Police examination delayed indefinitely

Police entrance exam postponed due to concerns with the hiring process.

By: Joseph Harvie
   The South Brunswick police entrance exam scheduled for Saturday has been postponed indefinitely by Township Manager Matthew Watkins.
   Mr. Watkins said he had concerns about the "inclusiveness of the current hiring process," according to a press release issued by the South Brunswick Police Department.
   Concerns about the hiring process aired by the PBA, Local 166, and Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 51, which represents rank and file and senior officers respectively, to the Township Council at its April 12 meeting prompted the postponement, according to the release.
   At the council meeting about 55 members of the Police Department requested that the Township Council postpone the exam.
   Members of the unions said last week that postponing the test would allow more candidates because under current hiring guidelines, a candidate needs 60 college credits. Members of the unions said that since most colleges do not get out for the semester until the middle of May, postponing the exam could bring more potential officers into the hiring pool.
   The union members also said the department needs to hire 10 new police offers. They requested that certified officers, or officers who have completed police academy training, and officers with previous experience, be given priority when new officers are being considered.
   The officers also requested that Mr. Watkins allow military experience to count as college credits.
   The FOP was requesting that two years of active service count as 30 college credits. The PBA was requesting that four years of active military experience be equivalent to the two years of college.
   Mr. Schmalz said Mr. Watkins wants to wait until all of the concerns of the two unions are looked at before the exam is given.
   The release also said Mr. Watkins has been in discussions with members of the police unions as well as police administration to enhance the testing process.
   He will announce a new test date as soon as the issues are addressed.