Latest round of N.J. State Police applicants more diverse than past years
New Jersey officials say the latest group of State Police applicants is the most diverse ever.
Hoping to get a spot in the next class at the New Jersey State Police Academy, 8,500 applicants are taking the physical qualification test.
State Attorney General Jeff Chiesa says 19 percent of the applicants are Hispanic, 15 percent are African-American, and 14 percent are women.
“In every category our diversity has improved, and I want to thank our community leaders for stepping up to help make this happen,” Chiesa said Tuesday. “As one of the nation’s most richly diverse states, I think it’s essential that we strive to have local, county, and state law enforcement agencies that reflect our state’s diversity.”
Just five African-Americans were in the previous State Police class and only two of them graduated.
About 250 new troopers are expected to graduate next year. That will help the State Police make up for an increasing number of retiring troopers.
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