November 11

Psychological Assessment – What does the psychological exam entail?

 “Can candidates who have had psychotherapy in the past be NYPD Police Officers?”

What does the psychological exam entail?

The NYPD Police Officer written exam is long and tedious. You will want to come prepared, as you will be expected to complete a detailed autobiographical questionnaire, answer questions about your current and prior health status and provide extensive information, including objective personality inventory measures.

In addition, you should be prepared for a one-on-one oral interview with a NYPD psychologist who will ask you questions about your educational, employment, psychological, medical and legal history, as well as past and present social relationships. The oral interview will take approximately 1 hour.

There are also steps you can take to help yourself with regard to both for the written testing and oral interview. First and foremost, you should ALWAYS be open, honest, candid with your answers. In addition, come prepared by bringing your resume, transcripts and any and all other relevant documentation you think might be helpful.

For further information regarding this matter please click on the link below: https://www.nyc.gov/site/nypd/careers/police-officers/faqs-hiring-pos.page#psy

If you failed your psychological evaluation or have been disqualified for any other reason and would like to schedule a free consultation, please contact Kevin Sheerin at 516 248 0040.

Email: kevin@sheerinlaw.com

Website: www.sheerinlaw.com

Blog: civilservice.sheerinlaw.com

Facebook: Law_Office_of Kevin_P._Sheerin

Twitter: @DQLawyer

Podcast: www.newyorkcivilservicelawattorneypodcast.com

November 9

Can you have bad vision and become a NYPD Police Officer?

The vision requirements for becoming a police officer go beyond just correctable eyesight and whether you can wear glasses or contacts. Police Officers can wear glasses or contacts, but there are still some things to consider.

  1. Vision Correction. Vision can be corrected to 20/20, with most departments requiring uncorrected vision be no lower than 20/40. One eye can be as low as 20/200 but not both.
  2. Peripheral Vision. You need to have a normal range in your peripheral vision. It affects reaction times and situational awareness in the field. Both are important if you are to be an effective law enforcement officer.
  3. Color Test. Police Officer candidates also need to take a color-blindness exam, as they must be able to recognize all basic colors.
  4. Depth Perception. Good depth perception is necessary for driving and other police officer related tasks, such as firing a weapon and spatial awareness.

Good vision is essential for any law enforcement officer. You should have your eyesight thoroughly tested before applying for any job in the criminal justice field.

If you have been disqualified due to poor vision, a failed psychological evaluation or any other reason and would like to schedule a free consultation, please contact Kevin Sheerin at 516 248 0040.

Email: kevin@sheerinlaw.com

Website: www.sheerinlaw.com

Blog: civilservice.sheerinlaw.com

Facebook: Law_Office_of Kevin_P._Sheerin

Twitter: @DQLawyer

Podcast: www.newyorkcivilservicelawattorneypodcast.com

November 9

How can I become a Police Officer in New York?

Before applying to become an officer with the NYPD, candidates who meet the hiring prerequisites outlined in the paragraph below must first take the written civil service exam. Candidates who pass the civil service exam must next apply to the department. Eligible applicants will be contacted to complete medical and psychological screenings, a character investigation, a physical fitness test, and a pre-hire interview. Prospective recruits who perform well throughout these stages will be conditionally hired and invited to proceed to the final step, attending the New York City Police Academy.

To be eligible to sit for the written civil service exam, applicants must be between the ages of 17.5 and 35. To be hired as an officer with the NYPD, candidates must be US citizens and at least 21 years of age, hold a high school diploma plus at least 60 college credits with a minimum 2.0 GPA, have a valid New York driver’s license, and reside within the five boroughs of New York City or surrounding counties. The college experience requirement may be waived with two years of full-time service with the US Armed Forces.

Once hired as a police recruit, prospective officers attend the New York City Police Academy. The rigorous training program lasts six months. Courses cover such topics as law, behavioral science, physical training and tactics, police science, firearms training, and First Aid/ CPR. Classes in terrorism, identity theft, and other advanced law enforcement skills are also part of the curriculum. Recruits must pass 4 separate exams with a score of 75% or higher to graduate from the academy and be sworn in as NYPD officers.

If you failed your NYPD psychological test or have been disqualified for any reason and would like to schedule a free consultation, please contact Kevin Sheerin at 516 248 0040.

Email: kevin@sheerinlaw.com

Website: www.sheerinlaw.com

Blog: civilservice.sheerinlaw.com

Facebook: Law_Office_of Kevin_P._Sheerin

Twitter: @DQLawyer

Podcast: www.newyorkcivilservicelawattorneypodcast.com

November 7

Why Hiring an Attorney to Help with Your Disqualification Appeal is Worth it

Discouragement is often the first feeling that comes over a candidate after they receive a NYPD NOPD. Followed by conversations with friends and family about how unfair the system is or how others with worse histories, problems or incidents were hired and are currently Police Officers.

Once the initial shock has worn off, it is good to step back and assess what can be done to fight a disqualification.

After serving as a Lieutenant in the NYPD Legal Bureau, Kevin Sheerin retired as a Captain in 2001 and began helping candidates who were disqualified after failing their psychological test. In 2000 Kevin began assisting disqualified candidates with the appeal. Over the years Kevin has helped hundreds of disqualified individuals become NYPD Police Officers.

The first thing one must ask themselves, is do I have the necessary qualities to become a police officer. You should also ask yourself if appealing the disqualification is realistic. If the answer to these questions is yes, then it might be good for you to investigate further and inquire about the appeal process.

Perhaps you had a bad day in the oral psychological interview or you reacted defensively, evasively or simply missed the point. This is human nature when faced with some of the facts and incidents from your past, and it is quite possible that you may have become defensive, evasive or tried to minimize the problems or even reacted inappropriately to criticism and accusations. If this is the case, you may want to work with an independent forensic psychologist who will process your history and story so that it can be cast in a more favorable light. If cast in a more favorable light, the NYPD will many times grant a second interview to disqualified candidates. These interviews most often take place in Lefrak City in Corona Queens. Preparation for these interviews is vital. Understanding the concepts and steps, and speaking to neutral independent third parties with experience in this field can help you greatly. Frequently, good things occur when you receive proper insight and guidance by speaking with others experienced in this field.

If you receive a Notice of Proposed Disqualification or Notice of Disqualification contact Kevin at 516-248-0040 to arrange for a free phone or in-office consultation.

Email: kevin@sheerinlaw.com

Website: www.sheerinlaw.com

Blog: civilservice.sheerinlaw.com

Facebook: Law_Office_of Kevin_P._Sheerin

Twitter: @DQLawyer

Podcast: www.newyorkcivilservicelawattorneypodcast.com

November 6

What drugs disqualify a person from becoming a police officer?

Each agency has their own policy regarding drug use including how long ago the drug use was, the type of drug(s), and the amount used. Of course, any current drug abuse is an automatic disqualifier. 

Some agencies do not disqualify applicants for prior marijuana use provided that it has not occurred within the past several years. Most agencies remove candidates who have used drugs such as cocaine, hallucinogens, modern designer drugs, heroin, etc.  

In most cases the requirement is that a candidate should not have used any drugs for the past few years, and in most departments any prior drug abuse may be a disqualifier. Some departments do not disqualify applicants for limited experimental use. However, that use only applies to certain drugs and during a certain time frame in that persons past. 

If you want to apply for a higher position or start work at a federal level, the requirements are generally much stricter.

If you receive a NYPD Disqualification please contact me at 516-248-0040 and we can arrange for a free phone or in-office consultation.

Email: kevin@sheerinlaw.com

Website: www.sheerinlaw.com

Blog: civilservice.sheerinlaw.com

Facebook: Law_Office_of Kevin_P._Sheerin

Twitter: @DQLawyer

Podcast: www.newyorkcivilservicelawattorneypodcast.com