Cape May County Academy - Alternate Route Basic Course
Job Announcement:
CAPE MAY COUNTY POLICE ACADEMY ALTERNATE ROUTE PROGRAM
The Alternate Route Training Program allows a civilian to enter the police academy without first being hired by a police agency. The Alternate Route Candidate trains alongside the regular police recruit and is treated as their equal during training. The Alternate Route Candidate is responsible for all costs associated with their training, presently about $4,000.00. Although this might seem like a large sum, the program includes meals and lodging, issued laptop computer and a computer lab for use by the recruits including any required training materials.
The program is twenty-two weeks in length and requires the recruit to reside Monday through Friday at the Training Facility. Course of study includes History of Law Enforcement, The Criminal Justice System, Stress, Ethics, Community Policing, Criminal Law, Arrest, Search and Seizure, Use of Force, Communications, Vehicle Operations, Emergency Medical Care, Firearms, Defensive Tactics, Chemical Agents, Patrol Concepts, Traffic Enforcement, Criminal Investigation, and Physical Fitness.
Additionally, the recruit receives certification in CPR and AED. The program also includes ammunition training (live fire) and survival shooting.
Candidates for the Alternate Route Program must be:
- A Citizen of the United States who is between ages 18-34
- Is sound in body and of good health sufficient to satisfy the Board of Trustees of the Police and Firemen's Retirement system of N.J. as to eligibility for membership in the retirement system
- Able to read, write and speak the English language well and intelligently
- Is of good moral character and has not been convicted of any criminal offense involving moral turpitude
- Minimum of 60 academic credits or individuals who have served in the military and have not earned 60 credits, but can substitute two years of full-time, active-duty military service, or combination of college credits and full-time active-duty military service to satisfy the education requirements. ALL EDUCATIONAL AND OR MILITARY REQUIREMENTS MUST BE MET by July 2026.
- Pass a rigorous selection process, including a written examination, a physical fitness test, oral interview, psychological evaluation, medical exam, and a full background check prior to attending.
- * Must be hired/enrolled in the state pension program by age 35, unless has military service.
Testing/Rules
Applicants must present photo ID at each phase of testing. There are three initial phases of testing.
Physical Fitness Test - Testing will begin promptly of the time provided, no one will be admitted after that time on test day. Application fees will not be refunded to anyone arriving late. Candidates must pass all five Physical Fitness tests in order to continue on to the written test. The Police Training Commission requires that the Alternate Route applicant successfully passes each testing component. If a failure is received, testing will cease, and the applicant will be disqualified from the Alternate Route process.
This test will be pass/fail consisting of the following five events with the following minimum standards:
1.5-mile run must be completed in 19:00 minutes or less
300-meter run must be completed in 84 seconds or less
Vertical jump of at least 12.5 inches
At least 19 proper pushup repetitions in 1 minute
At least 22 proper sit-up repetitions in 1 minute
Written Test - This examination consists of 60% of the overall score.
Oral interview - Interviews will be conducted by a panel of Law Enforcement Professions and will consist of 40% of the final score.
Background investigation - Investigations will be conducted due to the limited number of Alternate Route Recruits allowed in a class. Those who have a questionable background in regard to prior arrests, improper conduct or serious/excessive motor vehicle violations will not be considered for enrollment.
Additional Testing - A psychological assessment will be scheduled upon successfully passing the above requirements. The applicant will be responsible for payment for the psychological assessment on the date scheduled to the testing facility. A medical examination also must be conducted prior to entrance to the Police Academy.
Please direct questions regarding this position to monica.mack@capemaycountynj.gov
About Law Enforcement Jobs
Jobs close at 11:59 PM (Eastern) on the deadline date specified, or when the position capacity has been met, or unless otherwise specified in the announcement. If the deadline date is not specified in the announcement, the agency has sole discretion on setting the deadline and jobs may close without notice. It is the applicant's responsibility to thoroughly read and understand the deadline requirements and capacity limits as outlined by the agency.
Applicants are responsible for checking their email and logging into their PoliceApp account to monitor for updates.
