Bill Text: NJ S3856 | 2024-2025 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Requires use of prior military service to extend maximum age for appointment to State Police.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2024-11-18 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee [S3856 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2024-S3856-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator LATHAM TIVER
District 8 (Atlantic and Burlington)
Co-Sponsored by:
Senator Amato
SYNOPSIS
Requires use of prior military service to extend maximum age for appointment to State Police.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning the maximum age for appointment to the State Police and amending R.S.53:1-9.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. R.S.53:1-9 is amended to read as follows:
R.S.53:1-9. No person shall be appointed a member of the State Police unless he shall be a citizen of the United States between the ages of 21 and 35 years, preferably a resident of this State, of good health and good moral character. The maximum age of 35 years shall be extended by one year for each year of active duty military service in any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States, not to exceed a total of six years.
No one shall be appointed who has not applied for and taken an examination conducted by the Division of State Police, and established to the satisfaction of the superintendent, evidence of his mental and physical fitness and ability to perform the duties of a member of the State Police.
Preference in appointment shall be provided to all qualified applicants who are veterans, as defined in N.J.S.11A:5-1. The superintendent shall, with the approval of the Governor, arrange for the examination and enlistment of applicants.
(cf: P.L.2014, c.51, s.1)
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill extends the maximum age for appointment to the New Jersey State Police for applicants who have served in the military.
Under current law, no person over the age of 35 may be appointed to the State Police. This bill provides that the maximum age of 35 years is to be extended by one year for each year of active duty military service in any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States, with a maximum extension of six years.
The sponsor states that veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States gain valuable experience from their military service which make them uniquely qualified for public service employment. The sponsor intends for this bill to increase opportunities for veterans by extending the age limit for appointment to the State Police. This will enhance the ability of the State Police to recruit qualified and skilled candidates, which will benefit both veterans and the State.
