Hiring process is pretty long. You must take the Civil Service test first. Once you are ranked they will call you in for an interview as soon as they get to your name on the list. After the interview in which you meet with administration staff (chief, assistant Superintend, Supervisors) they conduct a background check. If you pass your background check you are sent to take the psychological test. The Psych test was the most difficult part for me as it requires you to answer about 1000 questions and meet with a psychologist to talk about your past. If you pass that part you basically are in unless something comes out seriously wrong during your physical (eye test, drug test chest x-ray, etc). 6months to a year after starting the job you are sent to the academy which you must pass in order to keep your job.