The Alternate Route Program (N.J.S.A. 52:17B-69.1) was designed to give individuals interested in becoming police officers, the opportunity to attend a certified police training academy at their own expense, prior to being hired by municipal, county sheriff, or campus police department.

Although successful completion of the program does not guarantee a candidate a position in law enforcement, graduates will have received training from a certified police academy and are able to pursue employment as a certified police officer for a 3 year period from date of graduation.

Announcements pertaining to enrollment will be posted in area newspapers, colleges, libraries, and here on our website.

Eligibility Requirements

• Citizen of the United States
• Sound in body and of good health sufficient to satisfy the board of trustees of the Police and Fireman’s retirement system of New Jersey as to his / her eligibility for membership in the retirement system
• Able to read, write, and speak the English language well and intelligently
• Good moral character and has not been convicted of any criminal offense involving moral turpitude
• Resident of the State of New Jersey at time of entry into the academy
• Maintains a valid driver’s license issued by the State of New Jersey
• Must be 18 years of age and not over 35 at the completion of the academy program
• Educational, Military experience: No person shall make application for enrollment as an alternate route trainee in the basic training course for police officer unless he / she can demonstrate completion of at least 60 college credits or 2 years of active military service.

Selection Criteria

• Application
• Written Test
• Physical fitness agility test
• Interview
• Medical examination including stress and drug tests
• Psychological test
• Background investigation

Announcements

Alternate Route Exam is scheduled to be administered February 3, 2026 at 6 p.m.

Test will be held at the Passaic County Police Academy

214 Oldham Road, Wayne, NJ 07470

Registration for the Alternate Route Exam closes January 26, 2026.

Applications can be completed through PoliceApp.com