NJ State Police advice

[robp12]

Hello everyone,

I'm brand new to the forum and happy to be here. I'll give you a little background to myself, and what I'm aiming to do in law enforcement. I'm currently a 21 year old up-coming college senior, majoring in Marketing. I've been interested in a career with the military/law enforcement since I've been a young kid and last summer attended US Marine Corps Officer Candidate School. I did well at USMC OCS (graduating top-10 in my platoon of 54), enjoyed the experience but have decided to delay my completion of OCS to look towards other possible career paths as my family didn't particularly support iit, etc.

Being from NJ, I've been researching a few things, one of them being the State Police. I've found that NJSP has an extremely difficult academy with a paramilitary style training (all of which I love) and a lot of different career paths to take after putting in your time on the road. I attended the NJSP Career Night last night and enjoyed the meeting thoroughly, although the Lieutenant admitted they have no idea when they will be taking applications in the future.

If I get lucky, applications will open up sometime during my senior year this fall/spring. If they don't, I'm looking into possibly going for a Masters in Criminal Justice, to help my acceptance into the academy/open up more career paths. At this point, from my impressions, all I can really do is stay in excellent physical shape and wait until the application process opens up. Does anyone have any recommendations on how to continue to prepare and set my self up for future acceptance?

Looking forward to your response and I appreciate the help!
Rob

[Safety Steve]

Texas Highway Patrol is always looking for a few good people! Google Texas DPS and check it out. We are about to have our own navy on the Rio Grande River! Think you could handle the excitement?


Be Safe.

[Joeyd6]

The chances of getting hired by the NJSP in the next five years is slim to none. Hirring is at a stand still and the applicant pool is overloaded. Even if they open it up, you are so far back in line the odds are not worth taking.

Additionally, there are not that many career options within as you think. In fact, ignore the recruiter lines and look who is standing on the median of the NJTP and GSP......many have plenty of gray hair. I am sure they are still selling the "We have 120 units" line. I have seven close friends, all with 7 to 10 years in. Guess how many have made it off the road and into a special unit? Two....one in commercial enforcement at the weigh stations and one on the governors detail who will openly admit she got in because it was a slot set for a "woman." The rest continue to hammer the highway for tickets or do accident reconstruction. Morale is low. Its not the great agency it was five years ago. Will it go back? Probable....but not for a while.

NJSP is not a good option right now. I would look around and have a few more eggs in your basket.

[robp12]

Well, thanks for that detailed response. I really appreciate it, especially with the realistic outlook on things. Do you have any other recommendations to look into in the Tri-State area? With your response, it has me leaning more back towards finishing OCS and becoming an officer in the USMC.. I'd like

[Joeyd6]

Well, thanks for that detailed response. I really appreciate it, especially with the realistic outlook on things. Do you have any other recommendations to look into in the Tri-State area? With your response, it has me leaning more back towards finishing OCS and becoming an officer in the USMC.. I'd like

Skip the chiefs tests in NJ....they already know who they are hiring. CT is in cut-back/layoff mode. Try the NYPD if you desire, but otherwise head to another part of the counrty or do you OCS or try federal uniform (Border Patrol, Capital Police, USSS Uniform, etc....) That way you military time counts towards retirement!