Join our Police Recruit Network

Selection Process

The Port Authority Police Officer selection process is competitive, consisting of a written examination, a physical performance test, a comprehensive background investigation, a medical examination, a psychological evaluation (including a written test and interviews), and other components as may be deemed necessary. 

For those currently in the selection process please click on: Police Class Information

APPLICATION PROCESS

When the application process is open, you will be required to fill out an application form. A random selection process is conducted to select names for the Police Officer evaluation process. There is no guarantee that filling out the interest form will ensure that you will become a candidate in the PAPD process. A $20 fee is required; this fee would be waived for those who meet the payment waiver criteria. Please join our recruitment network to stay informed on future recruitment activity. Please note we are not accepting applications at this time. 

WRITTEN EXAMINATION

Candidates selected to proceed in the process through the random selection will receive an email notifying them of their selection and instructions for registering and scheduling themselves for the PAPD Police Officer written test.

Written Exam: $20 fee is required; this fee would be waived for those who meet the payment waiver criteria

Candidates will receive notification of their written exam results.

To help prepare for the written exam please click on this Study Guide 

PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE TEST (Pre-Employment Job Simulation)

Candidates who pass the written exam will receive an email inviting them to register and schedule to take the Pre-Employment Job Simulation Physical Performance Test.

Physical Performance Test: $20 testing fee is required; this fee would be waived for those who meet the payment waiver criteria.

Candidates must consult with their physician to ensure it is safe to engage in the Police Physical Fitness Test Regiment.

Candidates must successfully complete a physical performance test and will receive notification of their results.

To help you prepare to be successful for the Physical Performance Test click on this video.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION

Employment as a Port Authority Police Officer is a public trust. Therefore, a comprehensive background investigation is conducted to ensure applicants possess the following:

  • Integrity
  • Sound moral character
  • Responsibility
  • Sense of service
  • Honor
  • Ethical judgement
  • Commitment

Completion of the Background Investigation and approval by the Port Authority Candidate Review Board: $40 Background Investigation fee required; this fee would be waived for those who meet the payment waiver criteria.

Prior to completing the application ask yourself if your personal experience demonstrates these fundamental characteristics. If you cannot confidently answer yes, please consider not continuing further.

Candidates will be automatically disqualified for any of the following circumstances:

  • Convicted of a Felony or indictable criminal act
  • Convicted of or plea agreement to any offense – Including any offense involving domestic violence - that would preclude applicant from legally owning and/or carrying a firearm. This would include any pre-trial intervention agreement that results in being legally precluded from owning/carrying a firearm
  • Convicted of any offense involving domestic violence
  • On probation or under indictment for an indictable offense currently or within the past twelve months
  • Dishonorably discharged from any branch of military service
  • Convicted more than once of any offense of driving while impaired or refusal within the last five years
  • Guilty of any motor vehicle violation five or more times within the past two years
  • Bench warrant issued for failing to appear in court for a motor vehicle charge or criminal charge on more than two occasions
  • Driving privileges suspended on more than two occasions on more than two dates
  • Convicted of selling, manufacturing or distributing any illegal Controlled Dangerous Substance
  • Candidates may also be disqualified if they demonstrate a history of disregard for the law, a tendency toward violence, termination from a job for poor behavior, or not adjusting to discipline.

Candidates who are recommended to proceed in the process by the Candidate Review Board will be made a contingent offer of employment and invited to the Psychological evaluation process.

PSYCHOLOGICAL & MEDICAL PROCESS

Successful completion of Psychological and Medical examinations are required. Prior to taking the psychological and medical exams, a contingent offer of employment as a police recruit to the Port Authority Police Academy is tendered to an applicant. It will be conditional upon successful completion of the psychological and medical examinations. Each potential police recruit will be required to present health records upon request. If the Office of Medical Services determines that an applicant is unable to perform the essential functions of the position, the contingent offer of employment will be rescinded.

Body Mass Index (BMI): Candidates with a BMI of 30 or greater will be referred for further testing to evaluate cardiovascular endurance and to rule out any related health risks.
HEARING: Candidates must not have an average hearing loss in the better ear greater than 40 decibels at 500 Hz, 1,000 Hz, and 2,000 Hz without a hearing aid for effective audio surveillance and communication.
VISION: Candidates must have uncorrected vision, of no less than 20/100 in each eye, and with corrected vision of no less than 20/40 in each eye for effective visual surveillance and correct identification of surrounding environment. Candidates must not have moderate or strong impairment of depth or color perception.

Note that the standards related to the medical information provided above is currently under review and subject to change.
Any medical condition will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine if it will interfere with the candidate’s ability to perform the essential functions of a Port Authority Police Officer.

POLICE ACADEMY TRAINING PROGRAM

While participating at the Police Academy, recruits will be required to qualify on academic, physical fitness and other standards such as, but not limited to: 

  • Firearms Training
  • Defensive Tactics
  • Emergency Medical Response (EMR)
  • Water Safety
  • Fire Rescue
  • Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) 

Only those candidates who meet the required achievement standards will graduate from the Academy and be considered for appointment to the Port Authority Police Department.

SUMMARY OF FEES

  • $20 Written Exam fee
  • $20 Physical Performance Test fee
  • $40 Background Investigation fee

All fees will be waived for qualified candidates who request and meet the specified criteria for a payment waiver. Details on the fee waiver request process will be provided when the application period opens. All fees are non-refundable / non-transferable.

Join our Police Recruitment Network to stay informed on the different stages of the selection process

 

 

Join our Police Recruitment Network