The residency requirement contained in the current New Rochelle Police Officer exam announcement was ruled invalid by the New York State Civil Service Commission. According to Robert L. Richardson of the NYS Civil Service Municipal Assistance Unit, the City has a residency requirement contained in its Municipal Code. The rule in the exam announcement, he concluded, does not match the one contained in the City’s Civil Service Rules and Regulations. He advised the City that the “..current examination should be ammended so the residency language in the announcement comported with their rule…”
The City’s residency rules clearly state that test candidates must be residents of the area “…for at least four months prior thereto and at the time of examination…” The rule contained in the Police Officer job announcement however, merely requires candidates to be residents “…at the time of application…” Unlike the codified rule, it fails to require candidates to be residents for any specified period of time.
According to Mr. Richardson, the City can reduce or suspend its residency requirements during times when they experience difficulties with recruitment. However, the New Rochelle Civil Service Commission must gain approval from the State before doing so. No such approval was obtained, Richardson stated.
Moreover, the City’s residency requirements tend to vary from test to test. In some cases they may require candidates to be residents for four months. In others, three months, as was the case in the last firefighter exam. This seemingly arbitrary application of the residency rules runs counter to the contentions of New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson and City Manager Charles Strome III, both of who agree that the rules “…must be applied in an even-handed fashion…”
A complaint has been made to the City Manager but the Police Officer exam announcement has yet to be changed. It is due to close in mid-October 2012.
