The following is a press release shared by the Philippine American Friendship Committee, Inc. (PAFCOM).

Important: Please note that the recruitment drive is only intended for Filipinos and other minorities that are already based in America.

Apply Now! Pafcom Partners With Jersey City To Recruit Filipinos
To Join Police Force

JERSEY CITY – The Philippine American Friendship Committee, Inc. (PAFCOM) is one of several non-profit organizations who are partnering with the City of Jersey City to boost recruitment of Filipinos and minorities to apply to be part of the Jersey City Police Department.

Mayor Steven M. Fulop and Council President Rolando Lavarro, Jr. are launching a Jersey City Minority Police Recruitment Drive, which will kick off at a public information session at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 23, 2013, in City Hall Council Chambers, 280 Grove Street.

Acting Public Safety Director James Shea and other senior Police Department officials, as well as police officers, will be on hand to discuss the application process and answer questions about the profession. The requirements for the police test are a high school diploma, Jersey City residency, and U.S. citizenship.

The filing deadline for the current police officer test with the New Jersey Civil Service Commission is Wednesday, Sept. 4th, 2013 and per mandate of the State of New Jersey, interested applicants are required to file online.

Once an applicant’s candidacy has been approved by the State, the Jersey City Minority Police Recruitment Drive will offer a series of police test preparatory courses, which is a $500 savings. To file directly online for the police officer test, visit www.state.nj.us/csc.

“Filipinos and minorities need to be educated and made aware of how to access local jobs such as being part of the police force, which ultimately benefit the entire community,” said Edwin Solano, Overall Chair. “We also need better representation in all segments of city services.”

To assist Jersey City residents interested in applying for the police test, especially those who do not have internet or computer access at home, PAFCOM signed up to be one of several community locations where applicants can gain access to the internet and a staff member to assist them in the filing process. PAFCOM, located on 124 Mallory Avenue, will open its doors on Monday and Thursday, 10am-5pm, to help Filipinos and anyone interested to sign up for the test.

“We have made a commitment to expanding and enhancing our Jersey City Police Department and that involves having a department that reflects the community it serves,” said Mayor Fulop. “Jersey City is one of the most diverse cities in the nation and we want our Police Department to be just as diverse. To achieve this, we are working with the community to make the testing more accessible and to provide preparatory courses free of charge for qualified applicants.”

“I am deeply committed to realizing the untapped potential of Jersey City's great diversity, including the diversification of our police force,” said Council President Lavarro. “I’m very excited that City Hall is taking actions consistent with such a commitment and look forward to working with our community partners in this recruitment effort.”

For more information, please contact Council President Lavarro’s office at 201-547-5268.