Nassau plans to recruit new police officers

Nassau County will begin a police recruitment drive, which will culminate in an exam Dec. 9, county officials announced Wednesday.

"Becoming a Nassau County police officer will enable you to serve your community, face new challenges on a daily basis and have diversified job tasks," Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano said at a news conference at county headquarters in Mineola.

Nassau County, which has been facing financial difficulties over the past few years, has not hired any new police officers off the last qualification list from the 2007 test and has been reducing department numbers.

"[Still] we do hope to hire some members off the current list [which expires in April] for the county," Mangano said. "With projected retirements in the next two years, we expect a larger number of individuals to be hired off the qualified list of December test-takers."

Nassau Police Commissioner Thomas Dale noted that 88 officers had been hired off the 2007 list, but only for village police departments in Nassau.

"I invite the young men and women who are between the ages of 17 and 34 to take this exam and join the ranks of this great department," said Dale, adding that the department will seek to have its ranks reflect the diversity of the county population.

While 17-year-olds can take the exam, they must be 21 and a citizen to be appointed a police officer, said Nassau's Civil Service Director Karl Kampe. Those who are 34 when they apply must still be 34 when they start the test.

"Special dispensation, however, can be given for up to six years for honorably discharged U.S. armed forces veterans," Kampe said.

Applicants need 32 college credits for appointment, although Hempstead, Kensington, Lake Success, Muttontown and Old Brookville only require a high school diploma.

Applications for the test will be available beginning Friday at: Nassau Police HQ, any Nassau police precinct or center, the county executive's office, and the civil service commission, or by calling 800-RECRUIT.

Applications must be submitted by Oct. 12 and include a $100 fee by certified check or money order. The fee may be waived under certain, verifiable circumstances.