Each year Cape May County Police Departments hire approximately 350 additional special police officers to work during the summer season from May through October. This is necessary due to the influx of tourist into the communities. Populations of towns increase over ten fold during this time.

These special law enforcement officers work side by side with the full time officers and are fully trained at the Cape May County Police Academy. These officers work different assignments that include, community policing, patrol vehicle, bicycle patrol, and marine patrol. Whether walking a beat, patrolling in a vehicle, on a bicycle, or a quad on the beach, these "summer police officers" are vital to the shore communities.

Many of these officers are college students that earn college credits while working the summer. Some want the work experience to add to their resume. Some want the college credits that can be applied for after graduating from the police academy. While some just want to experience an exciting and challenging summer job at the seashore. Many of these officers go on to become full time police officers and credit this experience as the catalyst.

Please read about each special law enforcement classification and the responsibilities associated with them before checking out the employment opportunities with departments listed below.

 

These officers are empowered to issue summons for motor vehicle violations, city ordinance violations, petty disorderly persons violations and disorderly persons violations. Their primary duty is crowd control. Many of these officers are assigned to the bicycle patrol units, the boardwalk beat or beach area.

These officers recieve two weeks of formal training, 80 hours, at the Cape May County Police Academy that includes classes on criminal law, report writing, motor vehicle law, use of force responsibility to the community, CPR and first aid, handcuffing, baton and self defense techniques. These officers do not carry a firearm. They receive New Jersey State certification as a Class One Special Law Enforcement Officer.Salary ranges from $8.00 - $10.50 per hour.

These officers have the same authority and arrest powers as a full time police officer while they are employed. In addition to the above responsibilities they can make arrest for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th degree crimes. Additionally they have the responsibility of carrying a firearm.

The training is intense and requires 481 hours of training at the Cape May County Police Academy. The academy runs two courses for Class Two Officers. A part time academy during the winter from December to May with classes being held three evenings per week and most Saturdays. A second class is held for eight weeks from the beginning of May to the end of June with classes running six days per week.

The course of study includes, history of law enforcement, the NJ court system, community responsibility, criminal law, arrest search and seizure, use of force, patrol vehicle operations, motor vehicle law, first responder emergency rescue, firearms, PR-24 baton, chemical agents, self-defense, patrol tactics, criminal law, communications, report wrriting, court room testimony, military drill, and physical fitness. Graduating Officers can apply for college credits at Atlantic Cape Community College and receive full New Jersey State Special Law Enforcement Certification at graduation. Officers can apply for a waiver of some training when hired as full time police officers.

These officers are usually assigned to work side by side the full time officers usually assigned to patrol vehicle duty, special squads or marine units. Salary ranges from $8.50 - $12.50 per hour.

 

Ten of the fourteen law enforcement agencies in Cape May County are controlled by the New Jersey Department of Personnel for testing purposes. The remaining three have their own testing procedures. Some require college degrees. Most departments require residency during the application process.

Cape May County is an interesting place to be employed as a police officer as the county's population increases ten fold in the summer months due to most towns being tourist seashore resorts. Cape May County Police Departments offer their officers an unusual amount of in-service training. They are some of the finest trained in the state. Explore what Cape May County is all about at www.co.cape-may.nj.us . Find out what Cape May County has to offer you as a resident and what a great place it is to raise a family.