SHARE

Homeowners Coalition Helps Candidates Prepare For Mount Vernon Police Exam

MOUNT VERNON, N.Y. -- The Mount Vernon Police Department and the Westchester County Homeowners’ Coalition have launched a program to help prepare the city’s young men and women for careers in law enforcement.

From left, Deputy Police Commissioner Richard Burke (WCHC), John Boykin (WCHC), Mayor Ernest Davis, Police Commissioner Terrance Raynor, Derickson K. Lawrence, chairman, WCHC, and Rev. Hugh Marriott; chaplain, WCHC.

From left, Deputy Police Commissioner Richard Burke (WCHC), John Boykin (WCHC), Mayor Ernest Davis, Police Commissioner Terrance Raynor, Derickson K. Lawrence, chairman, WCHC, and Rev. Hugh Marriott; chaplain, WCHC.

Photo Credit: Terry Lowens

The program, called Career Opportunities in Public Service, or COPS, helps prepare candidates for the Nov. 14 police officer entrance exam at the Mount Vernon High School. 

The program will meet on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Mount Vernon High School, from Oct. 5 to Nov. 9. The deadline to apply for the test is Tuesday, Sept 22, at Mount Vernon Police headquarters.

“WCHC has worked with the city in the past, and Derickson Lawrence spearheaded our hugely successful gun buyback program. This test prep program’s aim is to address the problem of under-representation of minorities and women on the Mount Vernon police force as well as encourage Mount Vernon residents to consider law enforcement careers within their own community,” said Mayor Ernest D. Davis. “By preparing local young people to excel on the exam, we can increase their potential to be hired to police the city.”

Lawrence, WCHC chair, said he believes in the benefits of community organizations collaborating with the city.

“The community must be involved with policing efforts and having volunteers participate in the instruction of practice exams for potential recruits is a win-win situation when you consider community involvement and savings to the city,” said Lawrence. “Since these efforts typically utilize police personnel, there have been tangible overtime and budget implications, especially since instructions are provided after hours,” he continued.

Jonathan Myer, a founder and driving force behind this initiative in WCHC, said, “This initiative is aimed at producing a police force for Mount Vernon that reflects the community it serves, making the city a safer place and connecting the police force more closely to the community.”

to follow Daily Voice Mount Vernon and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE