For those who've ever dreamed of riding around in one of the shiny, new Dodge Charger police cars on campus, the application deadline to be a University Police officer is Oct. 15, 2007. If hired, students can look forward to the view from the front seat instead of the back.
Interested students need at least 60 credit hours from any college, university or technical school, or 30 hours if they have had two years of active military service. The application, which carries a $30 processing fee, is open to all majors and must be post-marked by Monday, Oct. 15. To be considered for any of the 29 SUNY police offices upstate and downstate, including Spanish-speaking positions, download an application at the New York State Department of Civil Service at www.cs.state.ny.us.
"We want a person with noble qualities, who is ethical and has a good heart," said Lieutenant David Urbanek, a UB police officer who has been on the force for almost 21 years. "We don't want someone that's aggressive. The most important thing is to have a level head."
Accepted applicants in the Western New York area will then take a written exam on Nov. 17 that will test students on subjects like reading comprehension and applying rules and procedures to police situations.
"We're giving people police powers, so we have to be really careful who we put out there," Urbanek said.
The police personnel at schools like SUNY Geneseo, SUNY Stony Brook, and UB offer tentative positions to the top three scores on the test, which could be anywhere from three to 103 applicants. Those who are interested in working at a particular campus then go through an interview process before a panel of judges that includes three officers, a campus representative from an office such as residence life, and at least one student.
"We try to keep it very diverse so everyone has input, not just the cops," Urbanek said. "We can turn to the student on panel and say, 'Is this the kind of person you want policing you?'"
According to Gerald Schoenle, Chief of UB Police, there are now 61 sworn officers on UB's police force, including six new officers. This year, the force is looking to add five new officers before January. People of all ethnic backgrounds are encouraged to apply, as are both males and females.
Before the campus police send a student off to training, he or she must first prove their physical abilities with sit-ups, push-ups and a 1.5-mile run. Urbanek said they lose about half of their possible employees in the fitness test. The survivors are sent to Albany for a test of their mental strength in a psychological exam.
"We have to make sure they're stable and appropriate because of what we're asking them to do," Urbanek said.
Anthony Vinci, a UB police officer since 2005, said he loves coming into work each day but that all officers share a universal fear.
"There's stress - you come into work and you don't know if you'll come home at the end of the night," he said.
The process continues with training at a police academy such as the one in Erie County, where students spend around four months learning the details of New York State laws, the handling of firearms and how to operate those Chargers.
Then field training on campus allows the future officers to participate in the job like an apprentice, accompanying other officers in the field, all the while having their every move evaluated.
"Ultimately, whatever you do would be judged by the public, and that's what people have to realize," Urbanek said.
Brian Horst, who graduated from his field training just last week to become a UB officer, felt the thrill of the job early on in his training.
The series of armed robberies in the beginning of the semester around South Campus prompted Horst and his Field Training Officer to warn residents in the dorms to be cautious. After leaving a floor meeting, the men were approached by a student who said he'd just been robbed off campus.
The copper duo hopped in the car to patrol the region and came upon two men on bikes who fit the description of the thieves. At first sight of the cops, the bikers took off, and a small chase ensued before the criminals, who were responsible for several other robberies, were arrested.
"It's fulfilling when something bad happens and you're able to see it through; to see the justice system at work," Horst said.
A salary of around $42,500 awaits those students who make it to the final step of becoming an officer, but all of the steps together can take as long as a year to complete.
"It's a long, long, long process," Urbanek said.
Despite the lengthy road to becoming an officer, most find it to be worth the wait.
"It's more than chasing kids around with a beer can," Urbanek said.
According to Vinci, becoming a University Police Officer isn't just a temporary position - it becomes a way of life.
"It's a lifestyle; it really changes the person that you are," Vinci said. "If there's something deep inside you - no matter if you're male or female, tall or short - and you want to work with people and help people, then this is something you should do."
Students looking to apply need to have their application postmarked by Monday, Oct. 15. Visit www.cs.state.ny.us to download an application or for more information.
Additional reporting by Mabinty Samura, Staff Writer
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
