Becoming an MTAPD Officer

MTA Police Main Page

The MTA is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Are you looking for a satisfying career in law enforcement with a growing department? Then become one of the highly dedicated and respected officers in New York and Connecticut.

Major Duties
The MTA Police Department is an integral part of the mass transportation effort, and MTA Police Officers are visible protectors of life and property in the MTA transportation system. They are fully empowered officers under the NYS Public Authorities Law, are commissioned in the State of Connecticut, and provide full police services throughout the MTA system.

Utilizing community-based policing strategies, an MTA Police Officer is expected to enhance customer, tenant, and employee relations throughout the MTA system. Additionally, the Police Officer is responsible for protecting all properties, platforms, tracks, and surroundings, as well as storage and maintenance facilities designated by the MTA. The MTA's goal is to increase ridership by providing a safe and friendly environment.

The Officer serves as a presence to help prevent crime and also to identify and arrest any offenders. Additionally, he/she serves as a key participant in all emergency situations, including evacuating trains and administering basic first aid. As a visible member of MTA, the Officer is also expected to act professionally and to be courteous to all those with whom they come in contact.

Requirements (subject to change)

Must be a United States citizen
Must have a valid driver's license
Must have a high school diploma or GED
At the time of appointment, must have a minimum of 60 credits with a 2.0 grade point average from an accredited college. Candidates must secure 60 credits at time of panel interview. As an alternative, candidate can have 2 years satisfactory, full-time active service as a sworn police officer or 2 years of active duty U.S. military experience with honorable discharge.
Must be at least 19 years of age, but no more than 35 years of age, as of the date of the written examination (scheduled for Saturday, April 5, 2008). [Candidates who exceed this age requirement but who have a period of military duty or terminal leave, not exceeding a total of six years, shall have these years subtracted from their age.] At the time of appointment, you must be at least 21 years of age.

Felony and some misdemeanor convictions will disqualify candidates.

Application Process

Must pass an entry-level written police examination
Must pass a physical fitness screening test
Must pass a panel interview
Must pass an in-depth background investigation (At the time of investigation, candidates will be required to pay a $75.00 fee for fingerprint screening)
Must pass a medical examination (which includes, among other things, a drug test)
Must pass a written and oral psychological evaluation
Must pass a polygraph examination
Must successfully complete a Police Academy curriculum

Please note that passing one or more steps in the hiring process does not guarantee selection for further steps in the process.

Benefits
Benefits are governed by the current collective bargaining agreement.
Starting salary is $35,402 annually.

Upon completing five years of service, the top pay is $73,786 annually. Future rates of pay are subject to collective bargaining.
Retirement at 1/2 salary after 20 years
Competitive salary paid weekly
Comprehensive benefits package
Transportation benefits
401K & 457 deferred compensation plans
Tuition reimbursement
Unlimited sick leave with full pay
Uniformed Patrol officers work three 12-hour and 20-minute shifts a week. Every third week officers are required to work a fourth 12-hour and 20-minute shift.

The deadline to apply for the MTA Police Officer position has expired. Examination results for the MTA Police Officer examination will be forwarded to candidates in a few weeks. The examination results will be sent to the email address candidates provided in their on-line application. We ask that candidates check their email regularly, including their spam and junk mail. For directions on how to update your contact information, please review the Frequently Asked Questions below.

Pension Credit For Prior Police Service
Police Officers with the MTA Police Department participate in the MTA 20-Year Police Retirement Program. Under the MTA Police Program, you will only receive pension credit for prior police service which can be transferred from the New York State and Local Police and Fire Retirement System or from the New York City Police Pension Fund, subject to certain conditions, or you can purchase prior police service with the New York City Transit Authority Police Department.

Physical Fitness Screening Test
The Physical Fitness Screening Test will be administered using the Cooper Standard for Physical Fitness.

For questions and answers about the MTAPD testing and hiring process, click here.

Civilian Jobs at MTAPD

The MTA Police Department has many civilian jobs available, including office and support staff and telephone operators and dispatchers. For information, visit the MTA employment webpage

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