WEST ORANGE, NJ — The West Orange Police Department is currently seeking applicants for the position of auxiliary police officer. Applications can be obtained at the Community Services Unit, 92 Washington St. in West Orange. There will be an open house meeting for interested candidates on Thursday, April 14, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Washington Street station. Any person interested in applying for the position is invited to attend the open house to obtain further information. For further questions and information, contact the Community Services Unit at 973-325-4038.
Auxiliary police are uniformed members of the West Orange Police Department who help deter crime through regular patrols and by providing assistance at major incidents. The program welcomes people with a sense of community and public service, or who have an interest in a future career in law enforcement.
The following information was provided by the township:
Who are the volunteer auxiliary police?
They are civic-minded men and women who volunteer to assist their local police department by performing uniformed patrol in their communities. They are recruited, trained and equipped by the police department. They come from many diverse backgrounds and a myriad of occupations throughout the city, such as computer programmers, mechanics, merchants, nurses, security guards, school teachers, students, etc.
What are their functions?
Auxiliary police provide extra “eyes and ears” for the police department by performing uniformed foot and vehicle patrols. They are trained to observe and report conditions requiring the services of the regular police. Whenever possible, they assist in non-enforcement and non-hazardous duties. The following are some areas in which the auxiliary police assist the police department:
- residential and commercial areas;
- community festivals, parades, concerts, street fairs and park patrols;
- perimeter of houses of worship;
- crime prevention activities; and
- traffic control.
What are the requirements?
You must:
- be at least 18 or older;
- be in good health;
- have a high school diploma or equivalent;
- have proof of good character and satisfactory background;
- never have been convicted of a felony or arrested for a serious crime that would prevent acceptance;
- comply with Zero Tolerance Department drug policy;
- be able to read and write English;
- be a U.S. citizen;
- live in the township of West Orange or a bordering township that does not offer an auxiliary police unit; and
- possess a valid New Jersey driver’s license.
What type of training is involved?
Auxiliary officers are required to complete an initial state-mandated training academy held by the Essex County Police Academy. The training academy is approximately 12 weeks in duration. Upon graduation from the training academy, the minimum contribution to the unit is eight hours of volunteer time per month.
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