Ocean City PD Preps For Busy, Fun, Safe Summer

OCEAN CITY, N.J. — The Ocean City Police Department never stops thinking about summer. That's because preparing to keep each busy, fun summer safe is a year-round process.

As Ocean City gets busy, so do the police. Much of their seasonal police force will work from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day.

Most of the seasonal officers are college students, according to Sergeant Patrick Randles. This summer, you'll see some familiar and new faces.

"The retention of seasonal officers is directly related to the economy," Randles said. "If the economy is good and law enforcement agencies are hiring new officers to full time positions, we lose officers to other jurisdictions. If the economy is sluggish and agencies are not hiring, we retain more officers from year to year. This year we have a healthy mix of experienced and new officers who are ready to serve."

OCPD hires Class One and Class Two special officers to supplement its full-time staff. The seasonal hiring process begins in October. The OCPD works closely with local colleges to try and find the best candidates.

First, individuals complete an application. Then the OCPD conducts a thorough background check, including finger prints. The training staff supervisor and other command-staff representatives then conduct interviews.

Qualified applicants receive a conditional employment offer. They must pass a psychological evaluation, a physical from the city physician and a drug test. Upon completion, season officers are enrolled in the police academy.

The Special Officer Class I is certified by the New Jersey Police Training Commission. Their 80-hour course provides training on actions such as handcuffing, disorderly person's offenses, use of force and ethics. The Class II training takes over 460 hours.

Applicants then prove efficiency in all areas required by the Police Training Commission and graduate. They're ready to serve for the busy summer, filled with morning Boardwalk bike rides, full beaches and nighttime activities.

"Seasonal employees handle calls varying from directing traffic, enforcing local ordinances, locating lost children, documenting minor damage to property and helping citizens retrieve found property," Randles said.

Many OCPD seasonal officers have transitioned into full-time enforcement. Chief Jay Prettyman worked seasonally for Ocean City from 1993-95. Other seasonal officers became full-time police throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware. Some even worked for state agencies, the FBI and federal Drug Enforcement Administration.

"The OCPD loves the fact that many of our seasonal officers have transitioned into full time officers and leaders in law enforcement," Randles said.

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