MTA Police

Prepare for the MTA Police recruitment process with tailor-made practice materials.

Careers at the MTA

The Military Transportation Authority (MTA) is a specialized law enforcement agency responsible for ensuring the safety and security of New York City's transit systems, including subways, buses, and commuter rails.

The purpose of the MTA is to ensure that citizens can travel safely on the railways that serve Staten Island, Metro-North, and LIRR. This includes ensuring the railway infrastructure remains intact and the patrolling and security of stations on the railways.

The agency employs over 1200 officers, and their remit covers 14 counties in nine districts across New York and Connecticut.

Careers in the MTA police cover a variety of specialties, such as:

  • Law enforcement (police officers, detectives)
  • Patrol officers
  • Branch officers
  • Emergency communications operators

Representatives of the MTA police also work in specialist police agencies such as

  • Highway Unit
  • Computer Crimes
  • Detective agencies
  • Homeless assistant unit.

MTA Police Application Process

The application process for the MTA Police is highly competitive, but it's worth it for those committed to serving and protecting New York City's transit systems.

The process includes multiple stages designed to evaluate candidates' critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

Additional stages include a physical fitness test, an agility test, and a comprehensive background check. Candidates must also pass a medical examination and a psychological evaluation before any offer is made.

MTA Police Online Application

All applicants for positions with the MTA police must complete an online application form through the MTA online jobs portal.

The MTA Police online application form is a comprehensive questionnaire that seeks to gather as much information as possible about the candidate's background and qualifications. It is divided into several sections, including personal information, education, employment history, and military service.

Individuals who have served in the military must also provide information about their branch of service, rank, and dates of service, including a copy of their certificate of release or discharge from active duty (DD-214).

When completing the application form, it is important to be thorough, as the MTA Police Department conducts a thorough background investigation to ensure the integrity and character of its officers.

MTA Police Psychometric Tests

The MTA police exam is a paper-based assessment designed to test a wide range of cognitive abilities, including problem-solving, spatial awareness, and decision-making.

The test is split into different sections, each designed to evaluate different skills and abilities.

MTA Police Written Examination

The MTA Police written examination is a comprehensive multiple-choice test that assesses a candidate's knowledge, skills, and abilities in various areas.

There are two types of MTA police written examination. The specific examination an individual sits depends on the type of role applied for.

Section one of the exam lasts approximately one and a half hours and assesses candidates on their numerical reasoning ability, reading and writing skills, and problem-solving abilities.

Lasting approximately five hours and comprising 200 questions, section two of the MTA police examination evaluates candidates in multiple areas including numerical reasoning ability, problem-solving skills, spatial reasoning, and memory retention.

Questions in this section may include puzzles, math problems, and pattern recognition exercises and are assessed in different sections.

MTA numerical reasoning test

The math section of the MTA Police written exam evaluates a candidate's ability to solve basic arithmetic problems, interpret graphs and charts, and apply mathematical concepts to situations they may face when in the role.

MTA reasoning and problem-solving

The reasoning and problem-solving exam assesses a candidate's critical thinking skills.

Questions are given in the form of abstract information. Candidates must analyze the data provided, identify patterns between the data, and draw conclusions to select which of the multiple-choice answers given is correct.

MTA memory and visualization test

The memory and visualization section of the MTA Police written exam evaluates a candidate's ability to recall information.

Questions are presented in different abstract formats, requiring candidates to visualize spatial relationships and interpret visual representations to identify which options correctly answer the question.

MTA language skills test

The language skills section of the exam assesses a candidate's ability to read and comprehend written material, as well as their ability to communicate effectively in both written and oral formats.

MTA situational judgment

The situational judgment test evaluates a candidate's ability to assess complex situations, make sound decisions, and take appropriate action when under pressure. The test takes the form of a series of scenarios that candidates will likely encounter when in a role, along with a series of statements.

Candidates must select which of the statements best represents the way they would react to behave in the given situation.

MTA physical, medical, and psychological tests

In addition to the written exam, candidates must also pass a physical agility test, a medical evaluation, a psychological evaluation, and a thorough background investigation before being hired as MTA Police officers.

MTA panel Interview

Candidates who pass the MTA police exam are invited to attend a panel interview, the final step before an offer of employment is made.

The interview is conducted by a panel of experienced law enforcement professionals, including MTA Police officers, sergeants, and lieutenants.

During the panel interview, candidates are asked questions to assess their judgment, problem-solving abilities, communication skills, and suitability for the position. The panel also evaluates the candidate's confidence and ability to remain calm under pressure.

Candidates must outline their experience, education, and training to demonstrate their suitability for the position. In addition, individuals must use their past experiences to answer scenario-based questions to highlight their skills and competencies as necessary for the role.

Tips To Get Hired At The MTA Police

The MTA Police assessment process is designed to be challenging. To ensure you perform at your best in the assessments, it is essential to prepare thoroughly.

1) Practice aptitude tests

Before sitting the MTA police exam, it is vital to practice aptitude tests. Practicing the ability tests ensures you are familiar with the types of questions you may get asked in the actual test.

2) Do your research

To prepare for the MTA Police Panel interview, candidates should review the MTA Police Department's mission statement, organizational structure, and policies. Candidates should also familiarize themselves with the job duties and responsibilities of an MTA Police Officer and become familiar with law enforcement terminology and procedures.

3) Be confident

As an MTA police officer, you'll need to communicate effectively with passengers, coworkers, and other law enforcement agencies. During the hiring process, demonstrate your communication skills by speaking clearly, listening actively, and providing thoughtful responses.

4) Show your commitment to public service

MTA police officers play a vital role in ensuring the safety and security of the public. During the hiring process, emphasize your commitment to public service and your desire to make a positive impact in your community.

5) Refresh your memory on principles or concepts

Make sure you refresh your memory on any mathematical principles or concepts that you will use in the math section of the MTA police exam. Hone your problem-solving, visualization, and abstract reasoning skills by practicing puzzles or doing crosswords.

Sample MTA Police question Test your knowledge!

Score: /5

If the pattern of traffic flow at a subway turnstile over 5 consecutive intervals is 50, 100, 200, and 400 entries, which of the following would fit the pattern for the next interval?

  • 800
  • 500
  • 600
  • 700

A transit ticket machine has a fault which leads to it dispensing 2 tickets for the price of one. If a passenger normally pays $2.75 for one ticket, how much does each ticket effectively cost the passenger due to the fault?

  • $1.37
  • $2.75
  • $5.50
  • $0.92

During a fare inspection on a commuter rail, an officer finds that out of the 120 passengers inspected, 15% do not have a valid ticket. How many passengers were found without a valid ticket?

  • 18
  • 12
  • 15
  • 20

An officer is trying to work out the end-of-shift report. They have resolved a total of 4 incidents during their shift. If the number of incidents follows a pattern doubling every hour, how many incidents were resolved in the third hour?

  • 2
  • 4
  • 1
  • 8

When presented with a sequence of statements regarding safety protocols, which of the following is the logical conclusion? Statement 1: All unattended bags must be reported. Statement 2: Some unattended bags are security risks. Statement 3: Security risks require immediate response.

  • All unattended bags require immediate response.
  • Some security risks do not need to be reported.
  • Reporting unattended bags is not a security protocol.
  • Immediate responses are not needed for unattended bags.

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MTA Police Tips

Understand the Format

Familiarize yourself with the structure of public sector exams. Knowing what to expect can significantly reduce test-day anxiety.

Read Carefully

Read all instructions and questions thoroughly before answering to avoid any careless mistakes.

Time Management

Practice pacing yourself through each section of the practice tests to ensure you can complete the exam within the allotted time.

Practice Makes Perfect

Take advantage of free practice tests on Psychometric Tests to build confidence and improve your performance.

Stay Relaxed

Ensure you get enough rest before the test day and try to stay calm during the exam to maintain a clear mind.

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MTA Police FAQs

What are the MTA Police tests?

MTA Police tests are a series of assessments designed to evaluate a range of abilities relevant to law enforcement duties, including problem-solving, situational judgment, and comprehension skills critical for the role.

Are the MTA Police tests hard?

The difficulty of MTA Police tests can vary from person to person. They are intended to challenge applicants, ensuring candidates have the necessary skills and temperament for the demands of the job.

How do I prepare for MTA Police tests?

Preparing for the MTA Police tests is key, and the best approach is through practice. Psychometric Tests offers numerous practice exams to help you get ready and feel confident in your abilities.

How long does the recruitment process take at MTA Police?

The recruitment process timeline can differ based on numerous factors, but candidates should be prepared for a multi-stage process that may take several weeks or months to complete.

What are MTA Police's core values?

MTA Police's core values center around integrity, professionalism, and a commitment to safeguarding the community while ensuring the smooth operation of the transit system.