TRAINING OF POLICE OFFICERS

Prior to appointment, a police officer candidate must complete a 21-week training course at the Morris County Police Academy. Once accomplished, they must then successfully complete a six-week filed training program period. New officers are assigned to patrol duties. Police officers undergo approximately 60 hours of training annually at the police training academy, including courses on Criminal and Motor Vehicle law, recent court decisions, Breathalyzer, radar re-certification and Domestic Violence Procedures. Each officer must also re-qualify semi-annually with service and off-duty firearms. Other in-service training is given as it becomes available.

APPLYING FOR A JOB AS A POLICE OFFICER

Police officer applicants must be 21 to 35 years of age at the time of their appointment and have a minimum of four (4) years of college education. They must take written and oral examinations administered by the New Jersey Association of Chiefs of Police. Once taken, a select top percentage will move on to the interview process. If chosen, the applicant must then pass medical and psychological examinations before being sent to the police academy. Physical requirements and a battery of interviews conducted by officers and supervisors are a vital component in the hiring process.

POLICE EQUIPMENT

The equipment an officer carries includes:
a weapon (sidearm),
handcuffs,
pepper spray,
citation book,
bulletproof vest
nightstick

The police department has seven (7) police cars. The annual mileage of a police car is approximately 20,000 per year. A police car is replaced about every three (3) years. Police officers carry portable radios as their communication equipment. Each police car is equipped with multi-channel mobile radio. They also have a laptop computer to access Division of Motor Vehicle information, criminal records and other State and local police information. All police cars are equipped with a defibrillator, first-aid equipment, auxiliary breathing apparatus and a radar unit. Headquarters communication equipment consists of a base radio, enhanced 9-1-1 system, computer assisted dispatch system, National Criminal Information Center (NCIC system, statewide police radio system and text telephone (TTY) system for the hearing impaired.

Also located at headquarters are defibrillators, breathalyzer equipment, video equipment, a fingerprint station, telephone/radio recording equipment, an evidence locker and a locker room.

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