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
• Must have a minimum of 60 credits with a 2.0 grade point average from an accredited college at the time of the 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. [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.
• Must reside in NY, NJ, or CT at date of appointment and continue to maintain residence in NY, NJ or CT for the term of employment with the MTAPD.

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

Candidates must apply online to be considered for the MTA Police written examination.  Candidates who meet the qualifications will be included in a random selection process to be considered for the written examination.  There is no guarantee that any candidate will be selected to take the written examination or considered for any of the other steps in the process. If selected for the written examination, all candidates ages will be reassessed to confirm they meet the eligibility requirements listed.  If a randomly selected candidate meets the requirements, they will receive instructions with providing the non-refundable application fee in the amount of $40.00

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 $40,835 annually.

• Upon completing five years of service, the top pay is $84,011 annually. Future rates of pay are subject to collective bargaining.
• Competitive salary paid weekly
• Comprehensive benefits package
• Transportation benefits
• 401K & 457 deferred compensation plans
• Tuition reimbursement
• Comprehensive sick leave benefits
• 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.

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.