All municipal police jobs in the State of New Jersey are obtained using the same process, which is mandated by the New Jersey Civil Service Association.
Top hiring departments in New Jersey include:
- Newark PD
- Jersey City PD
- Paterson PD
- Elizabeth PD
- Edison PD
This guide provides the steps for those interested in learning how to become a cop by meeting police officer requirements in Newark, and all other New Jersey cities
- Meet Minimum Requirements for New Jersey Law Enforcement Jobs
- Identify Upcoming Examination Dates
- File an Application and Take the Law Enforcement Examination (LEE)
- Receive a Place in the Eligible Pool
- Undergo a Background Investigation by the Appointing Authority
- Undergo Medical and Psychological Examinations
- Complete an Approved Police Training Course
Step 1. Meet Minimum Requirements for New Jersey Law Enforcement Jobs
The State of New Jersey Civil Service Commission mandates that all individuals interested in becoming a Police Officer in Jersey City meet specific requirements to qualify to take Law Enforcement Examination (LEE). In particular, you must:
- Be between the ages of 18 and 35 (The maximum age for veterans may be older)
- Hold a high school diploma or a GED
- Hold a valid New Jersey driver’s license
- Be a citizen of the United States
Step 2. Identify Upcoming Examination Dates
Announcements for the Law Enforcement Examination (LEE) are always made on the Civil Service Commission (CSC) website (The next announcement is due to be issued on June 3, 2013.). Entry-level law enforcement positions in New Jersey may include jobs such as: correction officers; police officers; sheriff’s officers; and firefighters, just to name a few.
Step 3. File an Application and Take the Law Enforcement Examination (LEE)
You must take and pass the Law Enforcement Examination (LEE) to be considered for entry-level law enforcement positions. You may use the 2013 LEAB Assessment Preparation Guide to become familiar with the types of questions found on the LEE.
You can file an application to take the LEE when the announcement is made. When filing an application to take the LEE, you can indicate a preference where you want to take the test (The test is given at multiple locations throughout the state on the same date.). The cost of filing to take the LEE is $35.
Step 4. Receive a Place in the Eligible Pool
Candidates who pass the LEE are placed in the Eligible Pool for a period of two years. The Eligible Pool is then used to fill positions for all law enforcement titles in all Civil Service jurisdictions.
The Eligible Pool is then further narrowed down into a Certification list, which is a list of names pulled from the Eligible Pool and given to an Appointing Authority for hiring purposes. The Certification list ranks all eligible candidates based on their LEE score and veteran status. Being placed on the Certification list, however, does not guarantee you will be interviewed or appointed to an entry-level law enforcement position.
Step 5. Undergo a Background Investigation by the Appointing Authority
The CSC is not the appointing authority for entry-level law enforcement positions; instead, there are individual Appointing Authorities for each jurisdiction or agency.
Background investigations for all eligible candidates are conducted by the Appointing Authority, although not all eligible candidates who pass the background investigation are offered a position.
Step 6. Undergo Medical and Psychological Examinations
If you are chosen for Newark Police Jobs, the Appointing Authority will schedule both medical and psychological examinations. You must pass both exams to be appointed for Paterson Police Jobs.
Step 7. Complete an Approved Police Training Course
All new appointees must successfully complete a training program mandated by the New Jersey Police Training Commission.
All appointees are considered to hold a probationary appointment until the completion of an approved police training course, which must be completed within one year of being hired. You may review the list of Police Training Commission certified academies here.