http://www.njjcpd.org/Residents 18-25 Years Old Must Apply Online Before the August 31st Deadline
JERSEY CITY – Mayor Steven M. Fulop, Council President Rolando Lavarro, Jr. and the Public Safety Department are reminding residents they have two weeks left to apply for the state police exam to become a Jersey City police officer and pursue a career of a lifetime while making a positive impact on their community.
Eligible residents have until Wednesday, August 31st to submit online applications to the Civil Service Commission at www.state.nj.us./csc
“Over the last few years we’ve really made an effort to diversify our police department so we can build a force that reflects our community,” said Mayor Fulop. “In preparing for the this exam, we’ve increased outreach to the community and are educating young men and women about the benefits and rewards of a career in law enforcement. This is the next step in strengthening our police force and enhancing public safety.”
Since 2013, the Fulop administration has made an emphasis on hiring more minority officers to better reflect the community they serve, including establishing a recruiting office at the HUB on Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive to focus specifically on minority recruitment and outreach. Over the past two years, the officers assigned to the recruitment office have conducted outreach to places of worship, community groups, high schools, and local non-profit organizations to encourage residents to apply for the exam and to help them meet any of the required prerequisites. The recruitment officers also work with applicants on preparing for the exam and following up once they take the test and throughout the hiring process.
Additionally, the Police Recruitment Office has worked with organizations such as PACO (Puertorriqueños Asociados for Community Organization), the Hispanic American Law Enforcement Association, IMPACT and the Asian-American Law Enforcement Association.
“Jersey City is one of the most diverse cities in the nation and growing our police force to reflect that diversity is a top priority,” said Council President Lavarro. “We hope community organizations, churches and other groups will spread the word about the upcoming exam and the opportunity that a career in law enforcement offers.”
Mayor Fulop hopes to improve on a police force that better reflects the community, and in coordination with Police Chief Phillip Zacche and Director of Public Safety James Shea, time has been spent conducting outreach and educating residents on the importance of public service as well as building relationships with those in the community.
“Becoming a police officer was one of the best decisions of my life and has given me so many opportunities to help others in ways that you don’t really understand until you wear the uniform,” said Police Chief Zacche. “I would suggest to anyone considering a career in law enforcement that they take the test and work hard toward this goal as it will change their lives for the better.”
Under Mayor Fulop, the Police Department has grown from approximately 770 officers to 864 officers, including the three new classes added to the force this summer. In addition, the latest classes of officers hired over the last three years have shown that the mayor’s push for diversity has been successful, with more than 70 percent of the new hires being minorities. By focusing on improving the relationship between the community and the police force, the Fulop administration hopes to further strengthen police and community relations.
Applications must be submitted online at www.state.nj.us/csc by Aug. 31st and the Jersey City Public Libraries, as well as the Public Safety office at the HUB, have computers available for residents who do not have computer access to file their application. To be eligible to apply for the New Jersey police officer’s exam, you must be 18 to 35 years of age and possess a high school diploma (GED or equivalent) and a valid New Jersey driver’s license.
