Employment
The Orchard Park Police Department hires police officers and public safety dispatchers. Both of these are civil service positions and require the completion of a civil service examination.
Public Safety Dispatchers
A Public Safety Dispatcher is a highly responsible and challenging position. It involves answering emergency 911 calls and non-emergency phone lines and operating a radio and related communication equipment to efficiently relay information and dispatch personnel and equipment used to protect life and property.
Dispatchers coordinate calls for service between the public and police, fire department, ambulance, and other appropriate departments. Dispatchers operate multiple computer terminals simultaneously to enter and retrieve information and relay the same as needed.
Just like Police Officers, Public Safety Dispatchers are Civil Service employees that need to have passed, and ranked high on, a competitive civil service examination. Public Safety Dispatchers follow similar civil service guidelines for test eligibility and follow-up testing (excluding physical agility) as police officers. Field Training is a minimum of 12 weeks of on-the-job training with a Certified Field Trainer Public Safety Dispatcher.
Police Officers
All police officers in Erie County and most in New York State are Civil Service employees that need to have passed and ranked high on, a competitive civil service examination for Police Officer/Deputy Sheriff-Criminal. There are minimum age and education requirements to take this test. Once this test is passed you will then be ranked based on score. There are a number of additional tests that you must pass after this test.
The standards for the Orchard Park Police Department meet, and in most cases, exceed the requirements established by the New York State Municipal Police Training Council for entry-level police officers. Some of the requirements may differ with each municipality. The Erie County Department of Personnel has the exact requirements for each municipality you may be interested in.
Basic Requirements
Police Officer applicants must be residents of the Town of Orchard Park at the time of the written test and at the date of appointment. You must be at least 19 years old at the time of the test and at least 21 years old at the time of your appointment. All applicants must also have completed at least 60 credit hours of college with a minimum GPA of 2.0.
The maximum age for taking the test is 35 years old unless you request an extension for military service. To see if you are eligible for this extension contact the Erie County Department of Personnel.
Follow-Up Testing
Upon successful completion of the written test, applicants are sent for a physical agility test. The physical agility requirements for successfully passing this portion of the testing process are based on standards set by the New York State Municipal Training Council.
| Males | Age 20-29 | Age 30-39 | Females | Age 20-29 | Age 30-39 |
| 1.5 Mile Run | 12:29 | 12:53 | 1.5 Mile Run | 15:05 | 15:56 |
| Push-ups (In 1 Minute) |
29 | 24 | Push-ups (In 1 Minute) |
15 | 11 |
| Sit-ups (In 1 Minute) |
38 | 35 | Sit-ups (In 1 Minute) |
32 | 25 |
These requirements are vigorous and challenging. It is safe to say that you should be in good physical shape if you intend on becoming a police officer as the testing at this point is strenuous.
When openings become available, the candidates are canvassed for the position. Medical testing, drug screening, credit check, in-depth background checks into employment, family and friends, social media, and much more, as well as psychological examinations, are performed to determine fitness for duty.
| Males | Age 20-29 | Age 30-39 |
| 1.5 Mile Run | 12:29 | 12:53 |
| Push-ups (In 1 Minute) |
29 | 24 |
| Sit-ups (In 1 Minute) |
38 | 35 |
| Females | Age 20-29 | Age 30-39 |
| 1.5 Mile Run | 15:05 | 15:56 |
| Push-ups (In 1 Minute) |
15 | 11 |
| Sit-ups (In 1 Minute) |
32 | 25 |
These requirements are vigorous and challenging. It is safe to say that you should be in good physical shape if you intend on becoming a police officer as the testing at this point is strenuous.
When openings become available, the candidates are canvassed for the position. Medical testing, drug screening, credit check, in-depth background checks into employment, family and friends, social media, and much more, as well as psychological examinations, are performed to determine fitness for duty.
Basic Training
Individuals hired by the Town of Orchard Park Police Department as Police Officers must go through a probationary period of 18 months. During that time the new officers receive basic police training through the Erie County Central Police Services Training Academy. This Academy includes courses on all NYS laws including Criminal Procedure, Vehicle and Traffic, Penal, agriculture and markets, conservation, and case law. It also includes hands-on training in Defensive Tactics, emergency vehicle operation, E.M.S., Firearms, and much more.
Officers that fail any portion of this course are dismissed from the department. Once schooling is completed, the new officer works in a field training capacity in our department with a certified New York State field training officer for a minimum of 12 weeks. Upon successful completion of this training, the officer will be assigned normal patrol duties and responsibilities. At any time during the probationary period, the new officer may be dismissed from the department for failure to carry out their responsibilities.
General Information / Resources
The position of police officer and Public Safety Dispatcher is open to both males and females. The Town of Orchard Park follows all the appropriate laws and standards established by the State of New York and the United States to guard against discrimination for any reason.
Applicants are not discriminated against for any reason including race, gender, or religion. For more information, visit the Erie County Civil Service website.