Eligibility Requirements

Minimum Requirements to Participate

To be admitted into this evaluation you must meet all of the following requirements. Failure to meet and provide appropriate documentation that demonstrates fulfillment of these requirements will result in your disqualification from the Police Officer Evaluation.

Age: Candidates must be at least 19 years old to take the test.  To be appointed to the Police Academy, candidates must be at least 21 years of age and not have reached their 35th birthday at the time of appointment to the Police Academy Training Program.  If you are a Military Veteran who might be 35 years of age or older at the time of appointment to the Police Academy, for the next three (3) years, the Port Authority will allow veterans to deduct up to six (6) years of active military service from their age.

Prior Convictions and Violations: Candidates will be automatically disqualified for any of the following circumstances:

• Convicted of a felony
• Conviction of or plea agreement to any offense - including any offense involving domestic violence - that would preclude you from legally owning and/or carrying a firearm. This would also include any pre-trial intervention agreement that results in your being legally precluded from owning/carrying a firearm
• Currently (or were within the last 12 months preceding the date of this announcement) on probation for an indictable offense
• Convicted more than once of any offense of driving while intoxicated
• Dishonorably discharged from any branch of military service or law enforcement agency
• Pled to or been found guilty of any motor vehicle violation five or more times within the past two years
• Had, on more than two occasions, a bench warrant issued for your having failed to appear in court for a motor vehicle charge or any criminal charge

Education: In order to take the test, you must have earned at least a high school diploma or a GED.  Further, if you pass the test, you must have completed either of the following in order to continue in the evaluation:

1. A minimum of 60 college credits from an accredited college or university; or
2. An honorable discharge from the United States Military after serving a minimum of two full years of continuous active duty.

Failure to provide proof that you have satisfied either the college education or military service requirement by the date an invitation is made to you will result in your disqualification from any further consideration as a Police Officer Candidate.

Citizenship: Candidates must be citizens of the United States at the time of appointment to the Police Academy Training Program.

Driver’s License: Candidates must possess a valid motor vehicle driver’s license at the time of appointment to the Police Academy Training Program.

 Medical Prerequisites: Candidates must meet the medical and physical standards established by the Port Authority Office of Medical Services.

Application/Fingerprint Fees:  A $65 non-refundable/non-transferable application fee is required. In addition, candidates who are selected from the 2013 Eligible Pool for further consideration will be charged a non-refundable/non-transferable $35 fingerprint fee at the time of selection. The application and/or fingerprint fee will be waived for qualified candidates who meet the specified criteria for a payment waiver.

Police Officer Selection Process

The selection process begins on May 10, 2013 with an open enrollment period, which closes on midnight June 17, 2013, during which candidates apply to take the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Officer test. Testing will take place from May 11, 2013 to June 23, 2013 at computer-based test administration centers located throughout New York and New Jersey and select cities across the United States (i.e., Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Seattle, and Washington, D.C.). Candidates who pass the test are placed on an Eligible Pool. The 2013 Eligible Pool, established through the current test, will be used to meet the future needs of the Port Authority. Each time a class is needed, the Port Authority will randomly draw a number of applicants from the Eligible Pool for invitation to the remaining stages of the selection process. The full selection process is outlined below.

The Port Authority Police Officer Evaluation process includes a computer administered test, a medical examination, a background investigation, laboratory tests, a psychological evaluation (including a written test and interviews), and other components as deemed necessary.

Only those candidates who successfully complete all of the evaluation components will be considered for appointment to the Police Academy Training Program.  Only those candidates who successfully complete the academic, physical and other Police Academy requirements will be considered for appointment to the position of Port Authority Police Officer.

Background Investigation:A comprehensive background investigation will include, but is not limited to a review of the candidate’s academic, employment and entire personal history, including a fingerprint check with appropriate law enforcement agencies. Candidates must demonstrate that they are of good moral character. Any felony conviction is grounds for automatic disqualification. Candidates must not have a history of criminal or improper conduct or a history of poor employment (including performance and absence), credit rating, military or driving records, which would affect suitability for Port Authority of New York and New Jersey law enforcement work. Candidates will be required to sign appropriate authorizations and waivers that will permit full investigation and complete disclosure of personal history information. Candidates who do not report their complete background record may be disqualified. A $35 non-refundable/non-transferable finger print fee will be required of candidates who qualify on the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Officer test and are selected for further consideration.

Medical Examination: Candidates must meet the medical and physical standards established by the Port Authority Office of Medical Services including:

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, 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.

Candidates will be required to pass a comprehensive medical examination, which includes laboratory testing and a psychological evaluation (including written tests and interviews). Candidates will be required to disclose their complete medical history and other appropriate information. Those who fail to do so may be disqualified.

The medical evaluation will be conducted to determine the candidate’s ability to perform the essential job functions of the position unassisted, and at a pace and level of performance consistent with the actual job performance requirements.

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.

You should expect to spend an entire day at the psychological written test and at least an additional full day for the physical examination and psychological interview.  A complete history of medical information and documentation will be required, along with a comprehensive physical examination.  The psychological evaluation process will include in-depth interviews, which focus on employment, personal and social history as well as honesty traits and habits to determine your suitability as a Port Authority Police Officer.  Failure to cooperate with the medical process in any way, or failure to be truthful and honest will result in removal from the selection process.

Application Process

The open enrollment process runs from May 10, 2013 to midnight June 17, 2013.  You must complete the application process within this timeframe.  After June 17, 2013, you will not be able to enter the application process.

Step 1:

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has partnered with the Performance Assessment Network (PAN), a leader in computer-based test administration, to administer the Police Officer Examination via computer at PAN test centers located throughout New York and New Jersey and select cities across the United States (i.e., Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Seattle, and Washington, D.C.).  To begin, you should read the Terms of Use and Privacy Statement related to the application process:

Terms of Use and Privacy Statement

To get started, you will need to create a PAN account.  To do so, access the web link below:

https://tara.vitapowered.com/papdexam/createaccount

You will be required to enter the following information:

• First Name
• Last Name
• Email Address
• Login ID  (We suggest using your email address)
• Password
• Alternate ID (You may leave this field blank)
• Postal (Zip) Code
• Last four digits of your Social Security Number
• Birth Date

When you click “Continue”, your PAN account will be created and you will receive an email from PAN confirming the creation of your PAN Account.  Once you have created a PAN account, do not create another PAN account.

We strongly encourage you to write down your PAN Login ID and Password for safekeeping, since you will need to access this account again later in the process.

It is critical that you keep your account information up-to-date. Your email address is especially important, since this will be the primary method in which you will receive communications regarding the application process. To edit your account information (change your email address for example): a) login to your PAN account, b) click on the “Profile” tab, where you will be able to update your information, and c) save the changes.

Technical Issues

Should you encounter technical problems with your PAN account or with this on-line application process, please contact PAN's Customer Support Center at PortAuthority_Support@panpowered.com and a PAN representative will assist you.  Please provide a detailed explanation of your question or the problem you are encountering, including screen shots, so that PAN representatives have sufficient information to respond to your question/issue.  Please allow 24 hours for a response.

If you have any questions related to the recruitment/selection process (e.g., job responsibilities, salary/benefits, eligibility requirements, the testing process, payment waiver requests, test accommodation requests, etc.), please contact the Police Recruitment Customer Service Center at 1.800.443.2891.

Use the web link below (also provided in the confirmation email you received when you created your PAN account) to re-access your PAN account:

https://tara.vitapowered.com/papdexam

Step 2:  After reading and accepting the Terms of Use and Privacy Statement related to the application process, you will be provided with further information about the application process and asked if you want to proceed with your application.

Step 3:  You will review the Eligibility Requirements for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey's Police Officer Selection Process and confirm that you meet prerequisite requirements.

Step 4:  You will provide additional information needed to track your application, including: First Name, Middle Initial, Last Name, Suffix, Primary Phone Number, Secondary Phone Number, Mailing Address, City, State, and Zip Code.

Step 5:  You will be presented with a set of demographic questions. Your responses will be used for reporting purposes and to determine applicant representation. These questions are voluntary and your answers, or refusal to answer, will not affect your eligibility for consideration.

Step 6:  You will be given the option to pay the $65 application fee using your personal or pre-paid credit card OR request a payment waiver if you meet the payment waiver requirements. 

If you submit a payment waiver request:

You will receive an email confirming the receipt of your payment waiver request and additional instructions for submitting the required documentation. Candidates will receive an email regarding the outcome of the payment waiver request (approved or denied) once it is determined. Candidates who submit a payment waiver request will not be able to move forward in the application process until their payment waiver request is either approved or denied. We strongly encourage candidates who are considering whether or not to submit a payment waiver request to review the payment waiver requirements carefully and contact the Police Recruitment Customer Service Center at 1.800.443.2891. We ask that you do this prior to submitting a request to ensure that you meet the requirements and can provide required documentation.

Step 7:  You will enter in your Personal or Pre-paid Credit Card Number, Expiration Date, Security Code, Card Holder's Name, and Billing Postal Code and submit for payment.  Note: only MasterCard, VISA, and American Express are accepted.  Once you submit your credit card for payment, your application fee is NON-REFUNDABLE.  Please ensure that you understand all of the eligibility requirements for the selection process prior to submitting your payment, and that you are fully committed to becoming a Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Officer.  (Note that candidates who are approved for a payment waiver will skip this step (Step 7) and proceed to Step 8.

Step 8:  You will have the opportunity to request a test accommodation, if needed, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

If you submit a test accommodation request:

You will receive an email confirming receipt of your test accommodation request and additional instructions regarding submitting the required documentation. Candidates will receive an email regarding the outcome of the test accommodation request (approved or denied) once it is determined. Candidates who submit a test accommodation request will not be able to move forward in the application process until their test accommodation request is approved, denied or the request is withdrawn. We strongly encourage candidates who are considering to submit a test accommodation request to contact the Police Recruitment Customer Service Center at 1-800-443-2891. Doing so prior to submitting the request will ensure that you meet the test accommodation requirements and can provide the required documentation.

Step 9: You will review PAN Test Center locations in New York and New Jersey and select cities across the United States (i.e., Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Seattle, and Washington, D.C.), and the dates and times available for scheduling your Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Officer examination. You will then select your examination session: the date, time and location. Note that we expect high demand at PAN Testing Centers as you will be in competition with thousands of other candidates for available test sessions. We strongly encourage you to schedule your test as soon as possible to ensure that you have access to test session dates, times and locations that are most convenient for you. Test session scheduling is on a "first come - first serve" basis.  As you apply later in the application process, your selection of PAN Test Center locations, test session dates and times may be limited.

Note: If you are unable to test during the May 11, 2013 through June 23, 2013 timeframe because of active military service, please contact the Police Recruitment Customer Service Center at 1-800-443-2891 for further information.

Once you schedule your test, you will receive an on-screen confirmation, and an email confirming your test appointment that includes directions to the PAN Test Center you selected.  You will receive reminder emails seven days and three days prior to your scheduled test date.

Note: no personal items are allowed in PAN Test Centers. Please familiarize yourself with the PAN Test Center rules and regulations prior to your test appointment.  This information will be provided in your test appointment confirmation email.

If you arrive late for your test appointment

You must arrive for your scheduled test appointment at least 15 minutes prior to your appointment time to allow for registration so that your examination can begin on time.  If you arrive more than 15 minutes after your scheduled appointment, you will not be permitted to take the examination and will forfeit your application fee and opportunity to take the examination.

If you need to reschedule your test appointment

You must do so at least 48 hours before your scheduled appointment. To cancel or reschedule your appointment, click on the link provided in your appointment confirmation email or reminder emails.

Note: you will lose your $65 application fee if you cancel or fail to appear for your scheduled testing appointment.  Candidates who are granted a payment waiver, and fail to appear for testing as scheduled, are not eligible for a second payment waiver.

If you encounter any problems with the test scheduling process, please contact PAN's customer support center at PortAuthority_Support@panpowered.com and a PAN representative will assist you.  Please provide a detailed explanation of your question or the problem you are encountering, including screen shots, so that PAN representatives have sufficient information to respond to your question/issue.  Please allow 24 hours for a response.

Once you have completed the nine (9) steps above you are finished with the application process.

Test Administration

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Officer Examination will be administered via computer at Performance Assessment Network (PAN) Test Centers across New York and New Jersey and select cities across the United States (i.e., Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Seattle, and Washington, D.C.).  The testing period runs from May 11, 2013 to June 23, 2013. The examination consists of 70 multiple-choice questions designed to assess ability/skill in areas such as:

• Memorization:  Ability to remember information, such as words, numbers, pictures, and procedures.  Pieces of information can be remembered by themselves or with other pieces of information. For example, remembering details from a crime scene or wanted posters.
• Deductive Reasoning:  Ability to apply general rules to specific problems to come up with logical answers.  It involves deciding if an answer makes sense. For example, determining the appropriate crime with which to charge a suspect.
• Inductive Reasoning:  Ability to combine separate pieces of information or specific answers to problems to form general rules or conclusions.  For example, considering suspect descriptions provided by different witnesses to identify the most accurate description.
• Information Ordering:  Ability to correctly follow a given rule or set of rules to arrange things or actions in a certain order. For example, following the steps in the arrest processing procedure in the given order.
• Problem Sensitivity:  Ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, including being able to identify the whole problem as well as the elements of the problem.  For example, determining and attending to the most life threatening injuries upon arrival to the scene of an accident.
• Spatial Orientation:  Ability to tell where you are in relation to the location of some object or to tell where the object is in relation to you.  For example, determining the route to get to a given location from your current location.
• Written Comprehension: Ability to understand written sentences and paragraphs. For example, reading and comprehending an operational procedure regarding the proper equipment to use in specific situations.
• Visualization:  Ability to imagine how something will look when it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged. One has to predict how an object, set of objects or pattern will appear after the changes are carried out. For example, identifying a person who matches the description of a criminal after the person has altered their appearance.

You should plan to be at the test location for approximately 3 hours, which includes registration, test administration time, and check out.

Test Results

After the testing period is completed, you will receive an email informing you that your test results are available through your PAN account.  It is critical that you keep the email address associated with your PAN account updated.

Future Notification To Qualified Applicants

Until you receive notification that the test results are available, it is critical that you save your PAN Login ID and Password and keep your email address updated in your PAN account.  Candidates will be notified by email when the test results are available. 

Once you receive notification, you will need to log in to your PAN account to obtain your test results. If you pass the test and are qualified for the 2013 Eligible Pool, you will be provided with information on keeping your contact information updated with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. All communications, schedules and invitations will be sent to the email account on file for you. 

It is your responsibility to keep your contact information up-to-date. Emails and correspondence that are undeliverable because of an applicant’s failure to provide correct and up-to-date contact information will result in the removal of the applicant’s name from the applicant pool. We recommend that you regularly check your email account and Spam Folder to prevent missing important communications from the Port Authority.  Your failure to respond to emails or correspondence, or to attend appointments as scheduled, will result in the removal of your name from the applicant pool.

Police Academy Training

The Port Authority Police Academy's Basic Course for Police Officer is designed to meet the agency's goals of producing highly disciplined, motivated, competent, and service-oriented law enforcement professionals.  To effectively serve as a Port Authority Police Officer, each Recruit's knowledge and skills, both intellectually and physically, will be tested to establish that they have met the standards determined by the Police Academy. The testing process is an integral, criterion-based tool used to evaluate performance and to determine a Recruit's ability to meet the Agency's standards.

Throughout your career as a Port Authority Police Officer, you will encounter various situations that challenge your intellectual and physical fortitudes. This is especially true during your training at the Police Academy, where your performance will be evaluated in four (4) major categories.  Successful completion of the Police Academy Basic Course for Police Officer requires each Recruit to achieve a score of 70% in each of the following categories:

1. Academics
2. Performance Skills
3. Supervisory Evaluations
4. Discipline and Attitude

The Academy Curriculum, “Basic Course for Police Officer training,” is a Condition of Employment.  Recruits are required to achieve and maintain a standard level of proficiency in all of the above major categories.  If at any time during the Basic Course for Police Officer, a Recruit fails to achieve and maintain the required level of proficiency in the above stated categories, the Recruit Evaluation Board will submit a recommendation to the Superintendent of Police/Director of Public Safety for termination from the program.

Job Responsibilities and Compensation

The Port Authority Police have a unique mission: they protect a region and have law enforcement jurisdiction in two states.  Unlike any other police force in the country, their focus is transportation security.  The duties of Port Authority Police include criminal investigation, emergency response, K-9 security patrol, anti-terrorism, commercial vehicle inspections, directed security patrols, aircraft rescue, and fire fighting if assigned to the ARFF cadre.

Port Authority Police Officers:

• patrol assigned posts on foot or in an automobile, in uniform or in plain clothes, to ensure the security of Port Authority facilities
• operate emergency equipment and respond to alerts at airports and other facilities
• perform aircraft rescue and firefighting, if assigned to the ARFF Cadre
• effect arrests
• administer first aid and take other related actions in emergencies
• observe the flow of vehicular traffic and take appropriate action to prevent or clear stoppages, and prevent violations of traffic regulations
• direct the movement of vehicular and pedestrian traffic at or in the vicinity of a facility
• enforce traffic regulations
• issue summonses and charges against violators of municipal and state statutes
• give testimony as required
• perform other related duties as assigned

The physical requirements of the Police Officer role include:

• working outdoors in all kinds of weather
• walking and/or standing in an assigned post during a tour
• driving or sitting in a patrol car during a tour while remaining alert
• running after fleeing suspects
• climbing up and down stairs
• carrying injured persons with assistance
• restraining persons to prevent escape
• effectively utilizing police equipment such as, but not limited to, handcuffs, batons, and self contained breathing apparatus
• remaining physically active for prolonged periods of time
• understanding verbal communication over the radio with background noise
• reading and writing under low light conditions
• carrying or wearing heavy equipment and/or a bulletproof vest

The roles/responsibilities include duties that necessitate irregular work hours. Decision-making in a high-pressure environment and the ability to convey a sense of control and organization is crucial. Strong oral and written communication skills are necessary.

Compensation: Starting salary is $32,361, with contractual step increases to $90,000 after completing five years of service (based on the current contract).

The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey/Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) is an Equal Opportunity Employer.