If you’re looking to jumpstart your career as a municipal police officer, you’ve come to the right place. At South Central Criminal Justice Administration in New Haven, CT, we provide a full scope of services to our police departments. From promotional testing and training to entry-level recruitment and testing, we make sure the men and women behind their badges are well prepared, trained, and tested.

A career as a police officer offers individuals the opportunity to help others, develop professionally, become successful leaders, solve problems, interact with teams, and form partnerships with the community. Police departments value a critically diverse staff and offer advancement opportunities for persons of all ethnic backgrounds.

If this interests you, policing may be a career to consider. Please read further to learn more about compensation, the application process, testing, and training. 

COMPENSATION PACKAGE

Salary range – Probation: $64,000 - $71,000

Salary range – Grade A: $80,000 - $85,000

• Paid vacation
• Paid sick time
• Overtime opportunities
• Retirement plan
• Paid training
• Overtime differential for holidays
• Advancement incentives
• Life insurance

SELF-REWARDING BENEFITS

• Ability to grow within the organization to fulfill personal goals and objectives
• Self-confidence
• Teamwork
• Partnerships
• Mentoring programs
• Opportunity to increase safety within a community for all individuals
• Full family medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Competitive salaries

ENTRY-LEVEL REQUIREMENTS

• U.S. citizenship and valid Connecticut driver’s license
• 21 years of age and possess a high school diploma or GED
• Pass a physical performance and a written and an oral board examination
• Undergo a psychological exam, a polygraph exam, and a background investigation, including a criminal record check
• Undergo controlled substance screening, which indicates no presence of any controlled substance not prescribed for the candidate

No candidate will be appointed to the Connecticut Police Academy if he or she has been convicted of a felony or a Class A or B misdemeanor or committed an act which would constitute perjury or false statement. All candidates should understand that falsification of any statement in the application process constitutes grounds for termination. 

PREFERRED SKILLS AND QUALITIES

• Ability to work well with others
• Strong communication skills
• Open-minded
• Multi-task oriented
• Manage difficult situations in a reasonable, calm, and rational manner

SCCJA TESTING COMPONENTS

Physical performance test, including:

• Push ups
• Sit ups
• 1 ½-mile run
• 300-meter sprint
• Written and oral board examination by sworn police officers

TESTING COMPONENTS – INDIVIDUAL DEPARTMENTS

• Psychological
• Polygraph examination
• Background investigation
• Criminal record check
• Medical examination, including controlled substance screening

TRAINING

Candidates applying for a police position are required to attend the Connecticut Police Academy in Meriden or at one of the satellite academies located throughout the state. Attendance may require candidates to stay overnight or to commute, and the duration of training is approximately 20 weeks.

Upon graduating, candidates must complete field training with the appointing department. 

APPLY ONLINE