For those interested in a job with the New York State Department of Correctional Services, there is information online regarding the psychological screening program for correction officer trainee candidates which covers an overview of the screening program, lists the psychological tests administered, and explains the rating system. It also provides a breakdown of the number of people tested, number of disqualifications, number of appeals, and number of disqualifications that were overturned.

As a New York Civil Service Law Attorney with more than 19 years of experience, I can help you with your NYPD, FDNY, NYC Department of Sanitation, NYC Department of Corrections or DCAS, NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services disqualification appeal.

Law Office of Kevin P. Sheerin

If you have questions about your disqualification and would like to schedule a free consultation, please feel free to contact me at 516 248 0040.

Email: kevin@sheerinlaw.com

Website: www.sheerinlaw.com

Blog: civilservice.sheerinlaw.com

Facebook: Law_Office_of Kevin_P._Sheerin

Twitter: @DQLawyer

Podcast: www.newyorkcivilservicelawattorneypodcast.com

“Can candidates who have had psychotherapy in the past be NYPD Police Officers?”

How do you know if your psychologist received your documents?

Candidates should first email their psychologist to see if they have received the documentation, and allow at least 5 business days to get a response. If a Candidate does not get a response they can call Candidate Relations Monday – Friday 7:00am to 6:00pm at 718-312-4226, and select option 3.

For further information regarding this matter please click the link: https://www.nyc.gov/site/nypd/careers/police-officers/faqs-hiring-pos.page#psy

If you failed your psychological evaluation or have been disqualified for any other reason and would like to schedule a free consultation, please contact Kevin Sheerin at 516 248 0040.

Email: kevin@sheerinlaw.com

Website: www.sheerinlaw.com

Blog: civilservice.sheerinlaw.com

Facebook: Law_Office_of Kevin_P._Sheerin

Twitter: @DQLawyer

Podcast: www.newyorkcivilservicelawattorneypodcast.com

“Can candidates who have had psychotherapy in the past be NYPD Police Officers?”

What psychological history will prevent me from being hired by the NYPD?

The NYPD does not automatically disqualify a candidate for having received counseling or some other form of mental health treatment. However, they will carefully review the facts in connection with a candidate’s mental health history and consider each and every detail of a candidate’s history on a case by case basis.

If a candidate does have a history of mental health problems, they should be prepared to thoroughly answer any and all questions about their psychological past, including their mental health diagnoses and their past or current treatment(s) (including any therapy they underwent and/or medications they were prescribed). Candidates should be ready, willing and able to provide all of the details in connection with the circumstances and symptoms regarding their mental health history, and how these circumstances and symptoms have affected the candidate both currently and in the past.

For further information regarding this matter please click on the link below: https://www.nyc.gov/site/nypd/careers/police-officers/faqs-hiring-pos.page#psy

If you failed your psychological evaluation or have been disqualified for any other reason and would like to schedule a free consultation, please contact Kevin Sheerin at 516 248 0040.

Email: kevin@sheerinlaw.com

Website: www.sheerinlaw.com

Blog: civilservice.sheerinlaw.com

Facebook: Law_Office_of Kevin_P._Sheerin

Twitter: @DQLawyer

Podcast: www.newyorkcivilservicelawattorneypodcast.com

“Can candidates who have had psychotherapy in the past be NYPD Police Officers?”

If I am on anti-depressants will this prevent me from being hired by the NYPD?

The NYPD does not automatically disqualify a candidate from being hired as a police officer simply because they have taken certain medications. However, like psychotherapy, a candidate’s use of any medication will be carefully assessed and closely evaluated by the NYPD. They will want to know and fully understand the reasons why an applicant was prescribed the medication, the symptoms the medication was meant to address, how the candidate did while on the medication, and how long the candidate was taking the medication. As always, candidates should be fully prepared to disclose the name of the medication, as well as the dosage and length of time if was prescribed.

For further information regarding this matter please click on the link below:
https://www.nyc.gov/site/nypd/careers/police-officers/faqs-hiring-pos.page#psy

If you failed your psychological evaluation or have been disqualified for any other reason and would like to schedule a free consultation, please contact Kevin Sheerin at 516 248 0040.

Email: kevin@sheerinlaw.com

Website: www.sheerinlaw.com

Blog: civilservice.sheerinlaw.com

Facebook: Law_Office_of Kevin_P._Sheerin

Twitter: @DQLawyer

Podcast: www.newyorkcivilservicelawattorneypodcast.com

“Can candidates who have had psychotherapy in the past be NYPD Police Officers?”

If I go to therapy/counseling or have been to therapy/counseling in the past, will this prevent me from being hired by the NYPD?

The NYPD does not automatically disqualify a candidate simply because they have, in their past, attended or are currently attending therapy. They take a close look at the individual circumstances for each candidate and assess each applicant based on many factors, including what occurred that led the candidate to seek counseling in the first place. The NYPD then assesses how the candidate’s counseling went, what the focus of the treatment was, and how the candidate is doing since initially seeking therapy. However, the candidate must be prepared to answer any and all questions regarding their counseling, and be ready to discuss the dates they were in therapy, who their provider was, and the circumstances which led them to seek such therapy.

For further information regarding this matter please click on the link below: https://www.nyc.gov/site/nypd/careers/police-officers/faqs-hiring-pos.page#psy

If you failed your psychological evaluation or have been disqualified for any other reason and would like to schedule a free consultation, please contact Kevin Sheerin at 516 248 0040.

Email: kevin@sheerinlaw.com

Website: www.sheerinlaw.com

Blog: civilservice.sheerinlaw.com

Facebook: Law_Office_of Kevin_P._Sheerin

Twitter: @DQLawyer

Podcast: www.newyorkcivilservicelawattorneypodcast.com

“Can candidates who have had psychotherapy in the past be NYPD Police Officers?”

What does the psychological exam entail?

The NYPD Police Officer written exam is long and tedious. You will want to come prepared, as you will be expected to complete a detailed autobiographical questionnaire, answer questions about your current and prior health status and provide extensive information, including objective personality inventory measures.

In addition, you should be prepared for a one-on-one oral interview with a NYPD psychologist who will ask you questions about your educational, employment, psychological, medical and legal history, as well as past and present social relationships. The oral interview will take approximately 1 hour.

There are also steps you can take to help yourself with regard to both for the written testing and oral interview. First and foremost, you should ALWAYS be open, honest, candid with your answers. In addition, come prepared by bringing your resume, transcripts and any and all other relevant documentation you think might be helpful.

For further information regarding this matter please click on the link below: https://www.nyc.gov/site/nypd/careers/police-officers/faqs-hiring-pos.page#psy

If you failed your psychological evaluation or have been disqualified for any other reason and would like to schedule a free consultation, please contact Kevin Sheerin at 516 248 0040.

Email: kevin@sheerinlaw.com

Website: www.sheerinlaw.com

Blog: civilservice.sheerinlaw.com

Facebook: Law_Office_of Kevin_P._Sheerin

Twitter: @DQLawyer

Podcast: www.newyorkcivilservicelawattorneypodcast.com

The vision requirements for becoming a police officer go beyond just correctable eyesight and whether you can wear glasses or contacts. Police Officers can wear glasses or contacts, but there are still some things to consider.
  1. Vision Correction. Vision can be corrected to 20/20, with most departments requiring uncorrected vision be no lower than 20/40. One eye can be as low as 20/200 but not both.
  2. Peripheral Vision. You need to have a normal range in your peripheral vision. It affects reaction times and situational awareness in the field. Both are important if you are to be an effective law enforcement officer.
  3. Color Test. Police Officer candidates also need to take a color-blindness exam, as they must be able to recognize all basic colors.
  4. Depth Perception. Good depth perception is necessary for driving and other police officer related tasks, such as firing a weapon and spatial awareness.

Good vision is essential for any law enforcement officer. You should have your eyesight thoroughly tested before applying for any job in the criminal justice field.

If you have been disqualified due to poor vision, a failed psychological evaluation or any other reason and would like to schedule a free consultation, please contact Kevin Sheerin at 516 248 0040.

Email: kevin@sheerinlaw.com

Website: www.sheerinlaw.com

Blog: civilservice.sheerinlaw.com

Facebook: Law_Office_of Kevin_P._Sheerin

Twitter: @DQLawyer

Podcast: www.newyorkcivilservicelawattorneypodcast.com

Each agency has their own policy regarding drug use including how long ago the drug use was, the type of drug(s), and the amount used. Of course, any current drug abuse is an automatic disqualifier.

Some agencies do not disqualify applicants for prior marijuana use provided that it has not occurred within the past several years. Most agencies remove candidates who have used drugs such as cocaine, hallucinogens, modern designer drugs, heroin, etc.

In most cases the requirement is that a candidate should not have used any drugs for the past few years, and in most departments any prior drug abuse may be a disqualifier. Some departments do not disqualify applicants for limited experimental use. However, that use only applies to certain drugs and during a certain time frame in that persons past.

If you want to apply for a higher position or start work at a federal level, the requirements are generally much stricter.

If you receive a NYPD Disqualification please contact me at 516-248-0040 and we can arrange for a free phone or in-office consultation.

Email: kevin@sheerinlaw.com

Website: www.sheerinlaw.com

Blog: civilservice.sheerinlaw.com

Facebook: Law_Office_of Kevin_P._Sheerin

Twitter: @DQLawyer

Podcast: www.newyorkcivilservicelawattorneypodcast.com

Hearing loss among police officers and military people who use weapons in their line of work is common. It can come from exposure to loud noises which destroy the delicate hair cells of the inner ear. Today there are proven ways to compensate for this deficit through the use of sophisticated hearing technologies. So why would any NYPD officer be banned from using a hearing aid while serving?

For years NYPD required that those applying to be a police officer pass a hearing test without the use of hearing aids. This rule (which is still in effect) has kept qualified candidates, such as former military, from being able to work for the NYPD. This discrimination didn’t just impact those applying for a job, but even those who are already on the job. Police officers who worked in the NYPD were forced to retire or leave if it was known they required a hearing aid, which many do since it is a common occupational hazard. The city does not test the hearing of officers already working, so as long as they do not use hearing aids they will not be found out and forced to retire.

The reasons given by officials for the ban on hearing aids was that they can be knocked off during a scuffle. However, this reason makes little sense since eyeglasses, which are permitted, can also be knocked off. A case was brought against the city’s hearing aid ban which ended with a settlement that lifted the ban on hearing aids.

The easing of restrictions on the use of hearing aids will not only benefit those who brought the case, but the many police officers who have admitted to hearing loss or the need for hearing aids, but would not use them while on duty. This hearing aid rule still applies to candidates trying to become NYPD officers, as this rule requires candidates to pass a hearing test without the use of a hearing aid, although it too is being challenged.

If you receive a NYPD Disqualification please contact me at 516-248-0040 and we can arrange for a free phone or in-office consultation.

Email: kevin@sheerinlaw.com

Website: www.sheerinlaw.com

Blog: civilservice.sheerinlaw.com

Facebook: Law_Office_of Kevin_P._Sheerin

Twitter: @DQLawyer

My podcast about New York State Civil Service Law issues is:
www.newyorkcivilservicelawattorneypodcast.com

Law Office of Kevin P. SheerinThere is some confusion among candidates about whether they must appeal the NYPD psychological review Notice of Proposed Disqualification (NOPD). To clarify: YES, you must appeal a psychological disqualification at the NOPD stage or your appeal will be dismissed. The Psychological Assessment section file may only be reviewed by a licensed health care professional. Your only opportunity to have your Psychological Services Assessment section file reviewed during this administrative process will be at this time. IF YOU DO NOT SUBMIT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION BY THESE DEADLINES, THIS PRELIMINARY DETERMINATION OF PSYCHOLOGICAL UNSUITABILITY WILL BECOME FINAL. YOU WILL NOT HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE YOUR FILE REVIEWED BY A LICENSED HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL DURING THIS ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESS AND YOU WILL RECEIVE NOTIFICATION THAT YOU HAVE BEEN DISQUALIFIED.If you try to begin your appeal at the Notice of Disqualification (NOD) stage, the NYPD Legal Bureau will move to dismiss your appeal for failing to exhaust your administrative remedies and failing to have your psychological file sent to your Mental Health Professional (MHP) at the NOPD stage. Your appeal may be dismissed.

It is imperative that you hire the RIGHT psychologist to represent you in your NYPD Psychological Disqualification appeal. There are crucial steps you must take and questions you must ask before hiring a Mental Health Care Professional to assist you with your appeal. Kevin Sheerin has been a civil service disqualification appeals attorney for more than 19 years, and knows how to appeal a NYPD Psychological Disqualification. Over the years he has helped many clients win their appeal. He can help you too.

If you have questions about your NYPD Psych Disqualification Appeal and would like to schedule a free consultation, please feel free to call Kevin Sheerin at 516 248 0040.

Email: kevin@sheerinlaw.com

Website: www.sheerinlaw.com

Blog: civilservice.sheerinlaw.com

Facebook: Law_Office_of Kevin_P._Sheerin

Twitter: @DQLawyer

Podcast: www.newyorkcivilservicelawattorneypodcast.com