Recruitment

The mission of the Elmira Police Department is to maintain peace and order through the provision of police services that are of the highest quality and responsive to the needs of the community.

The Department contributes to the safety and security of the community by apprehending those who commit criminal acts, by developing partnerships to prevent, reduce, or eliminate neighborhood problems, and by providing police services that are fair, unbiased, and respectful of the dignity of all individuals.

The Department consists of approximately 71 sworn officers and is commanded by the Chief of Police. Qualified individuals within the Department have the opportunity to specialize in several different career paths, including:

The Elmira Police Department offers a competitive salary, an attractive benefit package, and challenging promotional and assignment opportunities.

Benefit Package:

• →Competitive salary package
• →20-year retirement plan,
• →Full health insurance plan covering prescription drugs and major medical, eye, and dental care,
• →Overtime compensation,
• →Four personal leave days,
• →13.5 paid holidays,
• →Paid vacation based on time in service.
• 60 Mile residential requirement means you'll have access to a variety of school systems and living locations.
• Time-off options allow vacation blocks and numerous days off per year.

Promotional Opportunities:
After four years of service, police officers can be promoted to Sergeant after taking the First-Line Supervisors Exam.

The Elmira Police Department utilizes a two-step process for selecting individuals to be hired as Police Officers.

Step One

• →Apply for and take the Civil Service Entrance Exam. Passing the exam is not enough, you must score high enough (typically in the 100 to 90 percentage range) to be considered.
• →A Physical Agility Test is given to the top candidates on the Civil Service List.
• →An Eligibility List is prepared with those candidates who have successfully completed the Physically Agility Test.

Step Two
Once positions open within the Department the second step of the selection process begins:

• →Canvass letters are sent to the top candidates on the Eligibility List.
• →An Employment Application and Background Questionnaire are completed by those candidates responding to the Canvass Letter.
• →A review of completed Background Questionnaires is completed and a full Background Investigation begins on successful candidates. →The Background Investigation includes the following:
  • Criminal History Check
  • Credit Check
  • Reference Check
  • Employment Verification
• →Once the Background Investigation has been completed and reviewed, successful candidates are interviewed by the Chief of Police.
• →Upon successful completion of the interview process, Successful candidates will be required to submit to a full physical and psychological examination.
• →Once the medical and psychological exams have been successfully completed, the candidates will be sworn in as Police Officers of the Elmira Police Department.

Newly hired Police Officers must successfully complete the NYS Basic Police Officers Academy and an eighteen (18) month probationary period. The Department also requires successful completion of the Field Training Officer program. Once all these conditions have been met, the Police Officer will be appointed as a permanent, full-time Police Officer.

The City of Elmira is seeking candidates to take the Police Officer’s Civil Service Examination. Interested applicants must:

• →have a high school diploma or GED,
• →be 19 years at the date of the exam and 20 years old at the date of appointment,
• →be a U.S. Citizen,
• →be a licensed driver with good driving record,
• →be in good physical condition,
• →have no felony convictions.

Interested applicants should check with the Chemung County/City of Elmira Regional Civil Service Commission for the examination date and the last date to file to take the examination. You may take the exam in Elmira or your local community and cross-file to be placed on the Chemung County/City of Elmira list.

Applications for the exams may be obtained from the Regional Civil Service Commission located at 203 Lake Street, Elmira NY 14901 or below.

Example Police Officer Civil Service Exam

Application for Civil Service Exam

The Elmira Police Department is actively seeking qualified New York State Law Enforcement professionals interested in lateral transfer opportunities. The mission of the Elmira Police Department is to maintain peace and order through the provision of police services that are of the highest quality and responsive to the needs of the community.

The Department contributes to the safety and security of the community by apprehending those who commit criminal acts, by developing partnerships to prevent, reduce, or eliminate neighborhood problems, and by providing police services that are fair, unbiased, and respectful of the dignity of all individuals.

The Elmira Police Department recognizes that each member of our team brings unique talents and skills to the job. Your previous training enhances our police force.

Our commitment to community policing continues to be an attraction to officers. We offer a challenging work environment with promotional and specialization opportunities for the dedicated professional.

We invite you to tour our Department, talk with our command staff and officers, and go on a ride-along. Come see what we have to offer.

We have great reasons to join us: 

1. 1. →Excellent Pay and Benefits – The City of Elmira offers a comprehensive benefit package that is competitive with other private and public sector employers. 20-year Retirement Plan – All sworn personnel participate in the NYS Police and Fire Retirement Plan.
   2. →Excellent Personal Leave Benefits – Each Officer, in addition to regular days off, is allotted 12.5 Paid Holidays per year, 4 Personal Days per year, and annual Vacation Leave based on time in service.
   3. →Excellent Advancement Opportunities – Lateral Transfer Officers may seek promotion after 3 years with the Department. The Department offers a variety of specializations such as Investigations, SWAT, Evidence Technician, K-9, and Crisis Negotiations.

The following qualifications must be met by all active law enforcement personnel wishing to apply for lateral transfer to the Elmira Police Department. You must:

1. 1. Have been initially hired from a valid NYS Civil Service List.
2. 2. Have successfully completed a one (1) year probationary period.
3. 3. Have a clean service record.
4. 4. Submit to a complete background investigation.

Lateral Transfer Opportunities for NYPD/NYSP/SUNY Police Officers and Out-Of-State Police Officers:

The Department is not permitted to take lateral transfers from the following:

• New York City Police Department**
• New York State Police**
• State University of New York Police Officers**
• Police Officers from outside New York State.

However, Officers from these four groups wishing to be hired by the Elmira Police Department may be considered for employment as follows:

• →You must take the NYS Police Officer Entrance Exam.
• →If you place high enough on the list to be hired, the normal police selection process will be completed.
• →If you are selected for employment with the Department, we will submit the curriculum from the basic police academy you initially attended to the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services for review. Based upon this review we will be advised what additional Basic Police Officer training you will be required to completed to be certified as a Police Officer in New York State.

**A copy of the Department of Civil Service Memorandum covering Lateral Transfer from these agencies may be found by clicking here.

Women and Minorities are encouraged to apply.
(The City of Elmira is an Equal Opportunity Employer)

The following files are provided for applicants that have notification from the Elmira Police Department to complete these materials.  They are password protected.  The password will be provided to applicants when they are directed to complete these materials.

EPD Background Packet