Governor Phil Murphy • Lt. Governor Tahesha Way

Join the New Jersey Department of Corrections

As a NJDOC Correctional Police Officer, you will be responsible for ensuring the custody, safety, and care of State-sentenced incarcerated individuals in any of NJDOC’s correctional facilities. The goals of a NJDOC Correctional Police Officer are:

  • To provide public safety and security through the custody and management of individuals incarcerated within the criminal justice system.
  • To ensure the safety and welfare of the staff and incarcerated population.
  • To assist in the rehabilitative efforts for those incarcerated individuals returning to the community.
  • To promote public support for the operation and objectives of the Department of Corrections.

Learn more about NJDOC’s mission and the role of a NJDOC Correctional Police Officer here: ABOUT

NJDOC Correctional Police Officers enjoy a starting salary of $51,400*, with the potential to earn in excess of $100,000* (*as of July 2024). Learn more about salaries and pay here: SALARY & BENEFITS

In addition to pay, NJDOC Correctional Police Officers enjoy a wide variety of benefits. Some of these benefits include, but are not limited to:

  • Health and Dental coverage
  • Vision reimbursement
  • Paid Time Off and leaves
  • Disability benefits
  • Military benefits
  • Life insurance
  • Retirement benefits
  • Tuition reimbursement

Get detailed information about benefits here: SALARY & BENEFITS

NJDOC Correctional Police Officers have membership in the Police and Firemen’s Retirement System (PFRS). Detailed information on the New Jersey State Pension system may be found at: https://www.nj.gov/treasury/pensions/.

NJDOC does its best to place new Correctional Police Officers in their preferred work location, typically based on the individual’s current place of residence. However, placement assignments are also based on operational needs. As such, NJDOC cannot guarantee that an officer will be assigned to their preferred facility.

NJDOC also allows officers of any rank to transfer to other available positions within their current institution or to a different facility altogether – an officer may request these types of transfers at any time during their career at NJDOC.

As the largest law enforcement agency in the State of New Jersey, NJDOC Correctional Police Officers can explore a variety of career paths within the Department. A detailed list of those opportunities within various units and divisions can be found here: CAREER PATHS

Individuals interested in applying to become a NJDOC Correctional Police Officer are not required to take the Civil Service Exam.

All applicants must meet the following requirements to become a NJDOC Correctional Police Officer:

  • Education – Applicants must have received a high school diploma or its equivalent. It is required that applicants must read and write English sufficiently to perform the duties of the position.
  • Age – Applicants must be a minimum of 18 years of age.
  • Citizenship – Applicants must be a U.S. citizen.
  • License – Applicants will be required to possess a driver’s license that is valid in the State of New Jersey. Applicants for this position must also be eligible to possess a firearm, in accordance with State and Federal law.
  • Background – Applicants must successfully pass a background check. A thorough investigation will be conducted on each applicant. Areas of investigation include employment history, driving history, domestic violence history and criminal history.
  • Medical – Applicants will be given a thorough medical and psychological examination. Applicants must also provide urine samples for analysis to determine drug use.

Applicants must also meet certain physical fitness and residency requirements to become a NJDOC Correctional Police Officer. See detailed information on these requirements here: QUALIFICATIONS

Each applicant must pass the NJ Police Training Commission’s Physical Training Assessment, which includes the following basic physical fitness requirements:

  • Minimum of 24 pushups in one (1) minute
  • Minimum of 28 sit-ups in one (1) minute
  • 15-inch vertical jump
  • 300 meter run in 70.1 seconds or less
  • 5 mile run in 15 minutes 55 seconds or less

To help applicants increase their chances of successfully completing this Assessment, NJDOC offers the Pre-Employment Preparation Program (PEPP) to any interested applicant.

See detailed information on these fitness requirements and learn more about PEPP here: QUALIFICATIONS

The NJDOC adheres to the NJ First Act, which outlines residency requirements for most public officers and employees, including NJDOC Correctional Police Officers.

If you desire to become a NJDOC Correctional Police Officer but live in a neighboring state, you may apply to be exempted from the residency requirement.

See detailed information on these residency requirements and learn more about NJ First Act here: QUALIFICATIONS

As part of The Application Process, all applicants are required to adhere to a Full Background Investigation (Step 3) prior to enrolling at NJDOC’s Correctional Staff Training Academy. This investigation includes a check of an individual’s criminal and driving records and could impact the NJDOC’s decision to hire an applicant.

The totality of a background investigation will be considered when determining eligibility for employment. Therefore, NJDOC encourages applicants to be honest and truthful with all aspects of the background investigation – deception or omission of pertinent background information may be grounds for disqualification.

Applicants interested in becoming a NJDOC Correctional Police Officer must be at least 18 years of age to apply. While there are no age limits or cut offs to apply, all applicants must meet certain requirements (fitness, background checks, residency, etc.) to become a NJDOC Correctional Police Officer – see detailed information on these requirements here: QUALIFICATIONS

The NJDOC is an equal opportunity employer – the Department is proud of the diversity of its workforce and the inclusive affinity groups within the agency. As such, NJDOC respects all sexual orientations, and the sexual orientation of any applicant will not prohibit the individual from being hired as a NJDOC Correctional Police Officer.

To become a NJDOC Correctional Police Officer, applicants must follow this six-step process:

  • STEP 1 – Pre-Employment Processing
  • STEP 2 – Physical Fitness
  • STEP 3 – Background Investigation
  • STEP 4 – Medical Processing
  • STEP 5 – Academy Training
  • STEP 6 – Graduation

Learn more about the application process here: THE APPLICATION PROCESS

To start your application to become a NJDOC Correctional Police Officer, visit: APPLICATION

  • You will first fill out and submit a Basic Interest Questionnaire (online survey), which is linked on the Application page. Your response will be sent directly to one of our Recruitment Officers, who will contact you with next steps.
  • Then, you will access and start filling out your official Application (PDF), which is also linked on the Application page.

Start the process and learn more here: APPLICATION

Depending on when exactly a candidate submits their application, the process may take anywhere from two to six months. In certain extreme circumstances, this timeframe could be shortened.

There is no cost to apply to become a NJDOC Correctional Police Officer – click here to start your application today: APPLICATION

The start of the application process to become a NJDOC Correctional Police Officer requires applicants to:

  • Fill out and submit a General Interest Questionnaire (online survey), which is linked here: APPLICATION
  • OR provide basic information through one of our hiring sources, such as LinkedIn or ZipRecruiter, or by speaking with a recruitment officer at a job fair or recruitment event.

Your response/information will then be sent directly to one of our Recruitment Officers, who will contact you with next steps and to schedule a date for a formal in-person processing meeting.

All applications will be formally submitted IN PERSON by each applicant at the scheduled processing meeting – we do NOT accept any applications electronically or prior to that scheduled processing meeting, to ensure accuracy and receipt of all materials/information.

To become a NJDOC Correctional Police Officer, all applicants are subject to a comprehensive medical examination as part of their formal Application Process – this includes blood, vision, hearing test, chest x-ray, EKG and urine analysis testing. Once hired, officers of all ranks are required to submit to random urinalysis testing throughout the entirety of their careers with NJDOC.

Applications are only required to be submitted at the applicant’s scheduled in-person processing meeting. As such, an applicant may change, adjust or revise their application as many times as desired until its submission the day of their scheduled in-person processing meeting.

If at the time of your scheduled in-person processing meeting you realize you may have missed something, you will have another opportunity to make changes and should speak to a Recruitment Officer directly about your application. 

Please Note: No applications containing white-out or cross-out information will be accepted; if changes are required, the individual will need to complete/submit an entirely new, clean application.

We are always accepting new applicants that are interested in becoming a NJDOC Correctional Police Officer – there is no deadline to start the process.

Upon successful completion of Steps 1, 2, 3 & 4 of the Application Process, applicants are invited to NJDOC’s Correctional Staff Training Academy located in Sea Girt and required to complete an immersive, in-residence NJ Police Training Commission course. Detailed information about the NJDOC Training Academy can be found here: ACADEMY TRAINING

NJDOC’s Correctional Staff Training Academy is 19-weeks long. As part of this immersive NJ Police Training course, applicants are required to live onsite at the facility during this part of the application process. Detailed information about the NJDOC Training Academy can be found here: ACADEMY TRAINING

During their time at the Training Academy, applicants are considered Correctional Police Officer Apprentice and each apprentice is paid bi-weekly, based upon an annual salary of $43,000.

At the Academy, applicants receive the following training and instruction:

  • Physical Fitness – NJDOC’s Physical Education and Self-Defense Program emphasizes physical conditioning, which includes running and various strength building exercises.
  • Academic – see section below for detailed information on Law Enforcement curriculum.
  • Administrative & Codes
  • Defensive Tactics
  • Firearms & Weapons Safety
  • Drill & Ceremony

The academic portion of the Academy’s training includes a college-level course of studies (with examinations and written assignments) in the following areas of study:

  • Psychology and Sociology
  • Emergency Medical Care
  • Constitutional Law
  • Investigations
  • Weaponry & Unarmed Defense
  • Communications
  • Human Relations
  • Physical Conditioning
  • Correctional and Police Procedures

Detailed information about the NJDOC Training Academy can be found here: ACADEMY TRAINING

Prior to the start of Academy Training, a list of required equipment is provided to each recruit, and they are required to purchase that equipment and appropriate uniforms. During the Academy, recruits typically do not incur any other additional costs.

Upon graduation from the Academy, Correctional Police Officers who have collected and submit receipts for their required purchases (equipment and uniforms) are reimbursed up to $1,200.

When Academy Training is complete, each recruit will have a one (1) year probationary period as a Correctional Police Officer. Upon successful completion of the initial one (1) year probation, these Correctional Police Officers will then become a Senior Correctional Police Officer and will be subjected to an additional four (4) month probation period. 

You can follow any of NJDOC’s social media accounts for news and updates on hiring/recruitment – NJDOC is active on the following platforms:

NJDOC relies on a dedicated group of Recruitment Officers who are here to answer your questions regarding the recruitment process and help guide you on the next step in your career. Our Recruitment Officers provide:

  • Assistance with completing necessary documents/forms
  • Information on upcoming recruitment events
  • Guidance on required testing and assessments
  • Preparation for the Training Academy

You can view and monitor all upcoming recruitment events, processing dates, and application deadlines on our website here: CALENDAR

photo of a corrections officer knocking on a cell door

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