Mayor Adams Expands School Safety Program With Creation of 400 New Jobs as Assistant School Safety Agents

New York City has officially approved an amendment to the classified service within the New York City Police Department, introducing a new job title of Assistant School Safety Agent. 

This newly established non-managerial position falls under the Non-Competitive Class, meaning it does not require a competitive examination for appointment. 

A total of 400 positions have been authorized, though the salary range is yet to be determined. 

The Department of Citywide Administrative Services has announced a virtual public hearing to be hosted by the NYPD. 

Scheduled for Wednesday, May 8th, at 10:00 AM on Microsoft Teams, this hearing will focus on a proposed amendment to the Classified Service of the City of New York. 

Stakeholders and public members are invited to join the online forum to discuss and provide input on the city’s administrative structure changes. 

Assistant School Safety Agents will work alongside School Safety Agents to protect New York City schools and grounds against trespassers and unlawful activities. 

The agents will also call for medical, police, or fire department assistance. 

The school safety program was initiated by Mayor Eric Adams last year to address the rising concern over violence at city schools. 

According to city data, nearly 7,000 weapons were confiscated in public schools last year, an almost 160% increase compared with the 2018-19 school year. 

Adams, in a statement last year, said, “The program is an excellent program with the school safety agents because we’re having a problem of retention with School Safety Agents.”

As part of the hiring process, Assistant School Safety Agent candidates will undergo comprehensive physical, medical, and psychological screenings, including mandatory drug tests. 

Once appointed, these agents will be placed on a probationary period throughout their tenure, which cannot exceed four years. 

Incumbents who demonstrate satisfactory work performance as Assistant School Safety Agents are encouraged to advance their careers by taking the promotional examination for the role of School Safety Agent.