Hackettstown - Entry Level Police Officer

Hackettstown Police Department

Now Accepting applications for Entry Level Police Officers

Our Police Department currently has 20 sworn officers supported by a front office staff of civilian personnel.

The success of a Police Department in the performance of its duties is largely measured by the degree of support and cooperation it receives from the people of the community, which it serves. It is of paramount importance that we secure the confidence, respect, and approbation of the public. The cultivation of such desirable attitudes is dependent upon proper performance of duty by all the members and employees of the department. Professionalization of police is gaining general recognition, but it can win universal acclaim and permanent status only if the actions of the police are reflected in intelligent, sincere, efficient and courteous service. The Police profession must embody the highest attributes of every other profession; neither private profit, nor personal reward, but service to the community is the hallmark of the professional police officer. The price tag for professionalism is accountability.

Our agency currently has 20 officers serving a population of approximately 10,500. Our town has a busy Main St with lots of business fronts, four elementary schools, a hospital, a university, several state highways and residential area.

Our agency remains a busy and growing agency. We have a patrol, traffic, investigative, and administrative division. We participate in numerous community events, along with community initiatives.

REQUIREMENTS:

• EDUCATION:

Graduation from high school or vocational high school or possession of an approved high school equivalent certificate.

• AGE:

Not less than 18 nor more than 35 years of age at the announced closing date for filing applications for the position. In determining maximum age eligibility of veterans, the time spent in active military service during periods specified in Department of Personnel law and rules will be deducted from the attained age.

NOTE: Appointees will be required to successfully complete a training program mandated by the New Jersey Police Training Commission within 18 months of appointment.

• LICENSE:

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

• CITIZENSHIP

Must be a citizen of the United States.

• MEDICAL EXAMINATION

As a prerequisite for appointment, appointees may be required to pass a thorough medical and psychiatric examination to be administered by the appointing authority. Any psychological, medical
or physical condition or defect which would prevent efficient performance of the duties of the position, cause the appointee to be a hazard to himself/herself or others, or become aggravated as a result
of performance of these duties, will be cause for rejection.

Job Description/General Duties:

During an assigned tour of duty, on foot, or in an automobile, patrols a designated area to provide assistance and protection for persons, to safeguard property, to assure observance of the law, and to apprehend law-breakers; does related work as required.

FIGHTS AND DOMESTIC DISPUTES

Separates parties involved in a fight situation by physically intervening or escorting one party out of reach of the other, in order to prevent injury to any of the parties involved.

Attempts to calm parties involved in a fight situation by asking each party to tell or discuss his or her side, in order to gain control of the situation.

Discusses possible solutions with parties involved in a dispute by referring parties to appropriate services and explaining legal recourse, in order to fully resolve the dispute or prevent its recurrence.

Arrests one or more parties in a fight situation, by using standard procedures, in order to restore peace.

GENERAL PATROL

Patrols throughout assigned area either on foot or in patrol car, looking for anything unusual in order to increase patrol visibility and prevent crime, or to discover crime in progress.

Maintains radio communications with headquarters by operating walkie-talkie or patrol car radio in order to facilitate patrol activities.

Assesses situations by utilizing information received from the dispatcher and by visually and orally inspecting premises and surrounding environment in order to make decisions concerning choice of actions and equipment.

Issues summonses for various violations of municipal ordinances and state laws by writing the required information on summons and delivering a copy to the accused, in order to enforce the law.

Facilitates the remediation of miscellaneous hazardous conditions (e.g., road obstructions, malfunctioning signals, etc.) by direct action or by notifying appropriate agencies, in order to restore safe conditions in the assigned sector.

Maintains surveillance of persons suspected of unlawful activity and notifies supervisor, or detectives of important information, in order to facilitate the investigative procedure.

Reports, or receives description(s) of suspect(s) at large by radio transmission in response to, or back-up for, criminal actions, in order to aid, or to enlist aid of fellow officers in the apprehension of suspects/perpetrators.

Following legal guidelines, stops suspicious people, asks them to show identification, and to explain what they are doing in order to detect or prevent a criminal action.

Attempts to disarm persons threatening others with a weapon by using calming conversation and obtaining assistance, in order to neutralize a dangerous situation.

Secures the scene of a crime, or emergency by blocking off the area with barricades, ropes, etc., and by standing guard in order to prevent damage, loss, or injury.

Records patrol activities by filling out log sheet after each call in order to account for actions, mileage, and time on a daily basis.

SERVICE CALLS

Promotes good will by talking casually with people, answering questions, referring citizens to other services, and learning of situations requiring police action in order to gain the confidence and
support of community members.

Controls crowd at emergency scene, following established procedures, in order to insure that emergency services can be performed quickly and safely.

Assists in evacuation of buildings, or areas by orally ordering people to leave or by physically escorting them from the area in order to remove them from danger.

Examines ill or injured persons, and administers the appropriate first aid treatment in order to prevent further injury or loss of life.

Guards dignitaries by continuously positioning self in a manner to most effectively provide protection in order to assure safe passage through the area.

Escorts businessmen to and/or from the bank, and frightened citizens to their destination by taking them in the patrol car, or by walking with them in order to provide protection.

Gives assistance to operators of disabled vehicles by repairing vehicle, or obtaining necessary repair service, or by transporting driver and occupants to a place where shelter, or assistance can be obtained in order to alleviate a potentially dangerous situation.

Returns lost children by interrogating passers-by, and responsible persons in the area where children were discoverd in order to restore the children to the custody of their parents or guardians.

Transports or escorts intoxicated persons home or to the hospital in order to assure their safety.

Blocks suicide attempts by talking to persons threatening and/or attempting suicide, comforting and reassuring them in order to convince them to give up the suicide attempt.

Assists citizens in gaining entry to their vehicles or home when a lockout has occurred, using improvised means in order to provide a necessary service.

TRAFFIC CONTROL AND ENFORCEMENT OF TRAFFIC LAWS

Directs, or re-routes vehicle and pedestrian traffic at emergency scenes at high volume traffic locations, and at school crossings, using hand signals, flares, and/or barricades, in order to insure the safety of pedestrians and the smooth flow of traffic.

Drives patrol car in an unspecified pattern and at varying speeds in order to increase police visibility and to discourage traffic violations and other such occurrences.

Operates radar equipment in patrol unit in order to apprehend speeding law violators.

Pursues detected traffic violators by using patrol vehicle and equipment as required in order to apprehend violators.

Reports action after apprehending traffic violator to the dispatcher, using the radio in order to communicate the location, request back-up (if required), and to request motor vehicle and warrant check.

Interviews or interrogates motor vehicle operators and visually inspects operator's license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance card, in order to obtain information and admission or confession to violations of motor vehicle code.

Evaluates statements, facts, and evidence to determine if a traffic ticket should be issued as a result of an operator's actions.

Warns motor vehicle operators of observed traffic violations by orally informing them of their actions and explaining related provisions of the motor vehicle code, in order to discourage future violations.

Issues traffic summons to observed traffic violators by writing the required information on the summons, giving the violator his copy, and explaining the violation and procedure for compliance, in order to enforce traffic regulations.

Observes behavior and administers appropriate test(s) to suspected violators in order to determine whether they are under the influence of drugs, narcotics, or alcohol.

MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS

Summons ambulance, wrecker, or other emergency equipment needed at an accident scene in order to provide the necessary services as quickly as possible.

Protects accident scene from disturbance by appropriately positioning police car and by lighting and placing flares at strategic locations in order to divert traffic and to prevent further destruction, or removal of evidence.

Removes (or assists in removing) dead or injured from wrecked and/or overturned vehicles by manually lifting them.

Transports motor vehicle accident victims to the hospital when no other emergency vehicle is available in order to minimize time lost in receiving necessary medical treatment.

Identifies, protects, and documents any short-lived evidence found at the accident scene, using approved departmental procedures in order to prevent evidence from being overlooked or destroyed.

Inspects and/or operates devices (lights, brakes, steering, tires, etc.), of vehicles involved in accidents to determine if their operating condition contributed to the cause of the accident.

At the scene of a motor vehicle accident, interviews operators, occupants, and witnesses, using simple interviewing techniques and writing notes of important information in order to help determine how, when, and why the accident occurred.

Explains procedures that motor vehicle operators should follow concerning insurance claims and filing accident forms.

Evaluates statements, facts, and evidence gathered at a motor vehicle accident scene in order to determine if a summons should be issued.

Measures the distance from the accident vehicles and markings made by the vehicles to fixed points (mile post markers, nearest intersection, city limits, etc.), using a tape measure, or measuring wheel in order to determine the exact location, and possible cause of the accident.

Sketches a rough diagram of the accident scene, showing movement of vehicles and pedestrians before and after impact and location of physical evidence in order to record this information ...

Benefits:

All officers receive a generous benefits package which includes

• sick time
• personal time
• vacation time
• medical and dental insurance
• clothing and cleaning allowance
• higher education stipend
• access to retirement benefits

Testing Requirements:

Medical, psychological, and physical fitness prior to the academy. Tests to be administered at the Academy.

Hiring Process:

Application, initial oral interview, background investigation, final oral interview, drug testing, medical exam, psychological exam, academy training

Equal Opportunity Statement:

The Hackettstown Police Department is a strong supporter of equal employment opportunity (EEO). This support includes removing barriers that prevent people of all classes from being treated fairly in employee recruitment, selection, and employment. Similarly, the agency supports affirmative action in its recruitment process.