Career Advancement

As the 7th largest police department in New York State the Schenectady Police Department offers many different opportunities for its police officers to advance their careers

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Choice of shift assignments, platoon work schedules, vacation selections, and most job assignments are done strictly by seniority. Members of the department may bid for many positions during or as soon as they pass the Zone 5 Regional Police Academy.

Promotion to the rank of Sergeant or Detective Sergeant begins after 3 years of service. Second line supervisor promotion opens a year after the rank of Sergeant is obtained.

K9 Handler

The K9 Officer position is open to all patrol officers in Field Services, the Department currently employees three K9 handlers in either Drug Detection/Protection or Explosive Detection/Protection. The department is planning to add an additional K9 positions in the next year

S.O.S./S.O.T. Special Operations Squad/ Sniper Observation Team (SWAT)

Special Operations Squad is open to members of the department whom demonstrate, pass and exceed State and Department standards. This position is in addition to normal Police Department duties and is not just specific to Field Services (Patrol). Members of S.O.S. and S.O.T. receive additional training in various specialized situations.

Motors/Traffic Officer

The Traffic Division is a specialized division of Field Services. Officers assigned to the Traffic Division have the opportunity to attend Advanced Crash/Reconstruction Investigation Schools, become a D.R.E., a motorcycle/atv operator, or DOT inspector for the department. Officers assigned here primarily respond to and investigate Traffic related matters for the City.

Sergeant

After 3 years as a Police Officer, Officers can apply and test for the position of Sergeant. Sergeants as first line supervisors are responsible for overseeing patrol officers or detectives assigned to their same shifts. The department has various specialized Sergeants in addition to those assigned directly to Field Services as Patrol Sergeants or those assigned to Investigative Services as Detective Sergeants. Sergeant is also the first level of supervisor for advancement into the Department's administration.

Evidence Technician (E.T.)

Evidence Technicians are members of the department that report to Investigative Services and are responsible for responding to and processing of evidence at various police calls and at the Schenectady Police Headquarters. The department normally staffs a minimum of four Evidence Technicians and a supervisor whom share 24/7/365 coverage for the department and have assigned take home vehicles with specialized tools to assist in completing their mission.

Detective

Detectives are Officers whom are assigned to Investigative Services and whom are assigned to handled crimes which require follow up or which require more time and attention. Detectives attend advanced training in various topics which can include interview techniques, arson, homicide, and special victims investigation. Detectives may also be assigned either part time or full time on various Task Forces with local, state, federal or joint agencies.

Training Division

The Training Division consists of members of the department whom are assigned on a both full time and part time basis. The Division is responsible for overseeing all aspects of training for the department from the basic academy to in-service training, firearms qualification, and annual updates. Members of the Schenectady Training Division are frequently also traveling to assist other agencies throughout this State and have assisted in developing and rolling out training that has been implemented throughout New York.

Professional Standards

A Division of Administrative Services, Professional Standards are department members tasked with conducting investigations into the operation of the whole Police Department. Members are assigned the task of leading much of the departmental hiring both sworn and non-sworn and can be assigned to assist with investigations and background work for other City Departments.

Technology Unit

A Division of Administrative Services, The Technology Unit is staffed by sworn members of the Department whom are trained to handle/administer many of the information technology tools in law enforcement, as well as assist the City in its Smart City projects. Body Worn Cameras, Department Issued Smart Phones/Mobile Data Terminals, Computer Forensics, the Cities over 200 plus neighborhood/traffic/license plate surveillance cameras, are just some of the multiple tools that fall under the Technology Unit