How to get a job in New Jersey as a police dispatcher?

Answer 1

http://www.state.nj.us/njsp/ems/odb.html

Answer 2

NJ Police Dispatchers are civilian, non law enforcement emergency personnel. They can be hired through the civil service system or appointed by agency depending on the agencies hiring system. Some agencies require dispatchers to be EMT certified as well as 911 and CPR certified, others do not. There are some private emergency medical service companies that offer courses in emergency dispatch and upon completion can help place you in a job position as a police dispatcher. You can contact the NJ Department of Personnel and inquire about job openings or just watch your local paper for advertisements. You can also call the local municipalities and inquire with them. Be sure to call the borough hall and speak with the administrator not the police dept. The borough halls handle all hirings. Some things to think about. You will have the same stress level and maybe even more then the police officer does. You will be involved with every single call that comes into that police dept, unlike the officer that is only involved in the calls that he is dispatched too. You dont have a choice, you have to pick up that ringing phone. You also have the same liability that an officer does. You are liable for anything you do, or dont do. You also may wind up working the same rotating shift as officers do, but keep in mind you will be lucky if you make 40% of what the officer makes. The average salary for a police dispatcher in NJ is roughly $30,500 after 5 years of service and start at an average of $22,500. where a police officer is about $72,500 after 5 years of service and start at an average of $35,500. Unfortunately you can make more as an assistant manager of McDonalds (Training starts at $36,000) than a police dispatcher. That is so backwards. A dispatcher can face a life or death situation on any phone call. The McDonalds asst manager (not that there is anything wrong with working there) has to worry about if the fries are up yet. In closing, if your intentions are to work as a dispatcher to use it as a stepping stone to be an officer, be careful. This idea can work but if you are in a civil service agency you still have to take, pass and finish high enough on the police officer exam to be hired. Better off working for a town that gives a "Chiefs test" to hire police officers. Your odds are much better to get hired as an officer. Also its a good job for someone in school looking for experience and extra money while taking classes. We get retiree's that want to work here but just cant handle it, you will be doind 6-7 things at once and they all have to be right the first time. This is not a position for a retiree unless you are a retired officer. As a career, it can be rewarding but there is a big "burn out rate" and the pay does not help this matter at all. I see some of my guys getting burnt out more and more everyday. I wish the system would change and pay these people what they are worth.

Answer 3

Call your local police department and ask. Normally, you'd have to take an exam, provide references, and pass a background check, but requirements can vary depending on which department you apply to.

Answer 4

well for starters....do u have an criminal justice background???? that would be most helpful...here in Texas you would have to be TECLOS certified...u must have something like that in your state...contact your local PD and ask them...obviously call the non-emg #