NJ TRANSIT Police Department - 2026 ENTRY-LEVEL – OPEN TO NJ CORRECTIONS OFFICERS & CLASS 2 CERTIFIED OFFICERS ONLY Police Recruitment (Interest Capture)

ENTRY LEVEL POLICE OFFICER JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

ONLY OPEN TO NJ CORRECTIONS OFFICERS & CLASS 2 CERTIFIED OFFICERS

HOW TO APPLY

The application period will open starting on September 7, at 9:00am; only the first 2000 applicants will be considered and will be contacted via Policeapp.com with information regarding the Physical Qualification Test.

When applying there will be a $35 non-refundable application fee to apply for the test. (Payable by Debit/Credit Card Only).

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING REQUIRED TESTING

This announcement details the dates and locations for the Physical Qualification Test.  You must pass the NJ TRANSIT Police Physical Qualification test to be considered for employment.

PHYSICAL QUALIFICATION TEST:

You will be able to select a time slot on a first come first serve basis. 

LOCATION AND DATES:

Middlesex College 2600 Woodbridge Avenue, Edison, NJ 08818

• Saturday, November 7, 2026
• Sunday, November 8, 2026
• Saturday, November 14, 2026, OR
• Sunday, November 15, 2026

DOCUMENTS WHEN APPLYING:

When applying through Policeapp.com you MUST UPLOAD the following documents, (documents must be in one of the following formats: docx, pdf, jpg, jpeg, gif, or png)

·         Updated resume (must display years of required NJ Correction Officer or Class 2 experience after Academy graduation, based on requirements)

·          Updated PTC certification i.e. Basic Course for County/State Correctional Police Officers or Class 2 SLEO

·         Updated unofficial or official college transcript or copy of degree, if applicable, (must include name of applicant and name of school)

·         DD214, if applicable, (long version with discharge information)

CRITERIA FOR BECOMING A NJ TRANSIT POLICE OFFICER:

A candidate will be rejected from the selection process that has intentionally misrepresented, falsified, or concealed material and that, upon submission of any official document (online or otherwise), made a false statement, or attempted to practice any deception or fraud in this initial application, examination, interview, background, or in securing eligibility for appointments.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

To be considered as a NJ TRANSIT Police Officer, you must meet ALL the requirements.

Only those applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be allowed to proceed in the selection process. Partial or incomplete document submission will not be accepted and will disqualify you from the selection process & applications fees will not be refunded.

Failure to meet and provide appropriate documentation that demonstrates fulfillment of these requirements when applying through Policeapp.com will result in your disqualification from the NJ TRANSIT Police Officer selection process.

Read the Minimum Qualifications carefully prior to applying through Policeapp.com.

CITIZENSHIP: Candidates must be citizens of the United States on the date of application submission and never have renounced United States citizenship.

DRIVER'S LICENSE: Candidates must have a driving record in good standing and valid motor vehicle driver’s license on the date of application submission.

EDUCATION (Achieved by 1/1/2027) 

Applicants must have successfully graduated from an accredited Corrections Academy or Class 2 Academy. Qualifying experience must have been obtained after academy graduation, and the required years of experience will be calculated from the date of graduation. Applicants must be certified and meet one of the following:

• Bachelor's degree; OR
• Sixty (60) college credits and one (1) year of qualifying Corrections Officer or Class 2 experience; OR
• Four (4) full years of continuous active-duty military service

AUTOMATIC DISQUALIFICATION FACTORS:

Applicants are advised that the NJ TRANSIT Police Department will automatically disqualify any applicant who does not meet the general requirements as detailed in the eligibility requirement section.

An applicant will be automatically disqualified if he/she meets one or more than one of the following factors which includes and is not limited to:

The applicant has any felony convictions in any State or be under indictment or have a pending felony case.
The applicant has been convicted of, or plea agreement to, any offense involving domestic violence.
The applicant has a conviction of an unlawful sexual offense.
The applicant was adjudicated by the court to be in violation of any person’s civil rights in this State or any other State.
The applicant was found by an employer to have violated any person’s civil rights in this State or any other State.
The applicant is subject to a restraining order for harassing, stalking, or threatening.
The applicant has a dishonorable discharge from any branch of military service or law enforcement agency.
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 a conviction of two or more motor vehicle offenses for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol pursuant to N.J.S.A. 39:4-50 or has a conviction of driving while intoxicated as defined under N.J.S.A. 39:4-50 within last five years. 
The applicant has forfeited their right to public employment under NJSA 2C:51-

SELECTION PROCESS:

Throughout this selection process, you will be required to present an original of one unexpired government-issued document with a photo to verify your identity. Acceptable photo IDs include: a passport, driver’s license, state ID, U.S. military ID, etc.

The selection process consists of the following and applicants should be prepared to participate in every part of the selection process. Applicants will be notified of their status via Policeapp.com. Please use an email address that is up to date:

·         Physical Qualification Test

·         Extensive Qualifications Screening

·         Panel Interview

·         Physical Fitness Assessment for ALL Corrections Officers/ Class 2 (during or after backgrounds investigation) 

·         Extensive Background Investigation

·         Comprehensive Medical Examination and Mandatory Psychological Evaluation

PHYSICAL QUALIFICATION TEST (PQT):

The purpose of this test is to ensure that each applicant meets the entry-level physical performance standards for the department and to ensure recruits are in satisfactory physical condition for acceptance by an approved police academy. The candidate must perform a PQT. Applicants are given 1 attempt at each exercise; except for the vertical jump. The test is pass or fail and failure of any one exercise will disqualify the applicant and remove them from the current selection process at that time. The tests consist of:

• Vertical Jump: 15 inches

• 1 Minute Sit-Up: 28 repetitions

• 300 Meter Run: 70.1 seconds or less

• 1 Minute Push-up: 24 repetitions

• 1.5 Mile Run: 15:55 minute or less

PREPARING FOR PQT:

The following will assist you in the preparation for the NJ TRANSIT Physical Qualification Test:

• Cardiovascular exercise 30-40 minutes, 3-4 times a week (i.e. aerobics, jogging, walking, and swimming) or participation in any activities that build up your endurance and level of fitness gradually

• Various calisthenics and strength training exercises in order to increase upper and lower body strength

• Maintain a well-balanced diet for several days before the test

• Get a good night’s sleep the night before the test

• Refrain from drinking a lot of liquids or eating a big meal immediately before the test

• Maintain complete hydration the day of the test

• Wear appropriate clothing on the day of your test, such as athletic clothing.

Examples of athletic clothing are sweatshirts or T-shirt; sweatpants or shorts and sneakers.

QUALIFICATION SCREENING:

Upon successful completion of your submission through Policeapp.com, passing of the Physical Qualification all information will be collected and assessed by a review panel.

Applicants selected to move forward to the panel interview phase will be advised via Policeapp.com. It is your responsibility to keep your email up to date.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION:

A comprehensive pre-employment background investigation will be conducted by the NJ TRANSIT Police Department on all candidates that pass the panel interview. Candidates will be required to sign appropriate authorizations that will permit full investigation and complete disclosure of personal information. Candidates who do not report their complete background record and do not provide complete and truthful answers during the background investigation will be disqualified from the selection process at any time.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT MEDICAL EXAMINATION:

An offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a preemployment medical examination. The medical examination is conducted to determine the candidate’s ability to perform the essential functions of a NJ TRANSIT Police Officer.  Upon successful completion of the medical examinations, the candidate will be eligible for employment as a NJ TRANSIT Police Officer and sworn into a certified Police Academy to complete training as outlined by the PTC.

The NJ TRANSIT Police hiring process is designed to identify the most qualified candidates for the position. At the completion of each stage of the hiring process, applicants will be notified of their status via Policeapp.com. Only those applicants meeting the standards of the NJ TRANSIT Police Department are selected to continue in the process.

NJ TRANSIT HAS A RESIDENCY LAW; YOU HAVE ONE YEAR FROM DATE OF HIRE TO RELOCATE.

SALARY:

$60,000 Non-Certified *

(*While attending the Police Academy)

$77,100 NJ PTC Certified

SCHEDULE:

4 days on 3 days off schedule; 10-hour days.

BENEFITS:

Each full-time sworn member will receive benefits in accordance with the current collective bargaining agreement.  These benefits include a major medical health plan, a prescription plan, dental insurance, and a group life insurance as part of the Police & Fire Retirement System.

ACADEMY/FIELD TRAINING PROGRAM:

The New Jersey Police Training Commission has mandated that any candidate entering a Basic Course for Police Officers (recruit academy), pass a Pre-Academy Physical Fitness Assessment Test. Any candidate that fails the Pre-Academy Assessment will be prohibited from attending the Academy.

Police Training Commission candidates who successfully complete all of the evaluation components are subject to one-year probation from date of employment.  Candidates will be assigned to a sixteen-week Field Training Program once hired. As a NJ TRANSIT Police Officer, you will be assigned to various locations throughout the state. All sworn officers of the NJ TRANSIT Police Department are fully certified by the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice, Police Training Commission. 

Candidates MUST be able to accept assignments throughout the state of NJ.  Candidates who successfully complete all of the evaluation components are subject to one-year probation from graduation from a certified Police Academy and will be assigned to a sixteen-week Field Training Program after graduation from a certified Police Academy. **

ABOUT US

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the NJ TRANSIT Police Department is to maintain public order and safety while deterring and preventing terrorism and crime throughout the NJ TRANSIT system.

VISION STATEMENT

We will accomplish our mission through intelligence led policing and counterterrorism-based approaches in all of our policing strategies. Our commitment to exceptional public service will act as the foundation in guiding our relentless crime prevention and suppression efforts. This vision exemplifies our pursuit of excellence in setting the standard in transit policing throughout the country.

CORE VALUES

Honor
Commitment
Integrity
Courage

If at any time you have questions, please email the NJ TRANSIT Police Recruiting Unit at NJTPD_ExamQuestions@njtransit.com. NJ TRANSIT is an Equal Opportunity Employer.