How to become a police officer in New York
In New York, police officers are hired by city police departments and county sheriff's offices. The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) / Municipal Police Training Council (MPTC) sets the statewide standards; the credential is Basic Course for Police Officers certificate of completion. At the New York City Police Department (NYPD), new hires start at $55,942 a year, rising to $109,352 after about 5.5 years. You must be at least 20.
Pay at the New York City Police Department (NYPD)
Each city and county sets its own pay. This is the official scale of the New York City Police Department (NYPD), the largest city's agency.
| Starting salary | $55,942 |
|---|---|
| Top of scale | $109,352 |
| Years to top | 5.5 |
| Scale effective | 2026-07-01 |
NYPD police officer minimum salary and base pay after 5.5 years, from the 2026–27 NYC police officer exam notice.
Source:[nyc.gov]
Pay for this work across New York
Federal survey figures for police and sheriff's patrol officers in New York, counting every employer in the state, public and private, so they differ from any one agency's pay scale above.
| People in this work | 53,470 |
|---|---|
| Lower pay (10th percentile) | $53,000 |
| Median pay | $92,790 |
| Higher pay (90th percentile) | $118,250 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state estimates (all employers)[bls.gov]
Requirements
- Minimum age: 20
- Education: High school graduate or high school equivalency diploma
- Citizenship: U.S. citizen at time of appointment (Public Officers Law 3)
- Civil Service Law 58(1): not less than 20 years of age at appointment nor more than 43 at the date of the written examination
- Must meet the height, weight, physical and psychological fitness requirements set by the Municipal Police Training Council
- Good moral character per MPTC background investigation standards
- DCJS: written exam, physical fitness exam and medical exam (may include drug screening); psychological exam and background investigation may be required; a criminal or felony conviction may disqualify
- Must complete the Basic Course for Police Officers within one year of appointment
Source:[nysenate.gov]
Hiring process
- Civil service written examination
- Physical fitness examination
- Medical examination (may include drug screening)
- Psychological examination (may be required)
- Background investigation (may be required)
- Appointment
- Basic Course for Police Officers within one year of appointment
Source:[criminaljustice.ny.gov]
Required training
Length not published. DCJS: "The current BCPO consists of a minimum standard of over 700 hours established by the" Municipal Police Training Council; no exact total is published. Must be completed within one year of appointment. A Pre-Employment route (college-partnered first component open to civilians, second component after appointment) is also approved.[criminaljustice.ny.gov]
Pension and retirement
- Plan: New York State and Local Police and Fire Retirement System (NYSLRS PFRS), Tier 6
- Benefit formula: Section 384-d special 20-year plan: with at least 20 years of creditable service, 50 percent of final average earnings (FAE); maximum 50% of FAE. FAE = average of highest three consecutive years of earnings
- When you can retire: Special 20- or 25-year plans (Sections 384, 384(f), 384-d, 384-e): eligible for service retirement once the plan's required service is accrued, regardless of age; vested at 5 years
Covers local police outside New York City; the plan (20- or 25-year) depends on what the employer has adopted. Tier 6 contributions 3.00% (wages $45,000 or less) to 6.00% (over $100,000). NYPD officers are in the separate New York City Police Pension Fund, not captured here. Plan formula from https://osc.ny.gov/retirement/publications/1517/20-year-benefit-section-384-d
Source:[osc.ny.gov]