What to Expect at the NYPD Police Academy

What Can I Expect at the NYPD Police Academy?

What Can You Expect?

After completing and passing the various components of the New York Police Department (NYPD) application process, candidates proceed to do training with the NYPD Police Academy. The academy provides both uniformed and civilian candidates with academic and physical training to ensure they enter the department fully prepared. Our offices wanted to discuss what to expect once at the NYPD Police Academy so that candidates can enter feeling prepared and ready for the work ahead.

How Long Does the NYPD Police Academy Take?

The NYPD Police Academy is one of the most lengthy and arduous academies in the country, which makes sense when considering it is the largest police department in the nation, and responsible for the health and safety of an estimated nine million New Yorker residents plus millions of tourists and visitors each year.

The NYPD Police Academy is a training program that takes six months to complete. During these six months, candidates complete 913 hours of training.

What Is Covered at the NYPD Police Academy?

As mentioned above, the academy concerns itself with preparing candidates with academic and physical training, but how is the time used? Of the 913 hours of training:

269 of these hours are used for academic training
150 hours on tactical training (previously referred to as physical training)
105 hours on firearm training
28 hours on driver training
361 hours are used for additional add-on training and presentations

What Does Academic Training Entail?

During the 269 hours of academic training, various areas of study are covered. The main areas of focus for this training include enforcement of the New York State penal and vehicle traffic laws. It also contains the provisions of the First, Fourth, Fifth, and Fourteenth Amendments. The academic portions also include training on, but are not limited to:

Crisis intervention
Proper responses to individuals with mental health and substance abuse issues
Proper investigation of domestic abuse
Assisting victims of crime
Preservation of crime scenes
Response and investigation of vehicle collisions and building collapses
Organizing searches for missing individuals

What Does Tactical Training Entail?

Tactical training is done to ensure candidates are fit to complete the physical demands of the position. This training includes, but is not limited to:

Calisthenics
Defensive tactics
Straight baton
Expandable baton
Frisking and cuffing
First aid
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
Water safety skills

What Does Firearm Training Entail?

Firearm training consists of 105 hours to ensure that candidates know how and when to utilize their firearms safely.

What Does Driver Training Entail?

The 28 hours of driver training prepares candidates to operate NYPD vehicles. It consists of 31 different courses designed to train candidates to operate 20 various vehicles safely.

Additional Training

Additional training is completed to ensure that once candidates enter the force, they are capable and prepared to handle various situations and hazards that may arise on the job.

Entering the NYPD Police Academy

To qualify for the NYPD Police Academy, applicants must complete and pass several exams, as well as medical, character, and psychological screenings. Our offices can assist candidates who were disqualified due to medical, character, or psychological reasons.

For nearly two decades, our disqualification appeals attorney, Robert B. Kronenberg, has represented law enforcement candidates wrongfully disqualified. If you, or someone you know, has received a disqualification letter from the NYPD or Nassau County Police Department, contact us today to begin your appeal process.