Police, Fire, EMS

In accordance with Section 4.1 of our Body Worn Camera Policy I present the following information: The Salem Police Department has equipped every officer with a Body Worn Camera since 2016. All uniformed officers will wear the camera on their outer vest. All encounters where we are acting in our official capacity which are initiated by the officer or by the public will be recorded. Attached is a picture of the camera, also called a BWC.

Early Intervention System Policy

2020 – Early Intervention Activations – 0
2021 – Early Intervention Activations – 1
2022 – Early Intervention Activations – 0

Requirements: Applicants must be at least 21 years of age and possess a high school diploma or GED and have NOT been convicted of a felony.

The New Jersey Department of Personnel administers the entry level testing. Generally, test announcements along with applications come out in January and must be returned shortly thereafter. The applications are processed, and the test is usually administered in the spring. It is strongly recommended that you enroll in a test preparation course before taking any law enforcement exam. The exams are then graded and lists are returned to the agencies ranking applicants by score.

Preference is given to Resident Veterans, then Residents, then County Veterans, then County Residents.

After the applicant passes the test and is chosen, they fill out an application. An exhaustive background investigation is done. Special attention is given to the driving record and any arrests. The applicant must also be of sound moral character and in moderately good physical shape.

After the background investigation is completed, the applicant will submit to drug testing and finally a psychological exam.

The applicant is then scheduled for the next police academy and must successfully complete the roughly 24 weeks of training. Once training is complete the candidate will complete at least two months of OJT with a field training officer and complete a one year working test period.

Procedure for Firearms purchase permits and ID Card applications

This process is used by mostly all police departments in New Jersey and by the State Police. This ORI listed is for Salem City residents only. This process must be completed online. Newly issued ID Cards are good for 10 years or unless revoked. Handgun purchase permits are good for 180 days from date of issuance. You may buy one handgun every 30 days unless you file for and are approved for a waiver.

Step 1: Visit this website: https://www.njportal.com/NJSP/fars

Step 2: The Salem Police Department’s ORI number is NJ0171200. I don’t process applications if you don’t live in Salem City. Having a Salem mailing address doesn’t count, i.e. (Mannington, Elsinboro, Quinton, LAC).

Step 3: Complete the online application. If you complete the application using a smartphone, mobile device, laptop, or desktop computer, you will need to be able to print the IDENTIGO fingerprint form.

 Step 4: When completing the application, you will need the email addresses of 2 reputable references.

 Step 5: You MUST appear at your Police Department to PAY for your INITIAL FID Card and/or handgun Purchase Permits immediately upon applying. An FID Card is $50 and each handgun permit is $25. Your application WILL NOT be processed until you have PAID for the FID Card/handgun purchase permits. Non-refundable payment is required to be made at the time of application as per NJAC 13:54-1.4.

(Cash, check or Money Order payable to Salem City. “Firearms” in the Memo field.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

• If an INITIAL applicant applied for an FID card and you forgot to apply for pistol purchase permits, the applicant must re-apply for the pistol purchase permits AFTER their initial application is process and approved.
• If there is a slight possibility that you will buy a handgun in the 180 days following an initial application, a change of address, a change of name or request for a duplicate FID, check the box for a handgun permit. They are $25 but the cost to file another application if you change your mind in a month will be about $21 plus the $25 for each permit. The $25 is non-refundable but it’s relatively cheap insurance.
• Please advise your references that the FARS system will email them the reference questions to be answered. Your references can complete the questions using a smartphone, mobile device, laptop, or desktop computer. Please advise them to complete the questions immediately to progress your background investigation.
• You will be receiving automated email updates throughout this process.
• Once your application is complete, you will receive an email with a link to your Firearms ID card and instructions for your Permit to purchase a handgun. Print the FID Card out. The link is only good for one year. DO NOT CONTACT OR APPEAR AT YOUR POLICE DEPARTMENT UNTIL ADVISED TO DO SO.

 The online application is applicant driven. Please ensure, that you have entered the best phone numbers for yourself and references as well as the best email addresses for yourself and references. If you entered any incorrect information for your references, contact the Police Department.

Procedure for permit to carry applications

The online application is applicant driven. Please ensure, that you have entered the best phone numbers for yourself and references as well as the best email addresses for yourself and references. If you entered any incorrect information for your references, contact the Police Department.

The new Civilian Carry Assessment and Range Evaluation (CCARE) protocol replaces the Permit to Carry Safe Handling and Proficiency Qualification protocol (HQC2-modified) issued on July 21, 2023, and is the required range component pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:58-4(g). All certified firearms instructors in NJ shall now instruct on the CCARE protocol.

Step 1: Complete the CCARE protocol with a certified firearms instructor.

Step 2: Visit this website: https://www.njportal.com/NJSP/ConcealedCarry/

Step 3: Follow the instructions and fill out the form. Salem City’s ORI is NJ0171200. I don’t process any other applications if you don’t live in Salem City. Having a Salem mailing address doesn’t count. i.e. (Mannington, Elsinboro, Quinton, LAC).

Step 3: You will need a check or money order paid to the order of NJSP for $50. You’ll also need cash, check or money order paid to the order of Salem City for $150. Please put “Carry permit” in the memo field and deliver it to the Chief 129 West Broadway.

Step 4: You will be notified via email of approval or denial of your permit.

Reference material

https://nj.gov/njsp/firearms/pdf/Memo_to_LE.pdf

https://nj.gov/njsp/firearms/pdf/CCARE_Protocol.pdf

https://nj.gov/njsp/firearms/pdf/Use_of_Force_Training_Doc.pdf

Information regarding Attorney General Directive 2018-6 regarding the Strengthening Trust between Law Enforcement and immigrant communities.

I. U VISAS AND T VISAS

A. Notwithstanding any provision in this SOP, officers/detectives can ask any questions necessary to complete a T Visa or U Visa certification.

1. Generally, officers/detectives cannot disclose the immigration status of a person requesting T- or U-visa certification except to comply with state or federal law or legal process, or if authorized by the visa applicant.

2. However, nothing in this section shall be construed to restrict, prohibit, or in any way prevent officers/detectives from sending to, maintaining, or receiving from federal immigration authorities any information regarding the citizenship or immigration status, lawful or unlawful, of any individual (see 8 U.S.C. §§ 1373, 1644).

B. Non-citizens could be eligible for a U visa if:

1. They are the victims of qualifying criminal activity;
2. They have suffered substantial physical or mental abuse as a result of having been a victim of criminal activity;
3. they have information about the criminal activity;
4. They were helpful, are helpful, or are likely to be helpful to law enforcement in the investigation or prosecution of the crime;
5. The crime occurred in the United States or violated U.S. laws.
6. He/she is admissible to the United States. If not admissible, an individual may apply for a waiver on a Form I-192, Application for Advance Permission to Enter as a Non-Immigrant.
7. If the person is under the age of 16 or unable to provide information due to a disability, a parent, guardian, or friend may assist law enforcement on his/her behalf.
8. NOTE: Given the complexity of U visa petitions, petitioners often work with a legal representative or a victim advocate.

D. This agency’s responsibilities are limited to certifying that an alien, who is or was the victim of a qualifying crime in Salem County, is, has or will cooperate with the investigation and/or prosecution of such crime.

E. Aliens or their representatives seeking certification for a U visa be referred to the First Assistant Prosecutor.  The First Assistant Prosecutor will cause an inquiry into the matter to determine if the alien has been:

1. A victim of a qualifying crime under the jurisdiction of the respective law enforcement agency and/or the Salem County Prosecutor’s Office;
2. Has specific knowledge and details of crime; and
3. Has been, is being, or is likely to be helpful to law enforcement in the detection, investigation, or prosecution of the qualifying crime.

F. Aliens or their representatives seeking certification for crimes occurring outside the jurisdiction of Salem County shall be referred to the local jurisdiction or the county prosecutor’s office in which the crime occurred.

G. The First Assistant Prosecutor shall assign the inquiry a case number in RMS.

H. Upon determining that the alien has satisfied the above requirements, the First Assistant Prosecutor shall execute Form I-918, Supplement B, U Nonimmigrant Status.  (see below)

I. The completed form shall be forwarded to the Prosecutor or his/her designee for signature. 

1. The original fully executed form shall be returned to the applicant or his/her representative; and
2. The First Assistant Prosecutor shall forward a copy to central records to be maintained in the case file.

J. The Prosecutor or his/her designee may withdraw or disavow a Form I-918B at any time if a victim stops cooperating.  The First Assistant Prosecutor must notify the USCIS Vermont Service Center in writing (including as an email attachment) at:

USCIS-Vermont Service Center
ATTN: Division 6
75 Lower Welden Street
St. Albans, VT 05479

K. If the First Assistant Prosecutor determines that USCIS should know something particular about a victim’s criminal history, that information can be cited on the certification or with an attached report or statement detailing the victim’s criminal history with that law enforcement agency or his/her involvement in the crime.

L. Such written notification regarding withdrawal or disavowal must include:

1. This agency’s name and contact information (if not included in the letterhead);
2. The name and date of birth of the individual certified;
3. The name of the individual who signed the certification and the date it was signed;
4. The reason the agency is withdrawing/disavowing the certification including information describing how the victim’s refusal to cooperate in the case is unreasonable;
5. The signature and title of the official who is withdrawing/ disavowing the certification; and
6. A copy of the signed initial certification.

M. Non-citizens may be eligible for a T Visas if:

1. Is or has been a victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons (which may include sex or labor trafficking); and
2. Is in the United States due to trafficking;
3. Has complied with requests for assistance in an investigation or prosecution of the crime of trafficking; and
4. Would suffer extreme hardship involving unusual and severe harm if removed from the United States.

N. The T visa declaration is supplementary evidence of a victim’s assistance to law enforcement that an official can complete for a T visa applicant. The declaration must be provided on Form I-914, Supplement B, and instructions are available on the USCIS website at https://www.uscis.gov/i-914.

O. The First Assistant Prosecutor will process T Visas in the same way as U Visas.

DOCUMENTS:

• I-914 Form
• I-914 Instructions
• I-914 Supplement A
• I-914 Supplement B
• I-914 Supplement B Instructions
• I-918 Form
• I-918 Instructions
• I-918 Supplement A
• I-918 Supplement B
• I-918 Supplement B Instructions