The former Cazenovia College will be leased by the New York State Police for its new Auxiliary Academy. Governor Kathy Hochul secured more than $66 million in the Fiscal Year 2024 Enacted Budget to fund two additional State Police classes.
“With this additional auxiliary academy at Cazenovia College, we can help ensure that the New York State Police is fully staffed with highly trained women and men to keep New Yorkers safe – a top priority for my administration,” Governor Hochul said. “This expansion will also create opportunities for more candidates, which will support the State Police’s mission to diversify and grow its ranks. We’re excited to welcome the academy’s first class in October as they prepare to serve our communities.”
The leased space at Cazenovia College will be able to accommodate up to 275 recruits and 115 instructors. The firearms training and Emergency Vehicle Operations Courses (EVOC) will continue to be held offsite at the locations that are presently used. The first Basic School Class at the Cazenovia auxiliary academy is scheduled to start in October of 2023. The college announced back in December it would not enroll any additional students following the Spring 23 semester.
According to the state, this expansion will accelerate the rebuilding of the force and increase the number of Troopers on staff. This initiative will allow the State Police to increase the number of Community Stabilization Units around the state from 16 to 25. It will also bolster trooper participation in local and federal task forces.
Acting New York State Police Superintendent Steven A. Nigrelli said, “This auxiliary academy is vital to our efforts in growing our ranks and training the most qualified candidates possible to protect the people of New York State. We have traveled across the state over the last seven months and explored multiple locations, and we feel the Cazenovia College campus provides a central location within New York and is best suited to meet the needs of our Basic School training. We thank Governor Hochul for her continued support and unprecedented investment in initiatives like this that strengthen our public safety efforts.”
Candidates can learn about becoming a New York State Trooper and sign up to take the exam at joinstatepolice.ny.gov.
Applications for the New York State Trooper entrance exam opened on July 1, 2023, and individuals can apply to take the exam through October 1, 2023. The exam is being administered online at authorized testing centers to make the exam more accessible.
