ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)-- With police departments across the state struggling with recruitment, two competing bills are working their way through the legislature that could increase the pot of candidates.
Right now the maximum age limit to take the civil service exam to become a police officer is 35. If Republican Senator George Borrello has his way, there would be no maximum age limit.
"There is a crisis level of lack of recruiting and retaining. So we need something to address that and this would absolutely be a start," said Borrello.
He’s sponsoring a bill to eliminate the maximum age limit, but not weaken other requirements.
"We aren’t looking to bend any other rules, if you will," explained Borrello. "You still have to meet whatever physical requirements that there are to be a police officer. This would just eliminate what is really an arbitrary age limit."
Democratic Sheriff, Craig Apple, is in favor of changing the age limit but supports a different bill that would raise it from 35 to 40 instead.
"I know that there is probably people out there that are saying, well I’m 50-55 and I’m in great shape, you are. You are in great shape today, but you’re going to have to do a minimum of 20-25 years," said Apple. "Do you think you will be in the same shape when you’re 70 as opposed to the fella next door at 40 working? I think we should proceed with a little bit of caution on it."
Both bills are currently in committee with hopes they will be taken up in the next legislative session.
In the meantime, Sheriff Apple encourages those thinking about becoming a police officer to take the test.
"The sign up is still active. Whether it’s the sheriff's office or local police departments or state police, whatever, I would encourage you to take the test and see how you do and you won’t regret it."
