Township of Long Hill
Long Hill Uniform Police Patch
Police Department
264 Mercer Street, Stirling, NJ, 07980
Non-Emergency Phone 908-647-1800
Fax: 908-647-0355

EMERGENCIES CALL 9-1-1

POLICE TRAINING

Basic Law Enforcement Academy Training
One of the most important responsibilities that must be addressed by the law enforcement agency is training. The Long Hill Police Department has and continues to embrace this philosophy. The Long Hill Township Police Department encourages sworn personnel to achieve a minimum of a Bachelors Degree from an accredited college or university.

All officers must first attend a Police Academy. The curriculum at the various municipal police academies is established and regulated by the New Jersey Police Training Commission. The training has evolved from a reactive training model to a more proactive model emphasizing community policing and problem solving techniques. The Police Training Commission certifies officers that graduate from the police academy. The training occurs over a 23-week period in either a dormitory style or college campus style training environment and covers the following topics:

  • Professionalism
  • Ethics
  • History of Law Enforcement
  • Criminal Law
  • Motor Vehicle Law
  • Use of Force Law
  • Vehicle Pursuit Law
  • Arrest, Search and Seizure Law
  • Criminal Investigations
  • Domestic Violence Investigations
  • Motor Vehicle Crash Investigations
  • Narcotics Investigations
  • Juvenile Investigations
  • Interviews
  • Evidence Collection
  • Firearms Qualifications and Safety Guidelines
  • Police Baton
  • OC Pepper Spray
  • Defensive Tactics
  • Physical Fitness and Health
  • Vehicle Operations
  • Radar Operations
  • First Aid and CPR
  • Automatic .External Defibrillator
  • Community Policing
  • Crime Prevention Techniques
  • Hazardous Materials

Additionally officers are trained in practical exercises simulating real life decision making.

Field Training Program
The training doesn't end upon graduation from the academy. New police officers are required to participate in a field training program that occurs over an additional six week period. New police officers are under the direction of a dedicated Field Training Officer. During that period new police officers receive training in areas specific to Long hill Township, which cover the following topics:
  • Geography, Streets, and Businesses of the Township
  • Critical Departmental Policies
  • Criminal Investigations
  • Township Ordinances
  • Non-criminal Investigations.
  • Traffic Enforcement.
  • Shift Responsibilities
  • Departmental Reporting System
  • Departmental Communications

After new police officers have completed the academy and the field-training program, then they are allowed to patrol in Long Hill Township.

In-service Training
All police officers in Long Hill Township are required to participate in ongoing in-service training. This in-service training is ongoing, and each officer receives more than 100 hours of in-service training each year. Recurring training covers the following topics:
  • First Aid and CPR
  • Use of Force Law
  • Domestic Violence Law
  • Vehicle Pursuit Law
  • Criminal Law
  • Motor Vehicle Law
  • Arrest, Search & Seizure Law
  • Firearms Qualifications and Safety Guidelines (see below)
  • Police Baton
  • OC Pepper Spray
Specialized Training
Some or all police officers have and/or continue to receive training in specialized areas. Specialized training provides the Long Hill Township Police Department skills and personnel to deal with a variety of issues existing in the Township or in preparation for critical incidents. Specialized training covers the following topics:
  • Crime Scene Investigation and Evidence Collection
  • Forensic Computer Investigations
  • Bicycle Patrol
  • Drug Recognition
  • Expert Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (for DWI detection)
  • Motor Vehicle Crash Reconstruction
  • Traffic Safety
  • D.A.R.E. Instruction
  • Emergency Medical Technician
  • Incident Command System
  • Tactical Operations
  • Hostage Negotiations
The Police Department operates its own range for firearms training and qualification. Firearms qualification is required twice a year, according to the New Jersey Attorney General’s guidelines, and includes both day and night firing. Additional training includes live fire scenarios (such as active shooters in a building), and stress shooting courses.
In Morris County, training of emergency service personnel is conducted at the Morris County Fire Fighters and Police Training Academy. Visit their website for a greater appreciation of the skills our police officers must acquire and maintain.