Police applicants know that it’s not easy to make a career change. You might be asking yourself:
What is the best sheriff’s office and police department to work for in New York? How do I know if I am qualified to apply and what should my cover letter include?
These answers and more will be discussed in this article.
We have compiled a list of the 11 best sheriff’s office and police departments agencies in New York, as well as information on how you can apply!
However, before we get to that, here are some of the most important tips that you need to keep in mind if you want to become a sheriff or police officer.
Tips For Law Enforcement Applicants
The most important thing to remember when applying for a position in law enforcement is that you need to have the right mindset and attitude.
You should be passionate about serving your community and have a strong desire to make a difference.
In addition, you should be able to work well under pressure and be willing to deal with stressful situations.
Police and sheriff’s office agencies look for people who are physically fit, have a clean criminal history, and are willing to go through extensive training.
Lastly, one of the most important things is that you must be able to clearly communicate verbally and in writing.
In fact, around 70% of all jobs that are open to public service employees require you to have excellent communication skills.
Now that you know the basics and what qualifications and skills law enforcement agencies are looking for in their applicants, let’s talk about the 11 best sheriff’s office and police departments agencies in New York.
14 Best Sheriff and Police Departments in NYS
Below is a list of the best sheriff’s office and police department agencies in New York.
1. New City Police Department
Serving residents of Rockland County since 1883, this agency is one of the oldest law enforcement departments in New York.
The New City Police Department is known for its community-oriented policing and offers a variety of career opportunities, including detective, K-12 school resource officer, and emergency dispatcher.
To apply, visit their website for more information.
New City Police Department, 100 North Main Street, New City, NY
2. Suffolk County Police Department
The Suffolk County Police Department is the largest law enforcement agency in New York, with over 4000 sworn officers and over 1000 civilian employees.
This department offers a variety of specialty units, including K-12 schools safety patrol units, bomb squad, HAZMAT team, crisis negotiation teams.
Suffolk County is home to many scenic parks and beaches on the North Shore of Long Island with a population of over two million people in both Nassau and Suffolk counties.
With so much diversity it has its benefits and challenges.
The department has been nationally accredited since 2008 by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA).
Officers receive a competitive salary with paid overtime hours and a generous benefits package.
3. NYPD
The NYPD is the largest police department in the United States, with over 35,000 officers.
The department offers a variety of specialty units, including a canine unit, aviation unit, Mounted Unit, and scuba team.
The NYPD has been nationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) since 1999.
Officers receive a competitive salary with paid overtime hours and a generous benefits package.
The NYPD is also a very diverse department with a high level of career advancement opportunities.
NYC is home to over eight million people and offers great entertainment options for visitors and residents alike.
It also boasts many famous tourist attractions such as Times Square, Central Park, Empire State Building, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the New York City Opera which are all located in the heart of Times Square.
4. Nassau County Police Department
The Nassau County Police Department is the second-largest police department in New York, with over 2100 sworn officers.
This department offers a variety of specialty units including K-12 schools safety patrol unit, bomb squad, HAZMAT team, crisis negotiation teams.
Nassau County has many beaches on Long Island’s south shore and a population of over one million people.
The department has been nationally accredited since 2007 by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA).
Officers receive a competitive salary with paid overtime hours and a generous benefits package, including tuition reimbursement.
5. Rockland County Sheriff’s Office
The Rockland County Sheriff’s Office is a full-service law enforcement agency that is responsible for the enforcement of civil and criminal laws in Rockland County.
The Office operates a number of divisions, including 911 communications center, fleet management division, sheriff’s academy training bureau, office of community outreach & reentry services, executive security section, and court liaison unit.
The average salary at the department is very competitive with other law enforcement agencies.
The Rockland County Sheriff’s Office is located in New York and was founded in 1838.
To apply for a deputy sheriff position at the Rockland County Sheriff’s Office, visit their website.
6. Westchester County Police Department
The Westchester County Police Department is a full-service law enforcement agency that strives to have the most professional and courteous police officers in the nation.
The Department has over 700 sworn and civilian employees, making it one of the largest municipal law enforcement agencies in New York State.
Westchester County is located just north of the Bronx and serves a population of over 950,000 residents.
To apply for a position with the Westchester County Police Department, visit their website.
7. Buffalo Police Department
The Buffalo Police Department is committed to being the best police department in America.
Through its core values of integrity, fairness, professionalism, and respect for others, the Department’s mission is to provide security services that are responsible for preserving peace within city limits.
This agency has a number of divisions including patrol division, traffic safety bureau, detective bureau, special operations bureau, and the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority Police Department.
The Buffalo Police Department is located in New York and was founded in 1866.
To apply for a position with the Buffalo Police Department visit their website.
8. Rochester Police Department
The Rochester Police Department is a nationally accredited law enforcement agency that has over 500 sworn and civilian employees.
This department is responsible for providing police services to the citizens of Rochester, which is located in upstate New York.
Rochester is the third-largest city in New York and has a population of over 210,000 residents.
Notable alumni from the Rochester Police Department include William J. Bratton and Howard Safir.
To apply for a position with the Rochester Police Department visit their website.
9. Syracuse Police Department
The Syracuse Police Department is a full-service law enforcement agency that has over 400 sworn and civilian employees.
This department is responsible for providing police services to the citizens of Syracuse, which is located in upstate New York.
Syracuse is the fifth-largest city in New York and has a population of over 145,000 residents.
The Syracuse Police Department is known for its annual Toy Drive, which collects over 15,000 toys each year.
To apply for a position with the Syracuse Police Department visit their website.
11. Yonkers Police Department
The Yonkers Police Department is a full-service law enforcement agency that has over 350 sworn and civilian employees.
This department is responsible for providing police services to the citizens of Yonkers, which is located in Westchester County, New York.
Yonkers is the fourth largest city in New York and has a population of over 195,000 residents.
The Yonkers Police Department employs a number of Community Service Aides, which are civilian employees that perform a wide range of duties.
To apply for a position with the Yonkers Police Department visit their website.
12. Ithaca Police Department
The Ithaca Police Department is a full-service law enforcement agency that has over 200 sworn and civilian employees.
This department is responsible for providing police services to the citizens of Ithaca, which is located in upstate New York.
Ithaca is home to both Cornell University and Ithaca College, and has a population of over 30,000 residents.
The Ithaca Police Department is known for employing the youngest police chief in New York State back in 1987.
Notable attractions in Ithaca include the Cayuga Nature Center, Tompkins Cortland Community College Ice Arena, and the Wildflower Preserve.
To apply for a position with the Ithaca Police Department visit their website.
13. Oneonta Police Department
The Oneonta Police Department is a full-service law enforcement agency that has over 125 sworn and civilian employees.
This department is responsible for providing police services to the citizens of Oneonta, which is located in upstate New York.
Oneonta is home to Hartwick College and SUNY Cobleskill, and has a population of over 17,000 residents.
The Oneonta Police Department is known for hiring its first female police officer back in 1918.
Notable attractions in Oneonta include the Blount Park Historic District, Old Main Street Historic District, and Rock Stream Gorge Preserve.
To apply for a position with the Oneonta Police Department visit their website.
14. Rome Police Department
The Rome Police Department is a full-service law enforcement agency that has over 100 sworn and civilian employees.
This department is responsible for providing police services to the citizens of Rome, which is located in Oneida County, New York.
Rome has a population of over 50,000 residents and was originally known as “the Rome of the World”.
The Rome Police Department is known for employing a number of K-12 School Resource Officers, who work in local schools to keep students and teachers safe.
Notable attractions in Rome include the Adirondack Regional Arts Council (ARAC), John F Kennedy Park, and Oneida County Courthouse Complex.
How to apply for a police job at NYPD?
The process of becoming a law enforcement officer in New York is not an easy one. It requires hard work, dedication, and perseverance.
However, if you are committed to making your community a safe place to live, then the NYPD may be the right department for you.
Below we have outlined the basic steps that you need to take to apply for a job in the NYPD.
The first step is completing your application online at their website, nyc.gov/nypd-careers.
You will be asked about why you want to join the police department and if you have any past criminal history or have been involved in civil lawsuits against you.
Applicants are also required to pass a written test, which is offered multiple times throughout the year.
After you have passed the written test, you will be required to take part in an oral interview with a panel of NYPD officers.
If you are successful in your oral interview, you will then be required to complete a medical examination and drug screening.
If you are hired, you will be required to complete a six-month training academy.
