Toms River Police Accepting Auxiliary Member Applications

Toms River, NJ -- The Toms River Police Department is accepting applications for its Auxiliary Police Unit, the department announced.

The unit is a volunteer organization of men and women age 18 or older who work with the police department to reduce safety hazards, assist in emergency or disaster situations, and "provide services as deemed necessary by the Chief of Police, in an effort to enhance the quality of life of the citizens and visitors of the community," the police department said in a post on Facebook announcing the applications.

Auxiliary police members are considered the “eyes and ears” of the police department and assist with patrols, parades, first aid calls, disabled vehicles, animal calls, details, funerals, emergencies, disasters, crashes, traffic direction, crowd control, DWI checkpoints, and various other township functions, police said. The training and experience gained while in the organization is often a stepping stone utilized in the pursuit of becoming a full-time law enforcement officer. The unit has an honor guard, a fleet of three vehicles, and an active bicycle unit.

Uniforms are provided to each officer.

Applications are available at police headquarters until Aug. 1, the post said. More information is provided in the application package.

To qualify, applicants must:

• permanently reside in Toms River or within 5 miles of the township border
• be a US citizen
• be able to read and write the English language
• have a high school diploma or GED
• be 18 years old
• possess a valid NJ Drivers License
• be of good moral character
• not be a member of any volunteer organization
• not have a criminal record or prior arrests
• not have significant motor vehicle history
• not have any domestic violence history
• maintain a valid NJ Drivers License

Members are required to:

• Volunteer a minimum of 8 hours per month
• Participate in a minimum of 25 percent of monthly meetings
• Participate in a minimum of 25 percent of details
• Respond to a minimum of 25 percent of emergency call-outs

Applicants undergo a complete background check, those who are accepted are required to attend more than 70 hours of training over 11 weeks in the following topics:

• CPR/AED/First Aid certification
• Hazardous Materials Level 1 Awareness
• Radiological Emergency Response Plan (RERP)
• PR-24/Defensive Tactics/Use of force
• Oleoresin Capsicum (OC spray) certification
• Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC)
• Traffic Control
• Domestic Violence
• Criminal Law and Motor Vehicle Law
• Disorderly Persons

Once the academy is completed, recruits will be assigned training officers who will assist them with on-the-road training.

Frequently asked questions:
Do Auxiliary Police Officers carry firearms?
No, under no circumstances are the Auxiliary Police allowed to carry a firearm in Toms River.
Do Auxiliary Police Officers make arrests or write summonses?
No. The Auxiliary Police are forbidden from investigating crimes or suspicious persons, making arrests, conducting motor vehicle stops, and enforcing laws or ordinance violations.
I was an Auxiliary Police Officer in the past, do I have to go through training again?
If your prior training is significantly similar to training provided by Toms River Police AND you were active within the last year, you will not have to go through the academy again.
How do I join?
Those interested can pick up an application at Toms River Police Headquarters at any time. Applications must be filled out and notarized prior to submission.