or near the last filing date). Any application received without the exam fee will not be accepted. Any application received or postmarked after the last filing date will not be accepted.
OR
If serving actively in the military as per Sections 243-b (2) and (3) of NY State Military Law, a late application will be accepted with proof of military orders.   Those serving active military duty during the filing period, will under Section 243-c of NYS Military Law be permitted to file an application up to 10 business days prior to the date of the exam.

We do not accept applications by fax or e-mail.

5. HOW CAN I OBTAIN A COPY OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT AND APPLICATION?

Once announced, both the Announcement and Application can be picked up at these White Plains locations:

City Hall, Personnel Dept, 255 Main St, Rm. 301

Monday-Friday between 9am-5pm

Thomas H. Slater Center, 2 Fisher Court

Monday-Friday between 9am-5pm

El Centro Hispano, 346 So. Lexington Ave

Monday-Friday between 12pm-5pm

6. HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO APPLY?

There is a $50 non-refundable application fee which can be paid by:

Check or Money Order payable to the City of White Plains with the candidate’s name either printed or written on it, and the exam #; 

Visa,  Mastercard or American Express. 

NO CASH is accepted.

7. WHAT HAPPENS IF MY CHECK BOUNCES?

You will receive a letter from the Personnel Department allowing you to resubmit the $50 exam fee plus a $20 bounced check fee as a pre-paid money order only.  You will have 10 business days from the date of the letter to resubmit all fees.  You will not be allowed to pay by check for any future exams with the City of White Plains.

8. IF I WANT TO PAY BY CREDIT CARD, CAN I DO IT BY MAIL?

Yes, but the applicant must be the card holder with the same billing address as the address provided on the application or it cannot be processed.  Enter your credit card information at the bottom of the front page of the application.  If another card holder will be paying your fee, the card holder must be present in our office when the application is submitted.

9. WHY SHOULD I BOTHER FILLING OUT ALL THAT INFORMATION ON THE APPLICATION?

The information you provide will be carefully reviewed and will determine if you are eligible for admission to the examination.  A vague or incomplete application may result in your disqualification.  Untrue information could result in your removal from the eligible list even if you pass all parts of the exam.  Please review it carefully after filling it out to be sure everything is filled out accurately and completely, both front and back.   Please print neatly.    Remember to sign the application.

10. IS THERE A RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT?

Yes. You must have been a legal resident of one of the six (6) following Counties: Westchester, Putnam, Nassau, Rockland, Orange or Bronx for at least one (1) month prior to the exam date and to the date of appointment.  This is subject to verification and investigation. Proof of residency may be required.

11. WHAT IF I MOVE AFTER I FILE MY APPLICATION? HOW DO I CHANGE MY ADDRESS?

Candidates must notify this office in writing of a change of address using the Change of Address Form available on our website. 

It is important that you keep us informed of your current address both prior to and after the exam so we can contact you. 

12. IS U.S. CITIZENSHIP REQUIRED?

Yes, but it is NOT required to take the examination.   You will be required to show proof of citizenship in order to be appointed if you pass all parts of the exam and you are selected for appointment.

13. WHAT IF I DON'T YET HAVE MY HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA?

You will be admitted to the examination, but you will be required to show proof of a High School or Equivalency Diploma in order to be appointed if you pass all parts of the exam and you are selected for appointment.

14. ARE THERE AGE LIMITS FOR THE POLICE OFFICER EXAM?

AGE REQUIREMENT: The following are Pursuant to Section 58 of the NYS Civil Service Law:

Minimum Age:    To be certified as eligible for appointment applicants must be at least 20 years of age.

Maximum Age:   Candidates may not have reached 35 years of age as of the date of the written examination.

 Effect of Military Duty on Age Limits: As defined in Section 243 (1-b and 10-a) of NYS Military Law, up to six (6) years shall be subtracted from the chronological age of an eligible applicant’s maximum age for appointment based on the period of  active military duty. Candidates exercising this provision must submit form DD-214 with their application.

15. HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS APPROVED?

You will receive a Notice of Admission to the examination, which will also provide information on the Free Training.   If you have not received a Notice of Admission, four (4) months prior to the exam, please contact our office as soon as possible.

16. IF I AM DISAPPROVED, WILL I GET MY MONEY BACK?

NO.   The $50 is a non-refundable filing fee.  You should read the exam announcement carefully to be sure you qualify before filing your application.

17. WHAT IF I LOSE MY ADMISSION NOTICE?

Contact our office immediately for a replacement copy.  You will need to show a photo ID and be fingerprinted at the test site if you do not have your admission notice.  Do not wait until the morning of the exam to look for your Admission Notice.

18. HOW CAN I LOCATE A TEST GUIDE TO HELP ME PREPARE FOR THE POLICE OFFICER EXAM?

The Test Guide for this examination, as well as others, is available online at: https://www.cs.ny.gov/testing/localtestguides.cfm

Additional general exam related information is also available How to Take a Written Test and Questions and Answers about Municipal Civil Service Exams

OR a copy can be obtained in our office Monday-Friday 9-5 at Personnel Dept, 255 Main St, Rm. 301, White Plains, NY 10601.

Please note the most important document you should carefully read and consider is the examination announcement itself. Candidates should pay close attention to the "Subjects of Examination" section of the announcement to be informed about the test type and content, and focus their examination preparation upon the information described in this portion of the announcement.

19. WHEN DOES THE FREE TRAINING BEGIN?

You will be notified in the Notice of Admission of the available dates. Training will be held over a series of sessions for which training material will be made available.

20. WHEN WILL I BE NOTIFIED ABOUT THE NEXT PHASE OF THE POLICE OFFICER EXAM?

You will be notified by mail of your grade on the written exam.  In that letter candidates who passed the written exam will also receive information about the scheduled Practice Agility Test.

21. MUST I ATTEND THE PRACTICE PHYSICAL AGILITY TEST?

NO.   The practice agility test is optional.

22. WHEN WILL I BE NOTIFIED ABOUT THE ACTUAL PHYSICAL AGILITY TEST?

We will mail your scheduled date and time approximately 6 months after written exam date.

23. MUST I ATTEND THE ACTUAL PHYSICAL AGILITY TEST?

YES.   You must take and pass the actual agility test to be placed on the eligible list for Police Officer.

24. WHERE IS THE PHYSICAL AGILITY TEST LOCATED?

The location of the test is included in your Admission Notice letter which is mailed to you.  

25. WHAT IF IT RAINS OR THE WEATHER IS BAD ON THE DAY I AM SCHEDULED TO TAKE THE AGILITY TEST?

A message will be left at (914) 422-1279 if the test is cancelled due to inclement weather.

26. WHAT TYPE OF EVENTS ARE INCLUDED IN THE PHYSICAL AGILITY TEST?

The events are described in detail in the Police Office Physical Agility Standards.

27. WHAT IF I DO NOT RECEIVE A LETTER FROM YOUR OFFICE WITH INFORMATION REGARDING THE PHYSICAL AGILITY?

If you do not receive a letter please call our office at (914) 422-1257.

28. WHAT IF I LOSE MY ADMISSION NOTICE BEFORE THE PHYSICAL AGILITY EXAM?

Contact our office immediately.  You will need a photo ID and will be fingerprinted at the test site.

29. WHAT IF MY ADDRESS CHANGES?

If the address you wrote on your application changes, it is your responsibility to notify us by completing the Change of Address Form and returning it to our office.

30. MAY I RESCHEDULE MY ACTUAL PHYSICAL AGILITY TEST?

Yes, however, you may do so only once, and due to the number of candidates taking the test and the limited number of test dates, rescheduling is done on a first-come first-served basis.  Therefore please only request a reschedule date if absolutely necessary. Rescheduling must be approved prior to your original schedule date. Information will be provided in your admission notice.

31. WHAT HAPPENS ONCE I PASS THE PHYSICAL AGILITY EXAM?

If you pass the physical agility exam, your name will be placed on an eligible list.  Since the City of White Plains is subject to a federal consent decree, the eligible list must first be approved by the U.S. Justice Department prior to establishment which is projected for January following the agility exam.  Once the list is established, the names of the eligible candidates are sent to the Department of Public Safety for background check and interviews as vacant positions become available.  If you are the selected candidate, the job offer extended to you will be conditional on passing a background check and a medical & psychological exam.

32. WHEN DO I GO TO THE POLICE ACADEMY?

Only those candidates who pass the background, physical agility, and medical/psychological exams; and have been offered and accept a position as a Police Officer in the City of White Plains will be sent to the Police Academy.