Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

Hello all, after doing a bit of reading on here I've become interested in applying to various departments in New Jersey for a SLEO II position. While I haven't sent out an application, or had an offer of employment, I do have a few questions about the academy for SLEO's. Are you required to provide your own firearm? If not, who provides it? Is it a para-militay atmosphere, or more of a college style environment? The last thing I'm wondering is if I were offered a position for seasonal employment, when would I have to take and pass the PT test, before or after I began the academy? Thanks in advance guys and gals, you've all been very helpful in my previous posts!