Officer Requirements
The Mantua Township Police Department maintains rigorous standards for officer candidates to ensure we serve our community with professionalism, respect, integrity, dedication, and education. Our comprehensive application and examination process is designed to identify individuals who will uphold our values and serve the residents of Mantua Township with excellence.
Qualifications and Application Process
In order to be considered for the position, applicants must:
- Be Police Training Commission (PTC) certified with the ability to attend the additional training required to obtain a waiver to full time status (if needed)
- Be 21 years of age or older
- Be a citizen of the United States
- Be of mental and bodily health sufficient to satisfy the Board of Trustees of the Police and Firemen’s Retirement System of NJ that s/he would be eligible for membership in the retirement system
- Be able to read, write, and speak the English language well and intelligently
- Be of good moral character and free from conviction of any crime constituting an indictable offense or any crime or offense involving moral turpitude
- Be able to pass such written, oral, physical, medical, and psychological examinations as may be approved by the department as well as meet essential job performance requirements
- Be a graduate from high school or have formal education showing attainment of the level represented by graduation from high school (those with a bachelor’s or associate’s degree are given additional points in the process)
- Hold a valid NJ driver’s license
- Meet the requirements of N.J.S. 40A:14-122 to N.J.S. 40A:14-127
- Have already satisfied any costs associated with academy training with their current or former employer
Examination/Selection Procedure
Our officer selection process consists of three phases designed to identify the most qualified candidates. Each phase builds upon the previous one, ensuring that only those who meet our high standards advance. Click on each phase below to learn more about the specific requirements and procedures.
Phase I: Initial Application Review
Candidates will be supplied with an initial application from the Township of Mantua which will be evaluated to determine if the applicant meets the specified minimum criteria.
Phase II: Written & Physical Testing
Candidates will be requested to submit to a written test administered by the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police. A passing score of 70% will be required to continue. Those who pass will be ranked in order from highest to lowest using the scores provided by the testing agency.
Those applicants passing the written test will be requested to submit to a physical test at a location to be determined. Prior to beginning the physical tests, candidates will need to return a Physicians Clearance Form, which will be supplied by this department, certifying that a medical doctor has cleared them for physical activity. A signed prescription blank may be used in its place, but the Physicians Clearance Form with the candidate’s signature will still need to be returned along with it. The tests and standards will be based on those established by the New Jersey Police Training Committee. Those who pass will be ranked in order from highest to lowest score according to established guidelines.
A percentage of the top candidates who pass the minimum standards set forth above will continue to an oral board interview conducted by a selection committee made up of members of the Mantua Township Police Department, who will consider all of the above to make a list of potential hires.
Phase III: Background Investigation & Personal History
The top candidates will be provided with a personal history questionnaire that will be thoroughly evaluated. The amount of questionnaires given out is determined based on the amount of officers we are looking to hire. A check for inconsistencies or blatant omissions that are deemed to be an attempt to prevent discovery of a material fact will be immediately disqualified. A check of the applicant’s fingerprints for a criminal record, driving history, references supplied, NJ Central Drug Registry, and NJ Domestic Violence Central Registry will be conducted for all potential hires.
Phase IV: Medical & Psychological Evaluation
Pending the successful outcome of the above, the selection committee will make a recommendation for hiring to the Chief of Police. Those selected for hiring will also need to pass a drug screening, medical evaluation, and psychological evaluation.
Mantua Township is an Equal Opportunity Employer
