Protecting New Jersey isn’t just a job. It’s a calling. It means being responsible for maintaining order and enforcing the law.
If you feel you have a calling in law, whether as your first career or looking for a career change, you might consider becoming a police officer in New Jersey.
However, it’s not a matter of just walking to a police station and becoming an officer. You will require training and education.
Let’s explore things to consider when becoming a police officer in New Jersey.
Understanding police officer duties
Police officers act as the face of the U.S criminal Justice system. They get employed either at the state, federal, or local level.
In New Jersey, a police officer works at the local/state level.
Police officers have many duties that range from enforcing laws and apprehending criminals. Other major responsibilities include:
- Patrolling their assigned areas
- Writing reports
- Testifying in courts
- Keeping case records and dealing with New Jersey criminal lawyers
- Chemical and graphology analysis
- Firearms training
Other special units include
- Harbor patrols
- Canine divisions
- Bicycle, motorcycle, and horseback units
- Emergency response teams
Things to consider before joining New Jersey Police Force
- New Jersey police officer classifications
In New Jersey, officers are classified into different categories, and they include:
- Investigators
- Police officers
- Special police officers (class one and two)
- County corrections officers
- State corrections officers
- Juvenile detention officers
- Juvenile correction officers
Each of the above classifications requires different training, which is specifically designed to cater to the function and performance of the role.
For example, officers (special group) are authorized to issue summons, perform routine traffic control, details, and other similar duties for class one. However, class one officers don’t carry firearms. Consequently, they are not assigned to duties that require them to carry firearms.
On the other hand, class two officers (special group) can exercise all duties and powers of a regular and permanent police officer. Additionally, they can carry guns when engaging in their official duties.
- General qualifications
New Jersey law has a set of basic requirements that individuals need to qualify for to apply as a law enforcement officer. In general, no individual can be appointed to a police department unless they are;
- A United States citizen and a New Jersey resident
- Are of good health and sound mind. This means passing a psychiatric and medical examination administered by the New Jersey appointing authority.
- Possess a valid New Jersey driver’s license.
- Be able to speak, write and read the English language intelligently and clearly.
- Have not been convicted of a criminal offense.
- Should be 18 years and above on the date of undertaking their written examination and not be over 35 years of age during graduation.
- Have a bachelor’s degree or 60 semester college hours or an associate’s degree plus military experience, or two years of pleasing employment.
- The applicant should have sound moral character and a good reputation.
- The selection process
The New Jersey police officer selection process includes;
- Registration: This is the first step, and it is completed online during the police enrollment period through www.policeapp.com
- Written Examination: It’s usually conducted by the New Jersey States Associations of the Chiefs of Police in conjunction with the Local County Police Chief Associations. Registered individuals can check their written examination information from the police website, including time, location, and examination date.
Note: For any individual to move to the next stage of the process, they need to score at least 70 points, and only the top 150 candidates move to the physical fitness agility tests.
- Physical fitness and agility test: the test consists of
- Vertical jumps( minimum of 15″ ”)
- Minimum of 28 one minute sit-ups
- 300-meter run, which should be under 70.1 seconds
- Minimum of 24 one minute push-ups
- 1.5 miles run under 15:55
Note: Failure to establish each of the above minimums will lead to disqualification.
- Interview– This is conducted by the Academy Director and the County Police Chiefs Associations. After successfully passing the testing sequence, the successful candidate proceeds to formal application.
- Formal Application: This includes formally making an application to join the Police Academy.
- Medical Examination :The medical examination includes drug testing and stress test, and submission of medical records. The candidate also undergoes a drug, vision, and psychological examination that includes questions to help determine an individual’s mental ability to handle the other rigors of officers.
Note: If a person is found unfit or fails the psychological and medical exam, the officials may rescind your application to attend the Academy,
- Pre-employment Psychological Evaluation
- Background Investigation
- Police Academy – Once an aspiring police officer completes all the above stages, they undergo rigorous training in an accredited police academy or institution for 24 weeks. During training, you will receive benefits, allowances, and other entitlements. The program consists of both field training (practical) and classroom education (theory or didactic). In New Jersey, the police academy is located in Sea Girt.
- New Jersey Police office salary
In New Jersey, depending on the experience, a police officer’s salary ranges from $ 62,000 to $100,000 a year. Additionally, officers enjoy other benefits including;
- A pension plan and health benefits
- Troopers who work overtime may enjoy extra pay
- Police officers enjoy three personal days and twelve vacation days per year.
Although the cost of living is higher in New Jersey than in many other states, police officers enjoy good pay. In fact, they are the second-highest paid officers nationally.
Conclusion
Well, before committing to becoming a New Jersey police officer, you need to weigh all the factors. A career in law enforcement can be quite demanding and requires commitment and passion.
Keep in mind that dealing with many different kinds of people is one of the major components of police work. So, before making a decision ask yourself, can you handle the emotional demands? Are you positively ready to deal with difficult situations and people?
Becoming a police officer is a fulfilling path that serves your community, and if you are up for it, it’s a career worth pursuing.
Author: Rita Joseph.