Job Announcement:
Hiring Announcement – Chester Township
POLICE OFFICER
The Chester Township Police Department is accepting resumes and applications for the position of Police Officer. Applicants must possess a New Jersey Police Training Commission BCPO or SLEO-II Certification or enrolled in a NJ PTC Alternate Route Program.
To be considered for this position, an applicant must meet the following eligibility requirements at the time of appointment:
- United States citizen and a current New Jersey resident.
- Possess a New Jersey Police Training Commission BCPO or SLEO-II Certification or enrolled in a NJ PTC Alternate Route Program.
- Be at least 18 years of age and no more than 35 years of age at the time of appointment, unless BCPO or SLEO II certified.
- Be of good moral character and judgment.
- Negative criminal history.
- Possess a valid New Jersey Driver’s License.
- Able to read, write, & understand the English language.
- Possess an Associate’s Degree or 4 years of military service with an honorable discharge.
- Be licensed, or have the ability to obtain a license, as a New Jersey Police Officer.
- Successfully pass multi-phase oral interviews, medical and physical fitness examination, a thorough personal background check, a psychological examination, and a complete drug and alcohol screening.
GENERAL DUTIES
Basic duties include, but are not limited to:
- Protect life and property through the enforcement of laws & regulations.
- Conduct proactive patrol and traffic enforcement activities.
- Respond to service calls (police, fire, medical).
- Conduct preliminary & follow-up investigations.
- Prepare written reports and field notes of investigations and patrol activities.
- Arrest and process criminals.
- Courtroom testimony.
- Perform duties under adverse weather conditions.
- Exercise good judgment in determining when to use force and to what degree.
- Safely operate a law enforcement vehicle under emergency conditions day or night.
- Comprehend legal documents including citations, affidavits, warrants, and case law.
- Take an active role in community-oriented policing within the community.
- Ability to work quickly & accurately in situations where there is pressure or emotional strain.
NOTICE TO TRANSFER APPLICANTS
- Shall bear responsibility for any costs incurred by the former employer under Title 40A:14-178.
- Shall sign a waiver releasing their current department’s complete disciplinary record to this agency for review in accordance with N.J.S.A. 52:17B-247.
FILING DATE AND DEPARTMENT CONTACT
- The filing deadline is November 2, 2026.
- Direct questions to Lt. Anthony DaCunza at adacunza@chesterpolicenj.org.
- The Chester Township Police Department is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
ABOUT THE CHESTER TOWNSHIP POLICE DEPARTMENT
The Chester Township Police Department is staffed by 23 full-time officers, 2 SLEO-II officers, and 2 SLEO-III officers. The Department provides full police services to both Chester Township and Chester Borough, serving more than 9,000 residents and countless visitors through effective, community-based, proactive law enforcement.
Officers patrol a combined 31 square miles encompassing residential neighborhoods, expansive farmland, a vibrant downtown shopping district, commercial shopping centers, and major state highways and county roadways. Serving both the Township and Borough affords our officers the unique opportunity to gain experience in a diverse range of policing environments, from rural and residential areas to a traditional downtown business district and heavily traveled regional roadways.
The Department prides itself on providing excellence in service and enjoys the strong support of the communities we serve. The Chester Township governing body is committed to ensuring that our officers are equipped with modern, advanced equipment and provided with high-quality training and professional development opportunities.
DIVISIONS
- Administrative (Chief of Police, Administrative Lieutenant, Administrative Sergeant)
- Patrol (1 Lieutenant., 4 Sergeants, 3 Corporals, 9 Officers)
- Support Services (1 Detective Lieutenant, 1 to 2 Detectives, 4 SROs)
SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
- Bicycle patrol
- Training Officer
- Traffic Officer
- Field Training Officer
- Crash Reconstruction
- Academy Instructor
- PJJ Instructors
- Firearms Instructor
- Specialized Task Force Opportunities
SALARY & BENEFITS
- Starting Officer salary: $57,064 (Starting salary may be negotiable, commensurate with years of experience)
- Top Officer salary: $135,700 (10 total steps; PBA contract expires 12/2027)
- Off-duty 3rd Party Rate: $95.00/hr. (regular), $115.00/hr. (emergent), 4-hour minimum.
- $1,000 annual uniform/equipment allowance
- Holiday pay (if assigned to work a holiday)
- Medical, dental and vision benefit plans
- Medical benefits included upon retirement at Chapter 78
- Sick leave, vacation time, personal time, compensatory time, Kelly time.
- Compensatory time and sick leave payouts (restrictions apply)
- EMT Stipend of $500 annually
- College reimbursement up to a total of 120 credits (Bachelors) and up to 36 credits (Masters).
- 12-Hour Pitman Schedule, 6am-6pm/6pm-6am shifts, 2 “Swing Shift” officers (2p-2am) rotating days/nights approximately every 4 weeks
- New headquarters workout room
AUTOMATIC DISQUALIFIERS
- The applicant was convicted of an indictable offense or is presently under an indictment.
- The applicant was convicted of any offense involving domestic violence.
- The applicant was convicted of one or more offenses of driving while intoxicated as defined under N.J.S.A. 39:4-50 or within the last five years.
- The applicant is currently on, or at any time within the last 12 months, disciplinary probation with their current employer.
- The applicant pled guilty or has been found guilty of any motor vehicle moving violation five or more times within the past two years.
- The applicant has been dishonorably discharged from any branch of military service or law enforcement agency.
- The applicant was adjudicated by a court or found by an employer to have violated any person's civil rights.
- The applicant was convicted of an offense involving or touching on previous public office, position or employment. See N.J.S.A. 2C:51-2(d).
- The applicant has relinquished their United States citizenship.
- The applicant is subject to a restraining order for harassing, stalking, or threatening, or a restraining order for any domestic violence related offense.
- The applicant sold, manufactured or distributed any illegal controlled substance.
- The applicant engaged in the unauthorized usage of any illegal drug while employed in a position of public trust.
- The inability to become licensed by the New Jersey Police Training Commission
Please direct questions regarding this position to Adacunza@chesterpolicenj.org
About Law Enforcement Jobs
Jobs close at 11:59 PM (Eastern) on the deadline date specified, or when the position capacity has been met, or unless otherwise specified in the announcement. If the deadline date is not specified in the announcement, the agency has sole discretion on setting the deadline and jobs may close without notice. It is the applicant's responsibility to thoroughly read and understand the deadline requirements and capacity limits as outlined by the agency.
Applicants are responsible for checking their email and logging into their PoliceApp account to monitor for updates.