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It's the largest municipal police department on Long Island; 119 sworn officers. I believe you are correct in that they hire off the NCPD list but I also believe one must have village residency in order to be hired - this is the case with most LE agencies on LI; especially on the town and village level. Even the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office requires county residency.
Hempstead uses the Nassau County Civil Service list, as do all of the villages and the county, for their police hiring. Most villages (and Nassau County) do not require residency for appointment. Salaries are comparable to Nassau County and new hires are trained at the Nassau County Police Department Academy. As far as activity goes, Hempstead has a high crime rate and its officers are busy most of the time.
The civil service exam for police officers is given periodically and sporadically, typically every 4 years or so. Hiring is strictly from the civil service list and successful completion of physical and medical fitness exams, psychological exams and background checks. (Only about 1 in 10 who take a test actually are offered a job.) Check with Nassau County civil service for more information.
I believe if you are a resident you receive preferance. I could be wrong also. Out of Freeport, Hempstead, Glen Cove which has the highest crime.
I'm not sure if the villages will give preference to residents in hiring. They do have some flexibility in choosing people off the list.
In terms of crime rates, I'd say it would be Hempstead, Freeport, Glen Cove ... in that order. All in all, Hempstead has a pretty good department, respected within the law enforcement community in Nassau.
Most villages in Suffolk and Nassau county use their respective civil service lists because it's easier. They don't have to follow civil service law so they can pick and choose who they want off the list, regardless of score or list rank. The town and village PD's almost always give preference to residents, but even still, you usually need one heck of a hook to get picked up. They are great jobs, and the salaries are very comparable to the county.
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