Toms river law opens new door for military veterans to become cops

TOMS RIVER — Military veterans will now have expanded access to law enforcement careers in Toms River after the township council approved a new ordinance removing education barriers for those with qualified service.

The ordinance, introduced by Mayor Dan Rodrick, allows military experience to substitute for college degrees, enabling veterans to apply for police positions without needing an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. The move is aimed at making the department more accessible to those who have served in the armed forces.

Toms River has approved a new ordinance spearheaded by Mayor Rodrick that removes the college degree requirement for military veterans seeking a career in law enforcement. Previously, the township mandated a bachelor’s degree or an associate’s degree combined with military experience.

Now, qualified military service can substitute for higher education, opening the door for more veterans to apply. This change also aims to attract seasoned officers from other departments, requiring the necessary background check and medical and psychological screenings.

The ordinance is expected to broaden the township’s recruitment efforts, allowing qualified veteran officers and police personnel from other jurisdictions to serve in Toms River.

A new ordinance introduced by Mayor Rodrick and approved by the Toms River Township Council has made it easier for America’s military veterans to pursue a career in law enforcement, eliminating some of the barriers that previously prevented them from doing so.

Currently, Toms River requires a bachelor’s degree or an associate’s degree, plus two years of military experience. The new ordinance removes the college requirement for veterans and allows them to use their time in the military in place of that.

The ordinance was passed at Tuesday night’s council meeting, with Council President Justin Lamb, Councilwoman Lynn O’Toole, and Councilmen Craig Coleman and William Byrne voting in favor of the law, which makes it easier for military veterans and experienced police officers to serve the community.

Mayor Rodrick was critical of Councilman Nivison vote.

“Toms River is about to hire new police officers, and we want police officers with real-world experience,” he said. “If someone volunteers and puts their life on the line for our freedoms in the armed forces, we should count that toward the college requirement. Tom Nivison may not think so, but with all his screaming and theatrics, he made his voice clear on this issue. Nivison doesn’t support our veterans.”

Mayor Rodrick today said the ordinance was also aimed at recruiting experienced officers from other police departments.

The new ordinance also makes it much easier for experienced police officers in other departments to come and work in Toms River, by only requiring a background check along with medical and psychological screenings.

Mayor Rodrick said the township will begin a recruiting effort to hire seasoned veteran police officers from other departments as well as recruiting military veterans who pass the required background checks and exams.

Many towns in New Jersey do not require a four-year degree, as was the case in Toms River, which limits the township’s ability to select qualified veteran police officers looking to make a lateral move into the town.

“Somebody can be a police officer in another town but not be eligible to work in our town simply because they don’t have a 4-year degree,” he said. “We are losing out on quality candidates and veteran officers. This ordinance will fix that.”

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