Requisition #: 2026-21992
Date Posted: 2026-07-07
Department: Public Safety
Category: Public Safety, Security, and Emergency Services
Job Type: Full-Time
Work Schedule: See job description
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 153 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. These awards are a mark of professional excellence and signify that we have earned these distinguished honors through continued compliance with CALEA/NJLEAC Standards. Throughout these processes, we established and implemented policies and practices that meet or exceed the National and State standards, to serve both the Department and the community well in the future.
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. Title 18A, Section 6-4.5 provides that sworn University Police Officers "shall possess all the powers of policemen and constables in criminal cases and offenses against the law anywhere in the State of New Jersey [including the powers of arrest], pursuant to any limitations as may be imposed by the governing body of the institution which appointed and commissioned the person." DPS sworn University Police Officers are licensed law enforcement officers as defined in NJSA 52:17B-67.
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. Police officers may access service rifles when there is an in-progress threat with an individual brandishing a firearm, an active shooter, or an individual actively committing serious bodily injury or death with a deadly weapon on or "contiguous" to campus. All police officers have qualified with a firearm while at the police academy and must attend mandatory in-service firearms training throughout the year to enable them to perform more efficiently and more safely. DPS has 46 sworn officers, including the assistant vice president, director of operations, the patrol captain, 5 lieutenants, 6 sergeants, 2 corporals, 2 detectives, and 28 police officers.
To read the Princeton University Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, click here.
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 (https://nj.gov/njsp/recruiting/selection-process.shtml)
- 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.
- Officer must maintain ability to operate assigned firearms under all applicable law and University 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 and be found capable of performing the essential functions and physical requirements of the position, both before commencing employment and any time required thereafter under University policy.
- 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 position requires providing evidence of medical immunity to certain diseases that may pose risk to animals within labs/vivarium and is meant to ensure the safety of the employee, co-workers and animals. All testing information is treated in a confidential manner by University Health Services and is part of the animal worker surveillance program medical protocols.
- 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.
All positions within the Department of Public Safety are subject to completion of a comprehensive background screening process. This includes both a University Human Resources background check and a fingerprint-based criminal history background check conducted by the Department of Public Safety. Successful completion of both processes is required as a condition of employment.
Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
The University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's qualifications, work experience, education/training, key skills, market, collective bargaining agreements as applicable, and organizational considerations when extending an offer. The posted salary range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate for a full-time position; salaries for part-time positions are pro-rated accordingly.
If the salary range on the posted position shows an hourly rate, this is the baseline; the actual hourly rate may be higher, depending on the position and factors listed above.
The University also offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees. Please see this link for more information.
Standard Weekly Hours
40.00
Eligible for Overtime
Yes
Benefits Eligible
Yes
Probationary Period
Per union contract
Essential Services Personnel (see policy for detail)
Yes
Physical Capacity Exam Required
Yes
Valid Driver's License Required
Yes
Union Code
FOP-Fraternal Order of Police
Salary Range
$27.81 Minimum Hourly Rate