Law Enforcement Diversity Recruitment Expo Coming to Morristown

A police recruitment program designed to encourage diversity in the pool of applicants for Morris County law enforcement agencies is coming to a Morristown church Thursday.

The Law Enforcement Diversity Recruitment Expo is scheduled for 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday at Calvary Baptist Church, 10 Martin Luther King Ave., Morristown, according to an announcement for the event.

The free program gives attendees information about the NJ Law Enforcement Entry Level Exam and application process, an overview of various law enforcement careers, and information about the importance of having good credit, physical fitness and avoiding potential background eliminators, organizers said.

Hosts of the free event include:

• The New Jersey State Police Community Affairs Officers Association
• Morris County law enforcement
• Calvary Community Development Corporation of Morristown
• National Coalition of Latino Officers
• And the Northern New Jersey Chapter of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives

An associate minister at the church said in a news release Calvary hopes the program leads more local residents to careers in policework.

"We are partnering with local law enforcement officials to introduce local residents to careers in law enforcement because we believe that when policing is done by the community for the community we'll see increased levels of trust, confidence, and mutual respect," the Rev. Carol Lynn Patterson said.

William Schievella, president of the NJ Police Community Affairs Officers Association and retired chief of investigations for the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, said the program helps police serve all communities in the state.

“This unique program is important to assist in helping to create a modern professional law enforcement population to serve the diverse communities of New Jersey," he said.

Anyone interested in attending can email the NJ Police Community Affairs Officers Association at njpcaoa@gmail.com.