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Do You Have What It Takes To Be a Police Officer?
Do you have what it takes to become a police officer?
In recent times Law Enforcement has undergone significant change, and with the change have come greater opportunities, more varied and interesting roles and exciting challenges.
The Police Profession now provides a career that is likely to suit a broader range of people from the community, and in fact we are looking for a very diverse mix of people when recruiting.
It is significant that many people who inquire about a career in law enforcement find out that it is a vastly different career to what their original perceptions were. This website is designed to give you information about some of the many roles within the Police Profession and the steps you need to take to become a police officer.
It gives you details about the qualifications and skills needed to be a successful applicant and the application process.
If you think you have what it takes…Step forward!
General Information
You may have some idea of the type of police work you wish to do. However, the duties of a police officer are much more extensive than most people realize.
In addition to graduating from the Academy as a police officer, you will also complete a 960-hour, 24 week Field Training Program with the Jaffrey Police Department. You will receive a large amount of training in police work and will have gained the skills necessary to perform your duties.
The Jaffrey Police Department is a full-time police department staffed 24-hours a day. There are 12 full-time police officers and several part-time police officers. Although the Jaffrey Police Department does not have specialized units as Vice, Homicide, Robbery and Burglary, we pride ourselves on being a well rounded department, giving all officers the training and skills necessary to handle a wide array of incidents, investigations and crimes.
Conditions that may be encountered
During this period your training will be ongoing and your performance will be continually monitored. You will not be eligible for special details or overtime shifts during this time.
Policing can be challenging and there are aspects of the work which require patience and excellent interpersonal skills. Shift work is an integral part of an officer's life. There are exciting career opportunities for those who seek promotion, depending on job performance and leadership potential.
The Jaffrey Police Department recognizes the need for ongoing training and staff development. Officers are encouraged to participate in those specialist courses which can lead ultimately to responsibilities in specialized areas or promotions.
Conditions of service include
- Attractive commencement salary of $47,385 during training with an increase to $48,808 on receipt of certification; there are eight additional pay grades spaced out over 8 years with top patrol officer salary of $64,910.
- Union Contract guaranteeing described benefits
- 12 sick days earned per year with 90 day cap. Option to received payment of 75% of sick leave at time of retirement with at least 10 years service to the department
- One week vacation to start - increases graduated scale to 4 weeks after 12 years service
- All equipment and uniforms provided to officers.
- Tuition reimbursement (graduated scale)
- Yearly college incentive
- Yearly physical fitness incentive
- Paid membership to physical fitness facility
- Overtime after 8 hours worked and double-time and a half on holidays.
- Holidays, Comp Time and Vacation time count as time worked.
- 11 paid holidays
- 4-hour overtime minimum for court proceedings
- Detail rate equal to Sergeant II overtime rate
Where could a career with the Jaffrey Police Department lead?
The Jaffrey Police Department has a wide range of duties, which officers may undertake during their career. These duties are administered within the major portfolio groups of Traffic and Operations Support, Crime Support, and Professional Standards, These include:
- Child Abuse Investigation
- Crime Prevention
- Detective
- Drug Crime Investigation
- General Policing
- Juvenile Services
- Defensive Tactics Instructor
- OC Instructor
- Burglary Investigations
- Evidence Technician
- Missing Person Investigation
- Recruiting and Marketing
- Crime Scene Investigation
- Traffic Patrol
- Training and Development
- Citizen's Police Academy
- Firearm's Instructor
- Baton Instructor
- General Investigations
The next step
With all these opportunities ahead of you, it is now time to move on to the next page and find out if you can meet the criteria to make an application to join the Jaffrey Police Department.
Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities
Essential Functions of a Probationary Jaffrey Police Officer Basic Purpose:
To enforce motor vehicle and criminal laws in order to protect the lives and property of the public, maintain law and order, detect and prevent crimes, apprehend suspects and prosecute violators.
Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities
- Arrests suspects, forcibly if necessary, using handcuff and other restraints; subdues resisting suspects using maneuvers, approved weapons, and hands and feet in self-defense.
- Writes investigative and other reports, including sketches, using appropriate grammar, symbols and mathematical computations.
- Assesses situations to determine when there is reasonable suspicion to detain, when probable cause exists to search and arrest, and when and to what degree force may be used.
- Operates a law enforcement vehicle during both day and night; in emergency situations involving speeds in excess of posted limits, in congested traffic and in unsafe road conditions caused by factors such as fog, smoke, rain, ice and snow.
- Conducts visual and audio surveillance for extended periods of time and communicates effectively and coherently over law enforcement radio channels while initiating and responding to radio communication.
- Gathers information in criminal investigations by interviewing and obtaining statements of victims, witnesses, suspects, and confidential informers.
- Pursues fleeing suspects which may involve quickly entering and exiting patrol vehicles; lifting, carrying, and dragging heavy objects; climbing over obstacles; jumping from elevated surfaces; climbing through openings; jumping over obstacles, ditches, and streams; crawling in confined areas; balancing on uneven or narrow surfaces and using body force to gain entrance through barriers.
- Unloads, load, aims and fires handguns and other firearms from a variety of body positions under stressful conditions that justify the use of deadly force and at levels of proficiency prescribed in certification standards.
- Performs traffic enforcement and law enforcement patrol functions within assigned patrol area and according to established laws and procedures in order to reduce loss of property and life and ensure safe and orderly flow of traffic.
- Intervenes in disputes to restore peace and ensure safety of the public and parties involved, including confronting hostile persons, mediating disputes, and advising of rights and process.
- Reads and comprehends legal and non-legal documents and demonstrates communication skill to prosecute cases in court and other formal settings.
- Searches people, vehicles, buildings, and outdoor areas to detect and collect evidence and substances that provide the basis of criminal offenses and infractions; detains suspicious persons or vehicles.
- Performs rescue functions at accidents, emergencies and disasters to include directing traffic, administering emergency medical aid, and evacuating people away from dangerous situations.
- Processes and transports prisoners and committed mental patients using hand restraints and other appropriate restraints.
- Successfully completes formal training such as at the Police Standards and Training Academy to develop skill and proficiency in law enforcement techniques.
Distinguished Factors:
Working Conditions: Requires performing regular job assignments in extremely disagreeable or dangerous working environment with continuous exposure to an incontrollable number of hazardous elements, including occupational accidents, injuries, or diseases which result in total disability or death.
Physical Demands: Requires medium to heavy work, including continuous physical exertion such as frequent bending, lifting, or climbing.
Application Criteria
Educational level: Completion of high school diploma, GED or its equivalent. A college degree is strongly desired, but not required.
Experience: Police and Military experience is strongly desired, but not required.
License/Certification: Upon appointment, candidates must successfully obtain a Full/Part-time New Hampshire Police Officer Certification through New Hampshire Police Standards and Training Council
Special Requirements:
- Age: Must be at least 21 years of age by the closing date for application submittal established on the current recruitment announcement.
- Examinations: Applicants must successfully participate in a written examination and interviews measuring possession of essential knowledge, skills, and abilities. Applicants must also be able to pass a physical qualification test designed to measure ability to perform physically demanding tasks encountered in job performance.
- General: The successful applicant must be able to perform all of the essential job functions of an inexperienced law enforcement officer, unassisted, and at a pace and level of performance consistent with the actual job performance requirements. This requires a high level of physical ability to include vision, hearing, speaking, flexibility, and strength. If physical problems are discovered during the medical exam and the examiner feels this would impair the ability of the applicant to perform essential job functions, this will be a cause for disqualification. A thorough character investigation and reference check of each candidate will be made before appointment. Candidates who do not have a conviction free record of serious offenses will be ineligible for appointment.
- Police Officer Certification: Candidates must be able to obtain police officer certification within the time frame established by the New Hampshire Police Standards and Training Council, OR, be in possession of police officer certification from a recognized jurisdiction at the time of appointment.
Recommended Work Traits:
- Ability to perform physically demanding tasks
- Ability to operate a motor vehicle
- Ability to learn the use of firearms and other law enforcement equipment
- Ability to exercise tact, diplomacy, and impartiality in relation to others
- Ability to make decisions based on common sense and good judgment
- Ability to resolve stressful situations
- Ability to comprehend and comply with written and oral directions
- Ability to write reports
- Ability to comply with and enforce federal, state and local laws
- Ability to increase competency through training and instruction
- Ability to communicate orally and in writing
- Ability to make orders and accept supervision
- Must be willing to maintain appearance appropriate to assigned duties and responsibilities as determined by the agency appointing authority
Personal Characteristics
Since Law Enforcement Officers are required to enforce the law they are exposed to certain temptations to show favoritism, corruption, or unlawful monetary gain, it is a "business necessity" that officers exhibit a history and characteristics of honesty, reliability, ability to manage personal finances, interpersonal skills, and integrity.
Non-Certified Applicants:
Applicants who are not NH Full-Time certified police officers or Full-Time certified police officers in another state, which NH Police Standards and Training Council recognizes, will be required to complete a written exam, physical fitness test, oral board, psychological exam, polygraph exam, drug screen and physical. An intensive background investigation will also be conducted.
Certified Police Officers:
The Jaffrey Police Department reserves the right to waive the written entrance exam and other components as we see fit. However, all applicants will be subjected to an intense background investigation. The psychological exam and polygraph exam are also required components of the hiring process.
Personal Background
The Jaffrey Police Department is seeking only the most qualified individuals for positions as police officers. The purpose of the personal background qualifications is to obtain specific information regarding the applicant's background, integrity, honesty, ethics, and abilities, so that the standards of law enforcement as a profession may continue to rise. The personal conduct of each person being considered for a conditional offer of employment, especially conduct related to criminal or unethical behavior, is considered critically important in determining acceptability for a police officer position. Therefore, an applicant WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE is he or she has:
- Used marijuana within 12 months
- Illegally used a controlled substance, other than marijuana, within 36 months; unless applicant was under 21 years of age at the time of use, in which case 24 months shall apply
- Manufactured, transported for sale, or sold a controlled substance
- Used a controlled substance while employed in a law enforcement capacity
- Been dishonorably discharged from military service
- Been convicted of a felony
- Been convicted of a misdemeanor involving dishonesty, unlawful sexual conduct, physical violence, controlled substances, moral turpitude, or any offense which would cause a reasonable person to doubt the applicant's character, honest, or ability. A complete list of examples is available upon request.
Physical Fitness Requirements
The Jaffrey Police Department administers physical fitness tests as a requirement for appointment. The standards utilized are the same as those required by the NH Police Standards and Training Council. Information contained herein is located in the Administrative Rules, Training Rules, and Technical Assistance Manual published by NH Police Standards and Training Council.
Do not take the physical fitness test lightly. It is more difficult than it appears. Your chances for passing the test will be greatly increased if adequate preparatory training has been undertaken. Physical training should emphasize cardio-respiratory (heart/lung) fitness, strength and muscular endurance, and flexibility. Running, weight training, and stretching exercises are three of the best approaches.
Test Battery
Candidates must pass ALL events to be appointed by the Jaffrey Police Department and/or to gain admission to the NH Police Academy.
One-Repetition Bench Press
This is a test of adequate muscular strength, or the amount of tension a muscle can exhibit in one maximal contraction. Since the bench press goes through the full range of motion, it correlates well with total body strength criterion. The equipment required is either a barbell bench and a barbell set, or a Universal D.V.R., with adequate weight capacity. The person in charge estimates the weight that an individual can press in one maximum effort, by loading the weights to either about one-half the estimated maximum weight, or for males, two-thirds of their body weight; or for females, one-half of their body weight. The individual is then instructed to press this weight once, for an easy warm-up. The weight is then increased to the target weight. The person will attempt to lift the target weight
once. The person will then be asked to lift weights one time in additional increments until they reach the maximum effort. The score is the maximum pounds lifted in one repetition. (If universal equipment is used, record the numbers on the right.) Entry will be at the 35th and exit at the 50th percentile for Academy standards.
Bench Press
|
Males |
Females |
Age |
Entry |
Entry |
18-29 |
.96 |
.58 |
30-39 |
.86 |
.52 |
40-49 |
.78 |
.48 |
50-59 |
.70 |
.43 |
60+ |
.65 |
.41 |
(Multiply x Body Weight)
Push-Ups
These test muscular endurance, or the ability to contract the muscles repeatedly over a period of time, which indicates efficiency in movement and the capacity to do work. It focuses on the shoulder girdle (deltoids, pectorals, and triceps) that is important in defensive tactics, handcuffing, and rescue operations. Candidates must keep their legs and back straight and knees off the ground at all times and from the "up" position, lower themselves to the floor until their chest touches to within 3", then push to the "up" position again. The total number of push-ups with correct form are recorded as the score. There is no time limit on this test. Females are allowed to use the modified female push-up position (knees touching floor and feet crossed). Entry will be at the 35th and exit
at the 50th percentile.
Push-Ups
|
Males |
Females |
Age |
Entry |
Entry |
18-29 |
27 |
22 |
30-39 |
21 |
17 |
40-49 |
16 |
11 |
50-59 |
11 |
10 |
60+ |
9 |
4 |
Sit-Ups
This event measures the muscular endurance of the abdominal area, which is important in the prevention of injuries while doing police work. The candidate lies on his/her back, knees bent, heels flat on the floor, with a partner holding the feet down, then does as many sit-ups in correct form as possible in one minute. Starting in the "up" position, with hands cupped around the ears, candidates must touch their elbows to their knees, and both shoulders should touch the floor in the "down" position. If the hands come off the ears, the sit-up is not counted. The score is the number of correct sit-ups in one minute. Entry will be at the 35th and exit at the 50th percentile.
Sit-Ups
|
Males |
Females |
Age |
Entry |
Entry |
18-29 |
37 |
31 |
30-39 |
33 |
24 |
40-49 |
28 |
19 |
50-59 |
22 |
12 |
60+ |
18 |
5 |
1.5 Mile Timed Run
This is a test of the aerobic power that is so important to police officers when responding physically in an emergency situation. This test requires a nearly exhaustive effort, or at least at the level of the higher intensities at which the individual has been training. It takes place on an indoor or outdoor track equal to 1.5 miles, or other suitable, relatively level running area, and is measured with a stopwatch. Participants should not eat for at least two hours before the test. The individual should do some stretching and warm-up exercises prior to the test. Candidates will enter the academy at the 35th and exit after 12 weeks at the 50th percentile.
1.5 Mile Timed Run
|
Males |
Females |
Age |
Entry |
Entry |
18-29 |
13:06 |
15:48 |
30-39 |
13:53 |
16:23 |
40-49 |
14:47 |
16:59 |
50-59 |
15:53 |
18:09 |
60+ |
16:58 |
18:54 |
Placement in Pool of Candidates
After an applicant has successfully completed all the assessments at or above the required levels and are deemed competitive by a Selection Review Panel, they will be placed in a selection 'pool', from which recruits are selected when required.
Selection to the "pool" does not guarantee appointment to the Jaffrey Police Department. An applicant may remain in the selection pool for up to 12 months. If not selected in that time, they will be required to complete the evaluation process again to be eligible for selection
Recruit Selection
Selection of recruits for appointment with the Jaffrey Police Department is an ongoing process and dependant on the needs of the agency.
The Selection and Review Panel consists of members of the Jaffrey Police Department and other relevant personnel as may be considered necessary, to make an unbiased selection of the most suitable persons from the pool.
In selecting recruits, consideration is given to their integrity, honesty, evaluation results, interview outcomes and general information provided or obtained during the application process. This information is available to each panel member from the application files maintained throughout the application process. The applicant is not present during this selection process.
The highest results in the entrance or physical evaluation, interview or psychological tests do not necessarily mean automatic selection, however they do increase the opportunity to be considered for selection. As such, it is in the best interests of any applicant to ensure that they are fully conversant with the application process and have prepared themselves to the best of their ability prior to submitting an application to join the Jaffrey Police Department.
The successful applicants now become prospective candidates for employment and after the background investigation, will be notified in writing of their selection.
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