Job Announcement:

Hiring Announcement – Chester Township

POLICE OFFICER

The Chester 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 judgement.
• Negative criminal history.
• Possess a valid New Jersey Driver’s License.
• Able to read, write, & understand the English language.
• High school diploma. Associates or higher perferred.
• 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 of a Chester police officer 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 April 11, 2025.
• Direct questions to LT. Anthony DaCunza at adacunza@chesterpolicenj.org.
• The Chester Police Department is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
•  

ABOUT THE CHESTER POLICE DEPARTMENT

The Chester Police Department is staffed by 22 full-time officers, 2 SLEO-II and 2 SLEO-III officers. This agency focuses on effective community-based, proactive law enforcement services for the over 9,000 residents, and countless visitors, of Chester Township and Chester Borough. Officers patrol a combined 31 square miles, comprised of neighborhoods, farmlands, downtown shopping district, shopping malls and major state highway and county roadways. The Department prides itself on providing excellence in service, benefits from a supportive community and is supported by a governing body that’s committed to providing our officers with modern, advanced equipment and advanced beneficial training opportunities.

DIVISIONS

Administrative (Chief of Police, Administrative Lieutenant, Administrative Sergeant)

Patrol (1 Patrol Lieutenant, 4 Sergeants, 3 Corporals, 9 Officers)

Support Services (1 Detective Lieutenant, 4 Sergeants, 3 Corporals, 9 Officers )

SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT AND TRAINING OPPPORTUNITIES

• Bicycle patrol
• Training Officer
• Traffic Officer
• Field Training Officer
• Crash Reconstruction
• Academy Instructor
• Firearms Instructor
• Opportunities to for officer loan outs to the county prosecutor and other law enforcement agencies.

SALARY & BENEFITS

• Starting Officer salary: $52,460 (Starting salary may be negotiable, commensurate with years of experience.)
• Top Officer salary: $135,700 (PBA contract set to renew in 2027.)
• 3-hour minimum department overtime rate.
• Off-duty overtime rate: $95.00/hr. (regular), $115.00/hr. (emergent), 4-hour minimum.
• Medical/Dental benefit plans.
• Sick leave, vacation time, personal time, compensatory time, Kelly time.
• Compensatory time and sick leave payouts (restrictions apply).
• 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, rotating days/nights approximately every 4 weeks.

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.

Please direct questions regarding this position to Adacunza@chesterpolicenj.org