NEW YORK — A proposal in the New York City Council would raise the maximum NYPD application age to 43, PIX 11 reported.
The bill raises the application age from the previous maximum of 35. The bill also includes exemptions for veterans who could remove up to six years from their effective age to apply, according to PIX 11. The current pension structure would remain intact.
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“Raising the maximum examination age to bolster the NYPD’s broader recruitment efforts expands access to a stable public-service career and allows the City to consider a wider pool of qualified candidates,” said council member Amanda Farias, who proposed the change.
The bill aligns with a similar state law passed in September 2025, raising the maximum law enforcement exam age to 43 for all law enforcement in the state.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch voiced support for the legislation as the NYPD seeks to increase its ranks by about 1,200 officers to reach its budgeted headcount of 35,000.
After the NYPD lowered its college education requirements from 60 credits to 24 in 2025, the number of daily applications increased by 579%, PIX 11 reported. The agency also decreased its minimum applicant age from 21 to 20.5 years old.
Should police departments raise the maximum hiring age to address staffing shortages? Why or why not?
