Fanwood - Certified Police Officer (PTC Certified and Alternate Route Candidates)

Job Announcement:

The Fanwood Police Department is Hiring in 2025!

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

• Starting salary for an officer with less than four experience: $60,740.91
• If the candidate possesses four years or more of police experience: $64,848.02
• Top Pay (as of 2025): $127,246.08
• Steps: 9 steps in 7 years to top pay

• Aetna Medical Plan, MetLife Dental Plan
• Membership in the New Jersey Police and Fireman Retirement System (PFRS)
• Deferred Compensation also available from Lincoln Financial

• - Officer-In-Charge Pay
• - College Incentive Program (One-time payment based on qualifying degrees)
• - Four-on-Four-off Schedule (12 hour patrol shifts), Steady Days or Nights

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Meet all qualifications pursuant to Borough of Fanwood Ordinance No. 20-08-R
• Must be a citizen of the United States
• Age at least 21 years of age at the time of application. Applicants must not have reached their 36th birthday at the time of appointment, except as otherwise set forth in N.J.S.A. 40A:14-127 and 40A:14-127.1
• Must be a resident of New Jersey at the time of appointment 
• Must have a valid New Jersey driver's license at the time of appointment 
• Have never been convicted of a criminal offense involving moral turpitude 
• Must have completed a N.J. State certified police training program and possess a valid PTC Cert OR applicable waiver
• Not subject to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-178
• Preference to residents of Fanwood, Scotch Plains, Union County but no US Citizen that meets all criteria will be disqualified.
• All applicants subject to background screening prior to employment
• Comply with all Fanwood Police Department, Public Safety Committee and Borough Council Policies 

General Duties:

Under the direction of a Shift Supervisor, performs a variety of public safety work providing emergency aid, security and protection to the community's citizens.

BASIC FUNCTIONS

• Patrol assigned areas and aid in preventing crime
• Enforce Federal, State, and Borough laws, ordinances, and regulations
• Observe, report and act upon conditions conducive to crime and danger such as checking buildings for security, assisting other officers on traffic stops and checking suspicious persons and vehicles 
• Report traffic hazards and direct traffic flows when necessary
• Determine the nature of calls, investigate circumstances, and take any necessary and prudent actions such as making arrests and transporting prisoners
• Search prisoners, collect personal effects and assure proper cataloging and safeguarding of personal effects
• Provide assistance to the public in emergency and non-emergency situations
• Administer first aid and request medical services
• Perform crisis intervention in sensitive situations, such as family disputes
• Provide general information to the public on laws and ordinances 
• Assist persons with complaints and inquiries and/or direct them to the appropriate authorities 
• Prepare a variety of records and reports, such as reports on arrests, property impounded, accident offenses and damages to property 
• Perform preliminary investigative assignments of crimes
• Conduct interviews of victims, witnesses, suspects, and subjects
• Provide progress reports on cases under investigation
• Appear in court, and remain readily available to testify on matters of which officer has knowledge
• Maintain proficiency in the use of police related equipment
• May assist in training new officers
• Check business and private property for security. Investigates such conditions as open doors, broken windows and vehicles parked in suspicious places
• Perform other duties as assigned by Commanding Officer and/or deemed necessary to effectively perform the functions of a Fanwood Police Officer

KNOWLEDGE OF:

Civil and Constitutional rights
Federal and State laws, and Borough ordinances
Adult and juvenile judicial procedures and criminal justice system
Departmental regulations, policies, procedures, and general orders
Laws of arrest, search, and seizure
Techniques of investigation and interrogation
Report writing, case preparation and procedures
Interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and courtesy
Crime scene management

ABILITY TO:

• Communicate efficiently both orally and in writing
• Analyze dangerous situations rapidly and accurately and adopt effective courses of action
• Enforce State, Municipal and other applicable laws
• Determine appropriate level and scope of Police response
• Work continuously and tactfully with citizens and other employees

EDUCATION:

An applicant must meet one of the following educational requirements and provide supporting official transcripts:

60 college credits from an accredited college or university or;
at least two years of active-duty military service with an honorable discharge or;
2 years law enforcement experience

DISQUALIFICATIONS:

Applicants to the Fanwood Police Department may be disqualified for any of the following:

• Failure to successfully complete all background screenings
• Having been convicted of an indictable offense or receiving an indictable conviction expungement
• A conviction of any offense involving a controlled dangerous substance
• A conviction of any offense involving a public office position or employment
• If you were adjudicated by a court or found by an employer to have violated a person’s civil rights in New Jersey or any other state
• If you participated in a program of supervisory treatment of pre-­‐trial intervention for an indictable offense under J.S.A. 2C:43-­‐12 or the equivalent in another state
• If your driving privilege is currently suspended or revoked in New Jersey or any other state
• If you were dishonorably discharged from any branch of the United States military or law enforcement
• If you are currently subject to a final domestic violence restraining order
• If you were ever terminated or asked to resign from public office, or position or government employment for misconduct involving your public office, position, or employment
• If you, within the past 5 years, have ever possessed or used any illegal drug or drugs, including anabolic steroids other than those prescribed or provided by a physician or purchased over the counter

TATTOO POLICY:

All candidates must comply with the Fanwood Police Department tattoo policy.

Offensive tattoos, branding and intentional scarring strictly prohibited. Tattoos, branding and intentional scarring is prohibited on any part of the body if they are obscene, profane, offensive, sexually suggestive and/or prejudicial to good order and discipline. Tattoos of a nature that tend to bring discredit upon the department or discriminatory towards persons based on their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, creed, age, sex or disability are strictly prohibited.

HIRING PROCESS

All candidates must successfully complete the following:

• Oral interviews
• Writing Sample
• Background investigation
• Psychological exam
• Medical Exam
• Drug Screening
• Successful candidates that are hired are assigned to a Field Training Program for the duration of their probationary period

Please direct questions regarding this position to police@fanwoodnj.org