OVERVIEW

For full consideration, a cover letter and resume must be submitted in addition to the online application.

This position is open to all applicants, with or without police experience.

This is a sponsored position. The Princeton University Department of Public Safety will pay for a successful candidate's New Jersey police academy tuition, uniforms, and equipment. While in the academy, cadets earn a salary per the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) contract. Candidates with current New Jersey Police Officer Certification or approval of New Jersey Training Commission for police commission may be eligible for a sign-on bonus.

The Department of Public Safety (DPS) is the primary department charged with creating a safe and secure environment at Princeton University. DPS operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and is comprised of 159 staff members. The department consists of professional University police, security officers, dispatchers, and administrators dedicated to providing best-in-class service to the community.

DPS was originally recognized and awarded Law Enforcement Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) in July 2015, and subsequently awarded reaccreditation status in July 2018 and July 25, 2022. CALEA serves as the International Gold Standard for Public Safety Agencies and oversees a rigorous accreditation process. In addition, DPS was awarded accreditation status by the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission (NJLEAC) on March 14, 2019, and subsequently awarded reaccreditation status in March 2022, and March 2025.

DPS sworn University Police Officers have the authority of commissioned police officers with full power of arrest deriving their law enforcement authority from New Jersey statutes (Title 18A, Sections 6-4.2 and 6-4.5) and the Trustees of Princeton University.

University Police Officers must complete the same police academies and annual training as their municipal counterparts. This training has been approved and authorized by the State of New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice Police Training Commission. Our university police officers, who are unarmed daily, have access to a police service rifle in limited situations. DPS has 50 sworn officers.

Responsibilities

As part of an assigned team, University Police Officers provide campus safety, security, and law enforcement services to the University community. The individual provides a wide range of services, including both traditional and non-traditional police services. Officers are required to participate in crime prevention and community-oriented public safety programming. The successful candidate must project a positive image. Individuals enforce University regulations, local ordinances, and state laws. The individual is a first responder to incidents, accidents, and other emergency situations and is responsible for conducting initial and follow-up investigations into significant and criminal incidents. The individual will work under the direction of a sergeant.

The Department of Public Safety is a 24/7, 365 day operation. The successful candidate must be able to work ALL shifts, including weekends, holidays, and overtime shifts, as required. Overtime is mandatory.

This is an entry level, sworn University Police Officer position.

Qualifications

Candidate must meet the qualifications necessary for New Jersey police licensing
Candidate must meet the physical fitness standards required for police academy admission if not currently licensed or certified.
High School diploma or equivalent.
Current valid vehicle operator's license.
After completion of NJ police academy: Officer must demonstrate proficiency with assigned firearms and qualify per Attorney General (AG) guidelines and annually thereafter per policy.
Candidate must successfully complete various fitness for duty assessments, including online testing with Wonderlic; comprehensive background investigation; and psychological evaluation and interview.
Must be able to meet Post Offer Pre-Employment Screening (POPES) requirements.
Experience: At least two years of work and/or life experience directly relating to a minimum of two of the following areas: Community service/involvement; Interviewing, public speaking, and conflict resolution skills; Problem solving, using creative method to resolve issues; or Multi-cultural work and life experiences.
Work environment involves considerable exposure to unusual elements, such as extreme temperatures and loud noises.
Work environment involves moderate exposure to hazards and physical risks to personal safety.
Must be physically fit and able to defend oneself from attack or physical assault.
Must have 20-20 or 20-30 vision either naturally or with corrective lenses.
Must be able to wear the required uniform including, but not limited to a protective vest.
This is a unionized position within the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP).
Per the FOP contract, officers attending the Police Academy earn a salary. The starting salary for an officer with their PTC is $64,266/year = $30.90/hour. For those with more than 20 years of law enforcement service, the starting salary is up to $70,000.
Per the FOP contract this position has a 12-month probationary period.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Associate or Bachelor's degree.
Current New Jersey Police Officer Certification/License; approval of New Jersey Training Commission for police commission.