There May Be a Badge Waiting

Ever sit back and wonder what your life would have been like had you chosen a different road, another career? Some may nod their head and say, “Man, if only I would have taken that job in Tulsa, I’d be a millionaire today.” Others might shake their head and do just the opposite. “No, I wouldn’t trade my life for all the gold in China.” (You know they are building a big repository for the gold that once belonged to us, but that’s fodder for another time).
Many releases cross the old computer screen. The most recent deals with seeking candidates for the county Police Academy’s “Alternate Route.” As with life itself, the program comes with absolutely no guarantees. However, to a young man or woman who is physically fit, and has a bit of self-starting fire, and who is casting about, wondering whether it would be better to move out of the county to seek their fortune or stay here and pump gas or sell beach tags, the program offers promise.
According to a release Cape May County Police Academy is accepting applications “from aspiring police officers for the Alternate Route Training Program scheduled to start the Basic Course for Police Officers on Aug. 26, 2013. Applications will be available March 1, 2013 through April 30, 2013.”
For those who may be unaware, this county offers to police recruits a really terrific local place to learn a new career. Many have already taken training there, and are in patrol cars even now. It has been told to me among other academies, the one in Crest Haven is very highly rated, so why go outside the county for a gem that’s right under your nose?
According to Wildwood Crest Police Chief Thomas DePaul, president of the county Chiefs Association, “The program saves tax dollars by allowing aspiring officers to pay their own tuition. The Alternate Route Training Program has no guarantee of employment, but increases a civilian’s chance of making it into certain departments.”
If only there could be a similar academy for aspiring journalists, the next generation would be left in excellent hands. However, there is a disparate differential in salary between police officers and journalists. Any young person who is filling out applications would have only to breeze over the pay resolutions of local governments of police officers to make a determination, should money be the sole factor on choosing one’s career, which ought not be the only decision in career selection.
“The program is the only residential based academy in the State of New Jersey for municipal officers requiring them to live ‘on base’ while they train. The tuition cost is $3,300 which includes instruction, lodging, meals, ammunition, and textbooks,” states the release from the county.
Sounds expensive, but stack that price against one semester at any state college. You’ll see it’s bargain basement priced for a job that, should a graduate land a seat in a patrol car after graduation, which most do, would pay monetary rewards almost instantly without suffering with obscene student loans.
Those without some college need not apply. Alternate Route applicants must be 18 or older and have 60 college credits by September 2013 or two years of full time military service. To be eligible for selection, candidates must pass written, physical, oral and psychological exams as well as a background check.
Couch potatoes would find the rigors of training harsh, but anyone who is in decent physical shape would probably find the training almost enjoyable. That’s easy to say, like looking back on boot camp and thinking that was a breeze.
Starting March 1, applications will be available Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the Public Safety Training Center, 171 Crest Haven Road, Court House.
Applicants must pick up their own application and bring photo identification and a fee of $75 which may be paid in cash, check or money order, made out to County of Cape May. For information call 609-465-1134.
It’s a dangerous field that will never disappear. Crime’s growing by leaps and bounds, and it’ll only get worse. That means job security, and good pay, for those willing to wear a badge and strap on a gun.