billmann wrote on Oct 31^st, 2005 at 11:41pm:



While I have never personally worked for the NYPD, as an outside observer who has worked for a few law enforcement agencies I would venture to say the following.

First and foremost, the pay sucks. Lets face it, 25 grand to start and 32 out of academy.  How anyone can live of that and not still live with their parents is a mystery to me.  

I realize that pay is not everything, but it helps and it also reduces the amount of overtime that you have to work giving you more time with your family, friends and well lets face it, personal time.  NYPD pay is no where on par with the cost of living in NY.

Another factor to consider is that they are hurting really bad for officers.  They have continued to lose officers and now have less officers than 5 years ago.  This usually leads to them hiring people that are less than qualified to simply fill in more bodies.  One of the most frustrating factors about working in LE is working with incompetence, slugs or the illiterate.  Nothing is worst than a case being thrown out because the defense lawyer makes the arresting officers seem clueless or criticizes their reports based on horrible grammar, misspelling etc.  Nothing and believe NOTHING makes you more bitter than seeing a true shitbag get away with his crimes because of incompetence on the officer's part, failure to read him his rights, violation of 4th amendment etc. etc. etc.

I'm actually pretty done with all the background investigations. My investigator told me that I was good, all I have to do is wait for the call. Although he showed me some positive signs that I would get in,but  I'm still afraid. The class starts July 10th, and I'm trully anxious. Is there a way that you can tell if whether or not you'll get that call. I also received a letter from 1 police plaza signed by the commissioner saying that he looks forward to meeting the candidates and congratulating us on passing the requirements. If anyone is going through the same thing or went through this please reply. Thanks!

well i wanna take whats going to hire me. I dont trust those polygraph exams and i only plan on taking a couple of those exams. 

Can someone tell me why NYPD is considered to be so bad?

You won't some advise?  Don't join the NYPD.  If you want to be employed in NYC Civil service take the Fire or Sanitation exam.  They both pay more and have better working conditions.  Same benefits and retirement as well.

If you want to be a cop in NYC take the surburban exams or the MTA and Port Authority exams.

If you pass everything for the NYPD are you pretty much garuanteed to get hired?

How extensive is their background process?

Anyone have any experiences they want to share about this.