Residence Requirements:

THIS EXAMINATION IS OPEN TO ALL QUALIFIED EMPLOYEES OF THE TOWNS OF AMHERST, CHEEKTOWAGA or TONAWANDA.  The eligible list resulting from this examination will be used to fill future vacancies.  Successful candidates will be considered for appointment only in the police department in which they were employed at the time of the written test.

The eligible list resulting from this examination will NOT supersede currently existing promotional eligible lists for this title, if any.  The duration of all promotional eligible lists is four years from date of establishment unless otherwise indicated.

Examples of Duties:

An Assistant Police Chief (Type C Department) assists the Police Chief in planning and directing activities of the department;

Takes charge of the department in the absence of the Police Chief;

Investigates any complaints or charges of laxity or misconduct in performance of duties by the members of the police force;

Makes periodic inspections of the activities and records of the police bureau; has charge of police training and conducts periodic classes for members of the force;

Assists in planning the distribution of police strength;

Holds staff conferences;

Prepares reports of police activities;

Assists Police Chief with budgetary issues;

May handle police fleet operations, media relations and legal affairs.

Qualifications:

QUALIFYING EXPERIENCE FOR TAKING THE TEST:  Candidates must be permanently employed in the competitive class and must be serving and have served continuously on a permanent or contingent permanent basis in the competitive class as follows:

Notes:

None.

A Guide for the Written Test for Police Chief/Assistant Chief is available at the New York State website: www.cs.ny.gov/testing/localtestguides.cfm. Candidates not having access to a computer or the internet may request copy of the test guide from the municipal civil service office conducting this examination using the contact information found elsewhere on this announcement. 

Subjects of Examination:

Subjects of Examination: A written test designed to evaluate knowledge, skills and /or abilities in the following areas:

1. Knowledge of law enforcement methods, practices and procedures

These questions test for knowledge of accepted police methods and practices and/or their application to situations in the police field. The questions are a sampling of the various knowledge that police personnel may be required to possess in the course of their day-to-day, work-related activities. Areas covered include investigation procedures, patrol techniques, police-community relations, courtroom procedures, personnel practices, policy making and budgeting procedures.

2. Knowledge of New York State laws

These questions test the candidates' knowledge of the laws in effect on January 1, 2018. This portion of the test is a sampling of the various sections of the law that police personnel may encounter in the course of their day-to-day work-related activities. Laws covered may include the Penal Law, Criminal Procedure Law, Vehicle and Traffic Law, Family Court Act, and other laws relevant to law enforcement in New York State.

3. Police Administrative Supervision and Administration

These questions test for the knowledge of managerial functions involved in directing the operations of a B or C level police department as well as the knowledge of the principles and practices involved in supervising a large subordinate staff, including subordinate supervisors. These questions cover such areas as: developing objectives and formulating policies; forecasting and planning; organizing and coordinating; informing and instructing; guiding and leading; decision-making and problem solving; communicating effectively; staffing and staff development; time management; assigning work and evaluating performance; handling conflict and grievances; and budgeting.

4. Understanding and interpreting written material

These questions test how well you comprehend written material. You will be provided with brief reading selections and will asked questions about the selections. All the information required to answer the questions will be presented in the selections; you will not be required to have any special knowledge relating to the subject areas of the selections.

5. Preparing written material in a police setting

These questions test for the ability to prepare the types of reports that police personnel write. Some questions test for the ability to present information clearly and accurately. They consist of restatements of information given in note form. You must choose the best version from each set of four choices. Other questions test for the ability to organize paragraphs. They consist of paragraphs with their sentences out of order. For each of the paragraphs you must choose, from four suggestions, the best order of the sentences.

P. E. R. C. Statement

The final rating key for this examination will be established by the State Civil Service Commission prior to the testing date, upon recommendation of a committee of police experts who will review all the questions for appropriateness and accuracy. There will be no review of the questions by candidates. The committee was selected with the assistance and endorsement of the Police Conference of New York, Inc., the New York State Association of PBAs, Inc., and the New York State Association of Chiefs of Police, Inc.

NOTICE TO CANDIDATES:  Use of calculators is prohibited for this examination.  Devices with typewriter keyboards, "Spell Checkers", "Personal Digital Assistants", "Address Books", "Language Translators", "Dictionaries", or any similar devices are prohibited.  Cell phones are prohibited.  You may not bring books or other reference materials.

INFORMATION FOR PROMOTION CANDIDATES

Unless otherwise indicated, the eligible list resulting from this examination will have a duration of four years and will not supersede existing promotional lists, if any.

RATINGS REQUIRED:  Test is rated on a scale of 100 with a passing mark at 70.  Test instructions may further divide the tests into parts and set minimum standards for each part.

Points will be added to scores of candidates who achieve a passing mark as follows: Seniority:  For each year of service in the classified service:

Less than 1 year……………………..................…0 points

1 year up to 6 years…………….…........................1 point

Over 6 years up to 11 years.....………......….........2 points

Over 11 years up to 16 years….…........….........…3 points

Over 16 years up to 21 years………..................…4 points

Over 21 years………………………..................…5 points

**IMPORTANT APPLICATION FEE - READ CAREFULLY**

A $30.00 filing fee is required for this exam. The required fee must accompany your application. Send or bring check or money order made payable to Erie County Personnel Department and write the examination number(s) on your check or money order. Do not send or bring cash, as the County cannot be responsible for cash payment. As no refund will be made, you are urged to compare your qualifications carefully with the requirements for admission and file only for those examinations for which you are clearly qualified.