Career Opportunities

Officers are part of the educational process. They speak on topics such as sexual assault, drugs, crime prevention, and traffic safety. They develop and maintain a positive relationship with students, faculty, and staff to ensure the entire campus community's safety and cooperation.

University Police Officers receive their official powers through the Education Law and the Criminal Procedure law. These authorize a University Police Officer to make warrantless arrests based on probable cause; to use appropriate force in making an arrest; to issue uniform appearance tickets and traffic summonses, and execute arrest and bench warrants.

University Police Officers are assigned to fixed or rotating shifts involving patrol assignments or dispatch/desk posts.

Officers also can take advantage of statewide promotional opportunities.

Whatever the assignment, wherever the opportunity, University Police Officers perform their duties consistent with the educational mission of the campuses they service.

Training

Officers receive training that includes penal law, criminal procedure law, first aid, CPR, the role of campus law enforcement, defensive tactics, firearms training, crisis intervention, multi-cultural diversity, and university issues.

Requirements

State University of New York University Police Officers must meet New York State's highest standards for law enforcement officers.

To become a SUNY University Police Officer, a person must:

• be 21 years of age
• be a New York State resident
• have completed 60 college credit hours
• possess a valid New York State drivers license
• pass a written Civil Service examination
• pass a medical examination
• have binocular acuity of 20/30 corrected or uncorrected and no less than 20/100 uncorrected
• pass a physical agility test
• pass a psychological examination
• pass an extensive background investigation
• complete the Basic School for Police Officers
• pass and complete a probationary period of employment

The first step is the Civil Service examination. Following a successful score notification, candidates must then pass the oral interview and all medical/psychological testing. Upon successful completion of the selection process, all recruits begin training at a regional police academy.

Benefits

As an employee of New York State, a SUNY University Police Officer is eligible for many benefits. These benefits include:

• 13 paid holidays per year
• annual paid uniform cleaning allowance
• SUNY will supply all safety-related equipment
• New York State retirement system
• the choice among several medical programs
• optional long and short-term disability coverage
• employer-paid life insurance with employee paid option to increase the level of coverage
• voluntary enrollment in the local credit union
• special event overtime opportunities
• shift differential pay

The State University of New York is an equal opportunity Affirmative Action employer. Women and underrepresented (African, Asian, Hispanic, and Native Americans) persons are encouraged to apply for entrance examinations.

Further information regarding careers with the University Police can be obtained by contacting your nearest SUNY University Police Department or the Office of University Police, Central Administration, SUNY Plaza, Albany, NY 12246

Dates and applications for entrance examinations can be obtained from the above or nearest New York State Employment Office. Particular questions regarding your qualifications for the examination can also be directed to the New York State Department of Civil Service, Staffing Services, Building 1, State Campus, Albany, NY 12239.

Excerpted from the pamphlet "Pursue a Career as a State University of New York University Police Officer."