West Trenton, N.J. - Acting State Police Superintendent Joseph “Rick” Fuentes was joined today at the New Jersey State Police Museum and Learning Center by Acting Attorney General Peter Harvey and Commissioner of Personnel Ida Castro to begin the newest State Police Recruitment campaign.

    “With our nation at war and the threat of terrorism on our own soil very real, the role of the State Police in protecting the citizens of New Jersey is all the more critical,” said Acting Attorney General Harvey. “By attracting the smartest and most courageous recruits from throughout our highly diverse State, we will ensure that we have the strongest force possible

     “In my opinion,” said Acting Superintendent Fuentes, “this is the best police organization in the nation, offering a myriad of diverse jobs within the ranks. I hope we are flooded with qualified applicants who will take pride in protecting New Jersey and our citizens.”

     Commissioner Castro focused on the strengths that the Department of Personnel can lend to this campaign. “We will help the State Police to reach out to men and women from all communities represented in New Jersey,” stated Castro. “We look forward to assisting them as they fill their ranks to meet their commitment to homeland security.”

     Although he was not able to attend, Governor McGreevey offered his remarks on the recruiting initiative. “The State Police are looking for New Jersey’s best and brightest to answer the call to service. Like our brave soldiers serving overseas, New Jersey’s law enforcement officers are vital to the safety of our citizens,” the Governor said.

     Building on the success of the previous campaign, this drive is designed to draw a diverse segment of applicants to the ranks of the State Police. This year’s slogan, ‘Make protecting New Jersey your career,’ is coupled with photos that show troopers in the clothing associated with the numerous career paths offered by the Division. These ads will be published in a variety of media, often targeting ethnic and urban audiences. They will appear in college newspapers, minority-focused periodicals and Web sites, and on billboards and buses in cities throughout the state.

     Acting Superintendent Fuentes announced that applications are now being solicited for a written test tentatively scheduled for early June. The application can be downloaded from the State Police Web site at www.njsp.org. Fuentes emphasized that this drive incorporates many proactive recruiting initiatives aimed specifically at drawing women and minorities into “the outfit.”

     In addition to the advertising campaign, the State Police are reaching out to women’s college sports teams and churches with large minority membership. Trooper volunteers from all across the state have been trained to help the recruiting effort in a program dubbed ‘Each one reach one.’

     Event visuals included equipment and personnel from the Arson/Bomb Unit, Marine Services, T.E.A.M.S. (similar to SWAT), Canine Unit, bicycle patrols and other units. Additional recruiting events in April from the Web site are listed below.

Photographs of the event will be posted later today. They can be viewed and downloaded from the State Police Web site at www.njsp.org.

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