NYPD, SCPD: Hiring questions

[EMT24]

Hello all,

Thank you for taking the time to read (and hopefully respond to) this post.

Background info: I'm a 23 year old EMT who just signed up for both the NYPD and SCPD exams (signed up for scpd, just took exam for nypd). I'm really hoping to pursue a career in law enforcement so I hope that my application process goes through without any problems. However, in regards to that, I have a few questions (I've already searched for my questions and was not able to find a straight answer to them. If you've already seen my questions, I apologize and ask you to tell me what keywords you searched for because I think I tried it all!)

1. Does being an EMT/working for EMS give a candidate any "points?" Would you, as a BI take this fact into account and if so, how much would this mean to a recruiting officer? I know military service is important but is ems?

2. The type of question that is all over this forum... 4 years ago (2007), I was arrested twice for driving with a suspended license, both times within a 3 day period (I was in upstate NY visiting a friend, got pulled over and arrested. 2 days later I'm trying to get back home to nyc to fix the problem... same cop sees me driving and pulls me over again) Charges were dropped to traffic violations. Since that time, there have been no violations and I've become an EMT. How badly would this be viewed by the recruiting officer/BI? Would I be considered as having no regard for the law/repeat offender?

3. Considering everything else on my application is good (except for some debts I'm trying to pay off) ie. good gpa in school, no drug or alcohol abuse, no misdemeanors or felonies, no unpaid parking tickets, current emt, etc., how good (or bad) would my chances be of getting into NYPD or SCPD?

4. And for any SCPD members out there, or anyone who knows how SCPD works, is there priority being given to Spanish speaking applicants? I saw on the applications list that there is a special application for officers who speak fluent Spanish. Any more info on this? I do know that the SCPD has recently come under fire from minority groups for the disproportionate small amount of non-white officers (what the hell do they expect?! It's Long Island!)

Again, thanks to all who respond and read.

[Joeyd6]

1. Does being an EMT/working for EMS give a candidate any "points?" Would you, as a BI take this fact into account and if so, how much would this mean to a recruiting officer? I know military service is important but is ems?

None. You get credit being a cadet with the NYPD if you can wiggle into that program.

2. The type of question that is all over this forum... 4 years ago (2007), I was arrested twice for driving with a suspended license, both times within a 3 day period (I was in upstate NY visiting a friend, got pulled over and arrested. 2 days later I'm trying to get back home to nyc to fix the problem... same cop sees me driving and pulls me over again) Charges were dropped to traffic violations. Since that time, there have been no violations and I've become an EMT. How badly would this be viewed by the recruiting officer/BI? Would I be considered as having no regard for the law/repeat offender?

It will be an issue during the psych. Fixable....probably but you will get grilled at the NYPD. If you react wrong or can't properly explain it, you are screwed. By the way...a suspended DL is from the STATE DMV...meaning you can go to any DMV to work it out...you didn't have to drive back to NYC. This shows a pattern of poor decision making, poor driving habits and a lack of maturity. They like 5+ years after these incidents of clean time.

3. Considering everything else on my application is good (except for some debts I'm trying to pay off) ie. good gpa in school, no drug or alcohol abuse, no misdemeanors or felonies, no unpaid parking tickets, current emt, etc., how good (or bad) would my chances be of getting into NYPD or SCPD?

Depends how you do on the written test, providing your BI with the full story and documenst needed and off course, how you present yourself during the psych.

4. And for any SCPD members out there, or anyone who knows how SCPD works, is there priority being given to Spanish speaking applicants? I saw on the applications list that there is a special application for officers who speak fluent Spanish. Any more info on this? I do know that the SCPD has recently come under fire from minority groups for the disproportionate small amount of non-white officers (what the hell do they expect?! It's Long Island!)

Again, thanks to all who respond and read.[/QUOTE]

[EMT24]

Thanks a lot, Joeyd6. Thank you very much for the detailed answers.

Stay safe out there.

[Joeyd6]

Your welcome! Same to you!