Qualifications

The Paterson Police Department hires under the rules and regulations of the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. A candidate list is generated from those who pass the Law Enforcement Examination. In addition to the New Jersey Civil Service requirements, current local ordinance requires that the candidate taking the examination for the Paterson Police Department be a resident of Paterson at the time of application and the time of appointment.

• Basic requirements:
• Must be a U.S. Citizen and New Jersey Resident at time of taking the test
• Must have a high school diploma or G.E.D
• Must possess a valid New Jersey driver’s license
• Must be between 18 – 35 years of age (some exceptions may apply)
• Must take the NJ Law Enforcement Examination
• Must be eligible for licensure by the Police Training Commission
• Must have good credit
• Must demonstrate good moral character (based on contemporary standards)
• Must be in and maintain good health to satisfy pension requirements
• Must be literate (read, write and speak the English language)

Applicants must successfully pass a background check. A thorough investigation will be conducted on each applicant – areas of investigation include: employment history, driving history, domestic violence history and criminal history.

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 two or more offenses of driving while intoxicated as defined under N.J.S.A. 39:4-50 or was convicted of driving while intoxicated as defined under N.J.S.A. 39:4-50 within the last five years.
• The applicant is currently on probation or has been on probation at any time within the last 12 months.
• If 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, having been a citizen of the United States, has relinquished his or her 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 in his or her life.
• The applicant engaged in the unauthorized usage of any illegal drug while employed in a position of public trust.

Should you desire further information, contact:
Paterson Police Department
Office of Administrative Services
Email: candidateprocessing@patersonpdnj.gov
New Jersey residency is required upon graduation from the Academy.