Division Staff Section
Major Mary Buerkle - Commanding Officer
The Division Staff Section (DSS) supports, facilitates, and manages all career-related personnel matters including hiring, training, payroll, benefits, leave time, personnel records, and the promotional process for civilian and enlisted employees of the Division. The diverse roles and responsibilities of the Division Staff Section falls within the following programmatic areas: The Training Bureau, and Personnel Bureau. Each of these areas are furthermore supported by various units comprised of a professional enlisted and civilian staff. The section consists of 3 bureaus and the Office of Health and Wellness.
Training Bureau
New Jersey State Police Academy
Telephone: (732) 449-5200
FAX: (732) 449-8763
Mailing Address:
New Jersey State Police Training Bureau
Sea Girt Avenue
Sea Girt, NJ 08750
Directions in PDF Format
The Bureau consists of 6 units:
- Law Enforcement Science Unit
- In-Service Training Unit
- Managerial Development Unit
- Firearms Training Unit
- Self Defense Training Unit
- Training Support Unit
- Armorer Unit
Law Enforcement Science Unit
The Law Enforcement Science Unit is responsible for the pre-service training of State Police recruits as well as the Basic Course for Police Officers. The Law Enforcement Science Unit also conducts specialized courses for state, county, and local police agencies. The Law Enforcement Science courses include, but are not limited to, Basic Police Practice and Procedures Training and Class Coordinator functions. The Law Enforcement Science Unit’s function also includes specialized pre-service instruction in topics related to criminal, traffic and social areas.
In-Service Training Unit
The In-Service Training Unit is responsible for all post-academy in-service training programs. These programs are designed to maintain, update, and improve an enlisted member’s job knowledge and skills. These In-Service courses directly reflect the Division’s established organizational goals and objectives, and are developed with an integrated curriculum, which incorporates ethics, cultural diversity, leadership/ supervision, and basic core values. The In-Service Training Unit is also responsible for a myriad of other training functions, including implementation, training, and administration of the Trooper Coach Training and Evaluation Program; development and administration of the physical fitness program; administration of the Pre-Employment Preparation Program (P.E.P.P.); administration of the Physical Qualification Test (P.Q.T.) for all prospective trooper candidates; development of individual prescription programs for those members who fail to meet sufficient standards in the physical fitness program; and delivery of the Trooper Youth Week Program, conducted several times each summer. The Trooper Youth Week program was initiated in 1965 by the Division of State Police to find a common denominator with the youth of the state, through the delivery of a basic understanding of the academic and physical requirements of a career in law enforcement.
Managerial Developmental Unit
The Managerial Development Unit (MDU) uses a two-squad concept to take on its extensive advanced training responsibilities. The Executive Development Training Squad is responsible for developing, coordinating, and delivering training programs for all troopers who are advancing in rank. Courses currently delivered are the Supervision Course for the Front-Line Supervisor which is a mandatory 80-hour course for newly promoted Sergeants. It consists of practical instruction in the areas of technical skills, human skills, conceptual skills, media and public relations and how to be a great mentor. The Mid-Level Management Course is a mandatory 40-hour course given to newly promoted Sergeants First-Class. This course focuses on knowing and improving one’s self, one’s team and the Division as a whole. The Executive Leadership Course is a mandatory 40-hour course for those enlisted who reach the rank of Lieutenant. It is designed to provide executive level members with practical skills and information relevant to the demands of their position. MDU has also developed a separate course of instruction for the ranks of Captain, Major and Lt. Colonel. The overall goal of these courses is to provide Division supervisors with leadership principles, decision making skills, supervision strategies and techniques that will result in the participants improving their immediate commands. The Civilian and Advanced Training Squad is responsible for coordinating and delivering advanced level training courses to troopers and the Division's professional support staff. A course currently delivered to both enlisted and civilian members is the Instructor Training Course (ITC). The 80-hour course provides instruction on how to improve one's public speaking skills, lesson plan writing and classroom management. Other courses include Spanish for Law Enforcement and Criminal Investigation School. Civilian training courses are a new addition to the MDU curriculum and will be a tremendous training opportunity for all our professional support staff. Civilian courses include Leadership Skills Training, Conflict Resolution, Work Stress Management and Advanced Computer Training.
Firearms Training Unit
The Firearms Unit is responsible for the pre-service training of State Police and Municipal Police recruits in all phases of firearms training, including classroom instruction and live fire range exercises. The Unit is also responsible for periodic weapon qualification, advanced training schools, and the inspection, maintenance and repair of all division issued firearms.
Self Defense Training Unit
The Self Defense Unit is comprised of the Pre-Service and In-Service Squads. The Pre-Service Squad is responsible for all recruit training as it pertains to Active Counter Measures, Defensive Tactics, Monadnock Expandable Baton, Handcuffing, and the use of and exposure to our chemical agent. The Pre-Service Squad is also responsible for updating the lesson plans for all these courses to stay current with best practices. The approval for these lesson plans gives the Self Defense Unit the opportunity to work hand in hand with OLEPS as well as the Attorney General’s Office. The In-Service Squad is responsible for all enlisted member training as it pertains to use of force. This includes offering advanced self-defense courses such as Jiu-Jitsu for Law Enforcement, Monadnock Expandable Baton Instructor, and Vehicle Extraction courses. The In-Service Squad is responsible for remedial use of force training issues that arise with enlisted members. The In-Service Squad works with the Internal Affairs Investigation Bureau as well as the Risk Management Office with training issues on use of force. The In-Service Squad assists the M.A.P.P.S. Unit in reviewing use of force incidents to identify training issues and develop training to address any deficiencies.
Training Support Unit
The Training Support Unit is responsible for providing the support functions required to maintain the academy’s training capabilities and to assess and evaluate all authorized training programs. The Technical Support Squad coordinates the academy’s network infrastructure, maintains the academy’s website, provides all logistical needs, purchasing requirements and maintains the Training Bureau’s schedule for both recruit and advanced training. The Training Cycle Coordination Squad is responsible for the assessment, evaluation and operational implementation of all authorized training programs. The squad also assists other units in the development of training programs, data collection, research design, and publishes findings that determine the effectiveness of the impact of training on stakeholders.
Armorer Unit
The Armorer Unit is responsible for the procurement, storage, issuance, repair, and maintenance of Division owned weaponry. The Armorer Unit develops and coordinates weapons maintenance and inspection programs for all Division weapons. The Unit conducts routine inspection of pistols, shotguns, and rifles in the field and at the Biannual Pistol Shoot Qualifications Course. Members of the Unit attend armorer training programs as required, to remain certified as a factory trained armorer. The Armorer Unit provides weapons maintenance training for division personnel, and maintains a database for all division owned weapons and their perspective assignments.
Selection Process Unit
The Selection Process Unit is responsible for the coordination, planning, and management of the Division's hiring process. SPU is responsible for submitting a timetable for the efficient recruitment, selection, and training of NJSP Recruit Classes in anticipation of class screening and selection. The current process consists of 8 phases, namely: Initial Application, Physical Qualification Test (PQT), Written Examination, Background Investigation, Candidate Review Board (CRB), Medical/Psychological Screening, Pre-employment Preparation Program (PEPP), and Academy Awareness Weekend (AAW). SPU staff ensures personnel are assigned, testing sites are secured, and each phase is efficiently completed.
Outside of the Division's hiring process, SPU is responsible for assisting outside law enforcement agencies with their respective background investigations. If an outside law enforcement agency is conducting a background investigation on an applicant who previously applied for the NJSP, SPU will provide necessary background information to that outside agency.
Personnel Bureau
The Bureau consists of 7 units:
- Classification & Compensation Unit
- Payroll & Benefits Unit
- Personnel Management & Information Unit
- Time & Leave Management Unit
- Compliance Unit
- Selection Process Unit
- Promotional Systems Unit
- Professional Development Unit
Classification & Compensation Unit
The Classification and Compensation Unit is responsible for the recruitment for civilian staff, new hire processing, new employee orientation, job vacancy announcements & selection process, promotions/demotions/lateral position movement, trainee to journeyman appointments, civilian position control, promotional and open competitive certifications (hiring and for permanent appointments),working test periods, classification appeals, administration of PAR program and position reclassifications.
Payroll & Benefits Unit
The payroll and Benefits Unit has the critical mission to ensure all employees of the Division of State Police are paid accurately and receive their proper benefits accordingly. Their responsibilities include; enlisted and civilian payroll - overtime & regular pay, recruit payroll, enlisted and civilian – promotional, retro pay, W-4 (Fed & State), union cards, credit union and direct deposit, pay stub on the web, enlisted and civilian pension systems, enlisted and civilian exit interviews, marriage, divorce, baby and change of address packages, SCOR, vacation and comp payout, enlisted and civilian, certification of salaries - due to retirement, retirement, resignations, transfers and terminations, open enrollment, health benefits, health benefits portion of New Hire Orientation, purchase of service credit, pension withdrawal, and the enlisted and civilian pension enrollment. Representatives of the Payroll and Benefits Unit will attend the Office of Professional Standards suspension hearings for enlisted members to ensure the member understands the process and regulations of COBRA and HIPPA.
Personnel Management & Information Unit
The Personnel Management & Information Unit is responsible for maintaining Enlisted and Civilian personnel records, scanning personnel files, data entry and maintenance of the Staff Management System (Transfer/Reorganization Changes, etc.), type, process, and post PO's, corresponds with Deputy Superintendent of Administration, Office of the Superintendent and all section administrative officers regarding any questions pertaining to PO's, transfers, reorganization packages, etc. In addition, the Personnel Management & Information Unit generates crystal reports as requested, process VA monthly certifications for members who participate in the VA on-the-job and apprenticeship training program, permit to carry forms, assign recruits position numbers, request assignments from FOS, adding recruits as Enlisted in HR system and entering their information in PMIS, maintains PL time, process military leave time, and PMIS entries for class designations, title changes, graduated troopers, and interim appointments.
Time & Leave Management Unit
The Time & Leave Management Unit is responsible processing the leaves of absence for all enlisted and civilian employees of the Division of State Police. The various types of leaves include; medical, pregnancy, worker’s compensation, donated leave, etc. The unit processes family leave for enlisted staff, intermittent leave (under the Federal Family and Medical leave (FMLA) and/or the State Family Leave Act (FLA) entitlements), donated leave requests, initiate worker’s compensation claims, voluntary furlough requests, vacation, comp, sick time management (track FMLA/FLA entitlements), verify time usage for civilian employees (per pay period including overtime, any changes to Time and Leave Reporting System (TLRS) entries, and retro time), distribute bi-weekly verification reports, time sheets, and monthly calendars to the time keepers for civilian employees and correspond with time keepers (45 total) via telephone and/or e-mail regarding an employee’s leaves, time, or any related matters. Additionally, this critical function includes ensuring the continuance of health coverage and processing temporary disability forms, etc., during the leave periods.
Compliance Unit
The Compliance Unit, Personnel Bureau, oversees, enforces and administers the following for the Division: Standing Operating Procedures A4, “Drug Testing Procedures,” , A6, “Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Drug and Alcohol Testing Program", C31, “Care and Handling of Authorized Firearms and Equipment,” C33, “Medical Policy and Procedures,” C47, “Military Leave,” and manages all Conscientious Employee Protection Act complaints. The Compliance Unit is responsible for implementing the Division’s Drug Testing Programs. Two percent of the enlisted population is randomly selected to participate in monthly Random Drug Tests. The Unit also oversees any reasonable suspicion tests for enlisted personnel. As per S.O.P. A6 the Compliance Unit maintains and administers the Commercial Driver’s License Program for Division’s enlisted and civilian personnel. This responsibility includes distribution of materials and information to personnel required to maintain a Commercial Driver’s License as part of their job duties. The Compliance Unit is responsible for maintaining a database of all members within the Division who have had their weapon removed. The Compliance Unit, in conjunction with the Firearms Unit and the Armorer’s Unit, conducts weapon removals and returns Division wide for all members failing to qualify, going on extended military leave, medical removals, or removals resulting from suspension. The unit ensures the enlisted personnel adhere to S.O.P. C33 through random integrity and compliance checks on members off-duty due to illness or injury in the form of either telephonic checks or personal visits. Unit personnel also provide guidance and insight to supervisors regarding S.O.P. interpretation and individuals under their command.
Selection Process Unit
The Selection Process Unit is responsible for the coordination, planning, and management of the Division's hiring process. SPU is responsible for submitting a timetable for the efficient recruitment, selection, and training of NJSP Recruit Classes in anticipation of class screening and selection. The current process consists of 8 phases, namely: Initial Application, Physical Qualification Test (PQT), Written Examination, Background Investigation, Candidate Review Board (CRB), Medical/Psychological Screening, Pre-employment Preparation Program (PEPP), and Academy Awareness Weekend (AAW). SPU staff ensures personnel are assigned, testing sites are secured, and each phase is efficiently completed.
Outside of the Division's hiring process, SPU is responsible for assisting outside law enforcement agencies with their respective background investigations. If an outside law enforcement agency is conducting a background investigation on an applicant who previously applied for the NJSP, SPU will provide necessary background information to that outside agency.
Promotional Systems Unit
The Promotional Systems Unit is responsible for facilitating the process used to promote enlisted members of the Division. Members of this Unit process all incoming packets from individuals who are applying for promotional vacancies in all Sections, including verifying all information provided and scoring components of the packets in compliance with the guidelines provided in the Operations Instruction. The Unit manages and maintains a promotional database and works to advance and streamline the promotional system. The Unit is also responsible for providing assistance and training related to promotions to all members of the Division. This includes acting as a guide for members with concerns about annual evaluations and outside training. Furthermore, the Unit maintains and updates all aspects of the Specialist Selection process (in compliance with SOP C45), clearing the last remaining members on 112 day pay, assisting Labor Relations on grievances, and the Administration Information Center (AIC).
Professional Development Unit
The Professional Development Unit is responsible for coordinating and administering the FBI National Academy Program. This includes being the liaison between the Division and the local FBI Offices in the selection of an enlisted member 4 times a year to attend the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va. The Professional Development Unit also provides guidance and assistance to enlisted members who are developing their State Police Resumes. In addition the Unit also provides assistance to enlisted members who are seeking to further their education.
