N.Y. Second Class Cities Law § 135: Membership

§ 135. Membership. No person shall be appointed to membership in the

police or fire departments of the city, or continue to hold membership

therein, who is not a citizen of good moral character, who has ever been

convicted of a felony, who can not understandingly read and write the

English language, and who shall not have resided in the city during the

two years next preceding his appointment. The commissioner shall make

all appointments, promotions and changes of status of the officers and

members of the police and fire departments in accordance with the

provisions of the civil service law of the state, except as otherwise

provided herein. In making promotions, seniority and meritorious service

in the department, as well as superior capacity, as shown by competitive

examination, shall be taken into account. Individual acts of bravery may

be treated as acts of meritorious service, and the relative weight

therefor shall be fixed by the municipal civil service commission. No

member of the police or fire departments shall hold any other office nor

be employed in any other department of the city government.