NYPD Advancement Questions

[JKOSU]

Just wondering, on average how many years until a police officer becomes a sergeant and then a liutenant?

I know it's based on exams and merit but how long does it seem to take for most of the officers nowadays.

Thanks

[Letmypeoplego]

You test to Sgt. Lt and Capt. Detective 3rd, 2nd, 1st (tougher than making rank, only about 300 on job, makes Lt. pay) and above Capt are appointed.
Sgt and Captain are toughest tests because its the entry and departure levels for testing. Lt. is relatively the easiest. I think Lt. and Capt also have an oral part to the test. Takes as long as your luck and ambition.

[JKOSU]

lets say you have average luck and average ambition..how long would you say it takes(if you know)? for sgt and Lt

[swax119]

lets say you have average luck and average ambition..how long would you say it takes(if you know)? for sgt and Lt

You can take the SGT test after 3 yrs OTJ, but can not be promoted until you have 5. After that I believe all you need is a day in rank to take the next test, but not sure ( i know its that way for fdny my friends there told me) I know a guy who made it to Capt in under 15 yrs OTJ in the NYPD. I meet him when he was a LT back in 04 and he made Capt end of 06

[saxyjc]

To set the record straight...You can take the sgt test with 3 years on, you cannot get promoted till you have 5. To get promoted to LT, you need to have two years in rank as a sgt. To get promoted to Capt, you need two years in rank as a LT. Nothing is based on merit because these titles are all civil service. Above captain, and all of the Det. grades are all discretionary ranks, meaning you get promoted on merit...or whose *** you kiss the most. For det 3rd grade, you have to be assigned to an investigatory unit in an investigatory capacity for 18 months as a police officer before you are promoted to detective. Unless you kiss alot of ***. Theres also something called detective specialist, which gets paid at the det 3rd grade level, but isn't required to do the 18 months. Basically you get that if you have a special skill, or you do something heroic.

[JohnDoe61]

let it be know to become a sgt. you also need 4 years of college ba degree.

[boylondon168]

to be a sgt. i believe you need 64 credits. to be a captain you need a ba/bs degree.

[saxyjc]

boylondon is correct.