Careers

Choose a career that makes a difference! The Town of Colonie Police department is constantly seeking talented and service-oriented people to join our team and assist us in providing the best service to our community, residents and businesses. Below you will find information regarding the requirements for a police officer and a public safety dispatcher. For other positions within the police department, see Town of Colonie Civil Service department exam announcements.


Become a Colonie Police Officer

Colonie Police Officer candidates are required to take a New York State written civil service examination, which is administered by the Town of Colonie Civil Service department. The written exam is scheduled once every three years. The starting salary for this position is $62,208. The salary after 5 years is $93,215.

Minimum Qualifications

Colonie Police Officer candidates must meet the following requirements on or before the date of the New York State Civil Service written test.

  • Education
    Satisfactory completion of sixty (60) college credit hours from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university
  • Age
    Candidates must be at least 19 years old to be admitted to the test and must have reached his or her 20th birthday to be certified as eligible for appointment. Candidates who reach their 35th birthday on or before the date of the written examination are not qualified except as follows.* Candidates may have a period of military duty or terminal leave up to six years, as defined in Section 243 (10-a) of the Military Law, deducted from their age for purposes of determining whether they meet the age requirement.
  • Residency
    Applicants must be a resident of New York State in either Albany, Rensselaer, Columbia, Greene, Schoharie, Schenectady or Saratoga County for at least (4) four months prior to the date of examination. New York State Civil Service Law Section 23, Subdivision 4-A, allows the Town of Colonie to give preference in appointment to Town Residents.

Ready to apply?

Download Civil Service Employment Application

Download application

Check current announcements

View exam announcements
Need to know

Colonie officers are trained at the Zone 5 Law Enforcement Training Center in Schenectady, NY. The 24-week program includes instruction on various laws, procedures, firearms, defensive tactics, and emergency vehicle operations. After completion of the academy, officers begin a 5 month in-service training program under the guidance of a field training officer.

How does the Police Officer recruitment process work?

For Colonie Police candidates interested in the process involved in becoming a police officer, click here.


Become a Public Safety Dispatcher

Public Safety Dispatcher candidates are required to take a New York State written civil service examination, which is administered by the Town of Colonie Civil Service Department. The starting salary for this position is $46,633. The salary after 5 years is $65,666.

Minimum Qualifications
  • Graduation from high school
    AND
  • One (1) year of experience involving large volume of public contact
    AND
  • Appropriate keyboarding skills
Keep in mind

Satisfactory completion of training school is required prior to end of probation period. Possession and maintenance of certification in NYSPIN terminal operation and Emergency Medical dispatching is required prior to the end of probation period.

Would you like to take a tour of the Communications Center?

For tours of the Communications Center, or if you have any other questions, please contact (518) 783-2811.

Ready to apply?

Download Civil Service Employment Application

Download application

Check current announcements

View exam announcements