Start Your Law Enforcement Career Today
The Albany Police Department has a distinguished history of serving and protecting the citizens of Albany. Apply today and get your chance to work with some of the most skilled officers in the field.
"Working for APD has opened up opportunities for myself and my family that wouldn't have been possible in my previous career."
“I’ve never had the same day twice. Every day brings new challenges in an environment that gives you the opportunity to make a difference. It’s the best job I’ve ever had.”
Choose Your own Path
The Albany Police Department offers a variety of career paths to match your interests and skill set. After gaining experience as a patrol officer, you can apply for specialized units such as Criminal Investigations, Forensics, K9, Mounted Patrol, Bike Patrol, Traffic, SWAT, Counter-Terrorism, and more. Explore the opportunities to grow and advance within a dynamic, rewarding career.
Detective Office
Traffic Safety
Neighborhood Engagement Unit
Special Operations
Training Unit
Why Join Our Team?
At the Albany Police Department, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that supports your career and well-being. Join us to enjoy competitive salaries, health benefits, and opportunities for advancement.
Recruit - Academy
$56,418
Police Officer - After 1 year
$65,066
Police Officer - After 5 years
$85,856
Sergeant
$95,819
Lieutenant
$106,071
Unmatched physical Fitness
Our officers have access to weight rooms at each patrol station and a full gym at our training center. Officers are also offered compensation to attend to Brazilian Jiujitsu training and annual physical fitness evals where you get paid to train.
Paid Time Off
We provide our officers with competitive benefits, including annual paid vacation, paid personal days that accrue over the year, and the opportunity to earn compensatory time, allowing you to accumulate up to 240 hours of additional time off.
Health insurance for you and your family
Officers have access to a comprehensive health insurance program, providing coverage for both themselves and their families. Health insurance enrollment is available at the time of employment, ensuring you have the protection you need from day one.
Retirement
Officers are eligible to retire after 20 years of service.
Upon retirement, your final average earnings (FAE) will be based on the average of your three highest consecutive years of earnings. If the earnings in any 12-month period in your FAE exceed the average of the previous two years by more than 10 percent, the amount above 10 percent will not be included in your FAE calculation.
Ongoing Training
We prioritize ongoing development through extensive in-service training. Officers receive annual firearms training, defensive tactics training including jiujitsu, and immersive VR simulations. Additionally, officers can apply for specialized training in areas of interest such as advanced traffic stops, drug recognition, room clearing tactics, patrol rifle school and much more. These programs ensure our officers stay sharp and continually enhance their skills to serve the community effectively.
The road to your new career
The journey to becoming a Police Officer encompasses the following steps. We will test you mentally, physically and emotionally but when you make it through, you will be ready for anything that lies ahead.
Applications Due: April 2, 2025
Test Date: May 3rd, 2025
Test Location: Candidates will be notified by email
Written Exam
Tested on the following:
- SITUATIONAL JUDGEMENT
- LANGUAGE FLUENCY
- INFORMATION ORDERING & LANGUAGE SEQUENCING
- PROBLEM SENSITIVITY & REASONING
- SELECTIVE ATTENTION
- VISUALIZATION
- SPATIAL ORIENTATION
Fitness Evaluation
Three tests
- Push-Ups
- Sit-Ups (timed)
- 1.5 Mile Run (timed)
Background Check
Applicants must grant permission to review their educational, financial, employment, and criminal records. Interviews will be conducted with family members, neighbors, colleagues, and other acquaintances to see if you are the right fit for our department.
Interview
Qualified candidates will interview with detectives from the office of professional standards who will evaluate their communication skills, judgment, and compatibility with the department's values. This crucial step helps ensure that we select individuals who are not only skilled but also align with our commitment to community service.
Psychological Evaluation
The psychological evaluation is a critical step in the recruitment process. It assesses candidates' mental fitness to handle the demands and stress of police work.
Medical Examination
Before appointment to an academy class, medical examinations will be conducted by a department-designated physician. Each potential appointee will be required to authorize access to health records.
The physician will assess the candidate's medical condition and overall ability to perform the essential job functions.
Academy
The final Hurdle
Our academy is a 8am to 4pm Monday - Friday for a period of 6 months.
Recruits can expect comprehensive training designed to prepare them for the challenges of law enforcement. The program includes both classroom instruction and hands-on training, covering areas such as criminal law, defensive tactics, firearms training, emergency vehicle operation, and physical fitness. Recruits will also receive instruction on community policing, ethics, cultural awareness and de-escalation tactics. The academy emphasizes discipline, teamwork, and leadership, ensuring recruits are well-equipped to serve and protect their community with professionalism and integrity.
Join the Albany Police
Start your journey to serve and protect your community. Apply today or reach out for details!
FAQs
Find answers to common questions about becoming a police officer with the Albany Police Department.
$56,418 while in the Academy and $65,066 upon graduation.
This is before any overtime or any other incentives.
Overtime opportunities are a hallmark of the Albany Police Department, offering a chance to boost your earnings while serving the community. With daily overtime options available, the flexibility is in your hands—work as much as you want, up to 16 hours a day to ensure you get the rest you need.
- Be at least nineteen (19) years of age on or before May 3rd, 2025, to be admitted to the written test.
- Eligibility for appointment as a police officer begins when the candidate reaches age 20.
- Candidates who reach their 35th birthday on or before the date of the written examination are not qualified.
EXCEPTION: Candidates may have a period of military duty or terminal leave up to six (6) years. - Possess A valid NYS Driver’s License is at the time of appointment and for the duration of employment.
- By the date of appointment, candidates must be a high school graduate or hold an equivalency diploma issued by an educational department of any state in the US or hold a comparable diploma issued by any commonwealth, territory or possession of the US or by the Canal Zone or hold a report from the United States Armed Forces certifying successful completion of the tests of general educational development, high school level.
The Albany Police Department is a full-service, 24-hour police department with three 8 hour shifts. Employees, both sworn and non-sworn work 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. or 12:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. Employees on special assignments may have flexible or different hours depending on their role at the department.
Residency in the City of Albany is not required; however, preference in appointment may be given to candidates who have been legal residents of the City of Albany for at least 30 days immediately preceding the date of the written exam. As recently as our current academy class we have hired residents of the county and surrounding areas.
Each station is equipped with a weight room. While on duty, officers may take their 45 minute break in order to utilize the weight room or go to west station's full training center. Officers are also compensated for attending defensive tactics training events. If they are off duty while they attend the trainings, officers are given comp time (utilized for taking time off) for each training they attend. In addition to the defensive tactics training, officers are able to take a yearly physical fitness evaluation and based upon their performance in the evaluation they may receive up to 20 hours of comp time.
Yes, here are the minimum qualifications for lateral transfers:
Must be a Police Officer currently serving with:
- NYS Municipal Police
- NYS Park Police
- SUNY Police
- NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
- NYPD
- NYC Department of Environmental Protection
EXCLUDES: NYS Trooper, MTA Police
You must have a NYS DCJS basic course certificate for Police Officer or certified by NYSDCJS, as a Police Officer, completed required Probationary Period and reached Permanent Status with current PD. Must have been appointed from a Civil Service list; must provide a copy to the roster card, current examination announcement, and current job description; from the Civil Service Agency's Personnel Department that has implemented the examination, which you are currently hired from. Must have a valid New York State Driver's License.
Yes, for those who either do not qualify for a position as a police officer or your interested in other career paths, we have many non sworn positions. These include positions like:
- Telecommunications Specialist
- Community Aide
- Domestic Violence Intake Specialist
- Information Clerk
- Matron
- Social worker
To apply or get more information regarding these positions press the button below:
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