Fees Waived for Police Officer/Deputy Sheriff Exam
Part of Ongoing County Efforts to Increase Diversity
Poughkeepsie, NY… Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro has announced there will be no fees for applicants to take the upcoming Police Officer/Deputy Sheriff Exam civil service exam as part of the County’s ongoing commitment to a diverse workforce. Dutchess County Human Resources will host the Law Enforcement Exam on Saturday, September 18th, 2021. The exam is part of the path to becoming a Dutchess County Deputy Sheriff or to serve on local municipal police forces.
Waiving the exam fee for applicants, expanded outreach and awareness efforts, and free preparation courses are all part of efforts to help expand the pool of candidates interested in beginning a rewarding career in law enforcement. Expanding the applicant pool helps increase the diversity of law enforcement workforces, to be representative of the community it serves, a priority highlighted in Dutchess County Police Reform & Modernization plan issued earlier this year.
County Executive Molinaro said, “One of the priorities from community stakeholders as we crafted the Dutchess County Police Reform & Modernization Plan was to remove barriers along the path to a law enforcement career. Waiving the fee, helping people prepare for the exams and physical tests, going to the places where potential candidates are– these are just some of the ways we are removing barriers and encouraging people to serve the community in which they live as a law enforcement officer.”
Josayne Anderson-Tejera, Dutchess County’s Equal Employment Opportunity & Inclusion Officer, noted, “Diversity in law enforcement adds more perspectives based on lived experiences, increases inclusion and belonging and allows the voices of underrepresented groups to be heard at such a crucial moment in modern-day history.”
The Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO), as well as local municipal police departments, in partnership with Dutchess County Human Resources, are committed to a diverse workforce and are engaged in a number of initiatives to eliminate barriers and improve recruitment efforts.
In addition to waiving the exam fee for applicants, which is normally $25, other efforts include:
- Expanding recruitment efforts at a variety of events, including upcoming Hudson Valley Renegades baseball games at Dutchess Stadium, as well as outreach at local apartment and housing complexes.
- Providing free preparation courses to help interested candidates prepare for both the written exam and the physical agilities test components to increase the number of candidates who successfully completed the recruitment process. Preparation courses are hosted by the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office at various locations throughout the county. Dates and times are posted on the DCSO Facebook page.
- Waiving the 60-college credit requirement to be eligible to take the civil service exam. Dutchess County now requires new officers to acquire 60 college credits within five years of hiring and receive Crisis Intervention Training within two years of appointment.
Dutchess County Sheriff Adrian “Butch” Anderson said, “We continue to seek dedicated men and women of all backgrounds and experiences who are willing to pursue the admirable profession of law enforcement. Only by attracting the best and most diverse applicants will the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office to continue to be second to none, and we look forward to adding more deputies who represent the varied community we serve and protect.”
Interested candidates can sign up for Police Officer/Deputy Sheriff Exam online at www.DutchessNY.gov/Jobs. Exam registration deadline is August 4th.
To learn more about Dutchess County and other civil service employment opportunities, visit www.DutchessNY.gov/Jobs. To receive alerts for current recruitment and exam postings, please sign up for Dutchess Delivery Human Resources announcements.