New York Consolidated Laws, Town Law - TWN § 152. Promotion

The town board may determine that promotions of officers and members of such police department shall be made by the town board on the basis of seniority, meritorious police service and superior capacity as shown by competitive examination, such examination to be conducted by the appropriate civil service commission.  Individual acts of personal bravery may be treated as an element of meritorious service in such examination.  The town board shall keep a complete service record of each member of such police department in accordance with the rules of the appropriate civil service commission and shall transmit the record of each candidate for promotion to such civil service commission in advance of such examination.