Auxiliary Police Accepting Applications

Beginning today, borough residents can pick up an application to serve as a member of the Auxiliary Police. Applications can be obtained at the police department until Friday Feb. 25 and qualified candidates will be interviewed on March 1, according to Officer Scott Petrie of the NMPD.

"To be a member of the Auxiliary Police is a unique challenge but a wonderful opportunity to serve your neighbors in New Milford," said Petrie, who is the officer in charge of the Auxiliary Police.

According to Petrie:

The Auxiliary Police is a volunteer organization. While Auxiliary Officers are issued uniforms, they are not qualified to make arrests, conduct motor vehicle stops, or issued a weapon. Membership in the Auxiliary Police is not an offer of employment with the New Milford Police Department. 

The requirements for applicants are:

• Must be a resident of New Milford and at least 18 years of age
• Must have a clean criminal background
• Must be able to attend night classes at the Bergen County Police Academy every Monday and Thursday, starting March 7 and ending May 2.
• Must volunteer a minimum of 10 hours a month. This is divided between one monthly meeting and patrol hours.
• Must volunteer during public events like the Memorial Day Parade and National Night Out
• Must be willing to respond to emergencies at all hours of the day and in all weather conditions.

Petrie said, "Over the past several years, the New Milford Auxiliary Police have been a valuable asset during natural disasters such as the Floods of 2007 and more recently the violent storms in March and May of 2010, and well as the post-Christmas Blizzard."

For more information, contact the New Milford Police Department at 201-261-1400 or stop by headquarters to pick up the application.