Franklin Township (Somerset, NJ) - Entry Level Police Officer

 FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP POLICE DEPARTMENT

(SOMERSET COUNTY)

 POLICE OFFICER

Applicants that have completed the Basic Course for Police Officers are not required to take the Written Exam and Physical Agility Test .  *APPLY HERE * POLICE PTC CERTIFIED ONLY
Correctional Police Officers, whether State or County, are required to complete the full hiring process as new applicants. Additionally, out-of-state police officer certifications or training are not recognized by the New Jersey Police Training Commission (PTC); candidates must successfully meet all requirements of the New Jersey hiring and certification process.
 

Minimum Requirements:

• Be a citizen of United States; and resident of New Jersey at the time of appointment
• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Applicants must possess a current, valid driver’s license at the time of application.
• Applicants must be at least 20 years old as of the date of the application and 21 years old at the start of their Academy Class date. Applicants also must not reach their 35th birthday prior to their Academy Class graduation date.
• Visual acuity not less than 20/50 in each eye corrected to 20/20 with normal color perception
• Normal auditory acuity
• Must pass a Written, Physical Fitness and Oral Examination.

Testing Requirements:

Written Examination: Applicants must achieve a minimum score of 70% to pass. The written test will be administered on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at 6:00 PM at Franklin High School, 500 Elizabeth Avenue, Somerset, NJ.

Physical Fitness Assessment: This is a Pass/Fail evaluation, scheduled for September 13 and 14, 2025, and is open only to applicants who successfully pass the written examination.

Oral Interview: Dates for oral examinations will be scheduled following completion of the physical fitness assessment.

Hiring Process:

• Written Examination 
• Physical agility 

    Vertical Jump: 12.5 inches
    1 Minute Sit-up:  22 repetitions
    300 Meter Run: 84 seconds or less
    1 Minute Push-up: 19 repetitions
    1.5 Mile Run: 19:00 minutes or less

• Drug Testing
• Oral Interview and background investigation.
• Psychological examination
• Medical Examination

Job Description/General Duties:

• Works on rotating shifts performing security patrols, traffic control, investigation and first aid at accidents, detection, investigation and arrest of persons involved in crimes or misconduct.
• Works an assigned shift using own judgment in deciding course of action being expected to handle difficult and emergency situations without assistance.
• Maintains normal availability by radio or telephone for consultation on major emergencies or precedent.
• Carries out duties in conformance with Federal, State, County, and Township laws and ordinances;
  Patrols Township streets, parks, commercial and residential areas to preserve the peace and enforce the law, control vehicular traffic prevent or detect and investigate misconduct involving misdemeanors, felonies and other law violations' and to otherwise serve and protect.
• Responds to emergency radio calls and investigates accidents, robberies, civil disturbances, domestic disputes, fights, drunkenness, missing children, prowlers, abuse of drugs, etc. Takes appropriate law enforcement action.
• Interrogates suspects, witnesses and drivers. Preserves evidence. Arrests violators. Investigates and renders assistance at scene of vehicular accidents. Summons ambulances and other law enforcement vehicles. Takes measurements and draws diagrams of scene.
• Conducts follow up investigations of crimes committed during assigned shift. Seeks out and questions victim, witnesses and suspects. Develops leads and tips. Searches scene of crimes for clues. Analyzes and evaluates evidence and arrests offenders. Prepares cases for giving testimony and testifies in court proceedings.
• Prepares a variety of reports and records including officer's Daily Log, reports of investigation, field interrogation report, alcohol reports, influence reports, breathalyzer check list, bad check form, vehicle impoundment form, traffic hazard report, etc.
• Undertakes community oriented police work, and assists citizens with such matters as locked or stalled vehicles, crime prevention, traffic safety, etc.
• Participates in investigating criminal law violations occurring within the City limits, obtaining evidences and compiling information regarding these crimes, preparing cases for filing of charges, testifying in court, and related activities.
• Conducts patrol activities including directing traffic, investigation of reported or observed violations of law, and conducting patrol activities.
• Coordinates activities with other officers or other Township departments as needed, exchanges information with officers in other law enforcement agencies, and obtains advice from the Township Attorney, Court Administrator, and Municipal Prosecutor's Office regarding cases, policies and procedures, as needed and assigned.
• Maintains contact with police supervisory personnel to coordinate investigation activities, provide mutual assistance during emergency situations and provides general information about Department activities.

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