The New York State Police are promoting their trooper entrance exam as a way to recruit more people on to the force, and hope recent changes to the testing process attract diverse candidates.

“Is there racism in the community? Yes," said Trooper Steven Nevel, State Police public information officer. "Have I experienced it on this job? One hundred percent, no I have not. If I had, I would tell you.”

Nevel was spreading the word about new times and locations for the entrance exam. State Police brass hope a new, more flexible testing process — and high salaries — draw applicants from diverse backgrounds.

Presently, out of more than 4,600 members of the agency, only 4% are Black.

“We offer excellent pay, full retirement and benefits and the paths you can take within this job are endless,” said Major Paul DeQuarto, New York State Police Troop F commander.

Even with those incentives, there appear to be challenges to recruiting Black candidates. But Nevel said they're still working to diversify the force.

Asked if it's harder to recruit Black people, Nevel said, “I can’t say it’s harder. We have to find a way to get into communities to show people … the sign of the times.”

He said he wants the community to know the agency is evolving.

“Has there always been a good ole boy culture? Of course, there has. But it’s changing, and diversity is changing that," Nevel said. "The different applicants we’re getting in aren’t part of that old-school, good ole boy culture. From what I’m starting to see, especially with our younger troopers coming in, I like you for you. I don’t like you for you.”

Nevel said he doesn't want anyone's bad experiences with police to affect their view of today's State Police force. He said as State Troopers continue to stay above the fray on social media and real life, more people are going to give the exam a shot.

“We’re a completely different agency," Nevel said. "We represent ourselves differently. You can see now, we come from all walks of life. We don’t represent all law enforcement agencies. We represent New York State Police.”