Park Ridge - Entry Level Police Officer

The Park Ridge Police Department patrols a 2.6 square mile jurisdiction in northern New Jersey. We have a population of roughly 9800 residents and have an 18,366 overall call volume. Our population is growing by 10% due to increased housing construction in the next 2 years.

We are a progressive, active police department that strives to deliver premier policing standards while focusing on a community policing initiative to engage youth and at risk elderly population. We are an accredited agency that meet all NJ State standards.

Job Description/General Duties:

• Patrol: Conduct routine and directed patrols of residential neighborhoods, business districts, schools, parks, and major roadways.
• Calls for Service: Respond to emergency and non-emergency calls involving accidents, disturbances, alarms, suspicious activity, domestic incidents, medical emergencies, and other community concerns.
• Traffic Enforcement: Enforce motor vehicle laws, investigate crashes, conduct traffic stops, address hazardous driving, and assist with traffic control and roadway safety.
• Criminal Investigations: Conduct preliminary investigations, secure crime scenes, interview witnesses and victims, collect evidence, and prepare reports for follow-up investigations.
• Arrests & Enforcement: Make arrests when appropriate, serve warrants, issue summonses, and enforce municipal ordinances and state statutes.
• Community Policing: Maintain positive relationships with residents, businesses, schools, and community organizations while addressing quality-of-life concerns.
• Public Safety: Assist with missing persons, medical emergencies, fire calls, severe weather, hazardous conditions, and other public-safety incidents.
• Report Writing: Prepare detailed and accurate reports documenting incidents, arrests, investigations, motor vehicle crashes, and other police activity.
• Court & Legal Responsibilities: Prepare for and appear in municipal, county, and Superior Court when required.
• Department Operations: Maintain assigned equipment and patrol vehicles, participate in required training, attend roll calls and briefings, and assist other officers and agencies as needed.

Hiring Process:

• Initial interview
• Formal interview
• Pre-academy assessment
• Medical and psychological testing
• Drug testing
• Full background check
• Criminal history check
• Credit check and meets State of NJ PTC licensing requirements.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

The Borough of Park Ridge is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In accordance with applicable Federal, State, and local laws—including the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)—the Borough maintains a strict policy of equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants