2022 Police Sergeant's Exam Results Update
October 14, 2022 - Posted by Ed Esposito
Author’s note: I put this article together to share some important and factual information regarding the appeals and results being issued. All of this information is from various NJ CSC documents and the recent past administration of the police promotional exams by the NJ CSC (as of the date this was posted).
Thousands of officers took the police sergeant’s promotional exam administered by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission (NJ CSC) in February of this year. While preparing for the exam can be a very long and tense process, the reality is – waiting for the results to be issued is no different. Add a little “guess” here – and “have you heard this” there – as to what is taking so long, and BINGO! You guessed it, this waiting period just gets more complicated and more tense. Unfortunately, for those waiting on results, it is very hard to ignore any information that is circulated. So, what does a candidate waiting on results do? They take in any information they receive and then try to make sense of it.
What is the delay?
I am willing to bet nobody waiting for their list wants to hear this answer…there is no delay. That is correct, there is no delay.
Relax, take a breath and finish reading the article so that you understand why this answer is accurate. If you cannot believe what you just read, then you probably do not want to hear the truth. Although the exam was 85 questions and a “Scantron” answer sheet was utilized, the NJ CSC does not just run them through a machine and post the results. Instead, an opportunity to appeal the administration of the exam and an opportunity to appeal the questions on the exam has to play out first. While the appeal procedure does take a considerable amount of time, it allows the NJ CSC to review all properly filed appeals and make appropriate decisions.
What can be appealed?
Almost anything.
There are many types of appeals that can be filed and the NJ CSC does provide relief for candidates when it is appropriate. Candidates who receive notice of ineligibility can file an appeal. This usually occurs when the hiring date is not properly recorded. Candidates also receive notice and can file an appeal about the “administration” of the exam at their exam site, on the day of their exam. These appeals include “the room being too dark,” there was “no clock on the wall,” it was “too noisy,” and an approved “ADA accommodation was not provided.” Candidates also have an opportunity to file for a make-up exam if specific criteria applies. Finally, candidates can appeal the items on the exam and the keyed answers. To ensure fairness with respect to this type of appeal, the NJ CSC allows all candidates the opportunity to review the exam and answer key. After the review, candidates have a deadline by which to appeal and challenge an item or keyed response on their exam.
With over 4,000 estimated candidates taking the exam this year, just the period of time allotted for candidates to review the exam is lengthy. For this cycle, there were more than 50 individual examination appeals filed. Add up all the other variables with a candidate pool this large and you can conclude why it does take a lot of time for the process to play out. Remember, each appeal receives a docket number and is thoroughly reviewed by the NJ CSC’s staff. A decision is then issued before the lists are published.
Are results released as soon as appeals are resolved?
Not normally.
In 2017, the sergeant’s exam was administered in late October with more than 2,000 candidates taking the exam. More than 70 individual appeals were filed and ultimately resolved in April of 2018. Most of the results were released on May 16, 2018. However, some results were not released until June 20, 2018.
In 2018, the sergeant’s exam was administered in late February with approximately 1,000 candidates taking the exam. More than 20 individual appeals were filed and ultimately resolved in September of 2019. The results were released on November 13, 2019.
In 2021, the lieutenant’s exam was administered in late October with more than 900 candidates taking the exam. More than 10 individual appeals were filed and ultimately resolved in late March of 2022. The results were released on April 13, 2022.
In 2021, the captain’s exam with an essay component was administered in late October with more than 350 candidates taking the exam. More than 3 individual appeals were filed and ultimately resolved in late March of 2022. The results were released on May 4, 2022.
The past timeframe of when appeals are resolved and when results are released is relatively consistent when you consider the size of the candidate pool and how many appeals are filed.
What appeals filed this year have delayed the results?
To date, none.
First, to be clear, there is no creditable information that the NJ CSC is doing anything other than what it has done in the past – allowing candidates the opportunity to appeal and then issue exam results after. I have heard many rumors with a variety of twists as to what was “allegedly” taking place with the exam. I have seen some interesting posts as many of you may have too. However, what I have not seen is any documentation from the NJ CSC supporting the rumors and posts.
Remember, this exam cycle for Police Sergeant was a particularly large group because of the delay caused by the COVID Pandemic. That being said, the NJ CSC did issue its decision on the examination appeals within the “normal” timeframe for such a large promotional exam cycle. That decision was issued on August 24, 2022. In fact, the NJ CSC was probably ahead of schedule if you compare this year to 2019, especially considering that exam cycle only had about 1,000 candidates.
There were two additional appeals regarding the “administration” of the exam that were decided by the CSC on September 21, 2022. Additionally, four requests to “revive” expired certifications were heard by the CSC on the same date. While these issues were all addressed by the CSC on the same date, there is nothing in any of the decisions that indicates the pending results will not be issued. Again, the rumors that have been circulated are not supported by the formal actions taken by the NJ CSC.
How much longer?
Obviously, anything can happen. However, the exam results are typically issued around SIX to NINE months after the exam is administered AND after all of the appeals are resolved. At the time this was printed, we expect the NJ CSC to release the results in TWO groups.
October 19, 2022 is the tentative date for results to be released for agencies that have expired, incomplete, or exhausted lists and November 16, 2022 is the tentative date for results to be released for all other agencies.
Below is a list of agencies that are expected to be in each group.
Thousands of officers took the police sergeant’s promotional exam administered by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission (NJ CSC) in February of this year. While preparing for the exam can be a very long and tense process, the reality is – waiting for the results to be issued is no different. Add a little “guess” here – and “have you heard this” there – as to what is taking so long, and BINGO! You guessed it, this waiting period just gets more complicated and more tense. Unfortunately, for those waiting on results, it is very hard to ignore any information that is circulated. So, what does a candidate waiting on results do? They take in any information they receive and then try to make sense of it.
What is the delay?
I am willing to bet nobody waiting for their list wants to hear this answer…there is no delay. That is correct, there is no delay.
Relax, take a breath and finish reading the article so that you understand why this answer is accurate. If you cannot believe what you just read, then you probably do not want to hear the truth. Although the exam was 85 questions and a “Scantron” answer sheet was utilized, the NJ CSC does not just run them through a machine and post the results. Instead, an opportunity to appeal the administration of the exam and an opportunity to appeal the questions on the exam has to play out first. While the appeal procedure does take a considerable amount of time, it allows the NJ CSC to review all properly filed appeals and make appropriate decisions.
What can be appealed?
Almost anything.
There are many types of appeals that can be filed and the NJ CSC does provide relief for candidates when it is appropriate. Candidates who receive notice of ineligibility can file an appeal. This usually occurs when the hiring date is not properly recorded. Candidates also receive notice and can file an appeal about the “administration” of the exam at their exam site, on the day of their exam. These appeals include “the room being too dark,” there was “no clock on the wall,” it was “too noisy,” and an approved “ADA accommodation was not provided.” Candidates also have an opportunity to file for a make-up exam if specific criteria applies. Finally, candidates can appeal the items on the exam and the keyed answers. To ensure fairness with respect to this type of appeal, the NJ CSC allows all candidates the opportunity to review the exam and answer key. After the review, candidates have a deadline by which to appeal and challenge an item or keyed response on their exam.
With over 4,000 estimated candidates taking the exam this year, just the period of time allotted for candidates to review the exam is lengthy. For this cycle, there were more than 50 individual examination appeals filed. Add up all the other variables with a candidate pool this large and you can conclude why it does take a lot of time for the process to play out. Remember, each appeal receives a docket number and is thoroughly reviewed by the NJ CSC’s staff. A decision is then issued before the lists are published.
Are results released as soon as appeals are resolved?
Not normally.
In 2017, the sergeant’s exam was administered in late October with more than 2,000 candidates taking the exam. More than 70 individual appeals were filed and ultimately resolved in April of 2018. Most of the results were released on May 16, 2018. However, some results were not released until June 20, 2018.
In 2018, the sergeant’s exam was administered in late February with approximately 1,000 candidates taking the exam. More than 20 individual appeals were filed and ultimately resolved in September of 2019. The results were released on November 13, 2019.
In 2021, the lieutenant’s exam was administered in late October with more than 900 candidates taking the exam. More than 10 individual appeals were filed and ultimately resolved in late March of 2022. The results were released on April 13, 2022.
In 2021, the captain’s exam with an essay component was administered in late October with more than 350 candidates taking the exam. More than 3 individual appeals were filed and ultimately resolved in late March of 2022. The results were released on May 4, 2022.
The past timeframe of when appeals are resolved and when results are released is relatively consistent when you consider the size of the candidate pool and how many appeals are filed.
What appeals filed this year have delayed the results?
To date, none.
First, to be clear, there is no creditable information that the NJ CSC is doing anything other than what it has done in the past – allowing candidates the opportunity to appeal and then issue exam results after. I have heard many rumors with a variety of twists as to what was “allegedly” taking place with the exam. I have seen some interesting posts as many of you may have too. However, what I have not seen is any documentation from the NJ CSC supporting the rumors and posts.
Remember, this exam cycle for Police Sergeant was a particularly large group because of the delay caused by the COVID Pandemic. That being said, the NJ CSC did issue its decision on the examination appeals within the “normal” timeframe for such a large promotional exam cycle. That decision was issued on August 24, 2022. In fact, the NJ CSC was probably ahead of schedule if you compare this year to 2019, especially considering that exam cycle only had about 1,000 candidates.
There were two additional appeals regarding the “administration” of the exam that were decided by the CSC on September 21, 2022. Additionally, four requests to “revive” expired certifications were heard by the CSC on the same date. While these issues were all addressed by the CSC on the same date, there is nothing in any of the decisions that indicates the pending results will not be issued. Again, the rumors that have been circulated are not supported by the formal actions taken by the NJ CSC.
How much longer?
Obviously, anything can happen. However, the exam results are typically issued around SIX to NINE months after the exam is administered AND after all of the appeals are resolved. At the time this was printed, we expect the NJ CSC to release the results in TWO groups.
October 19, 2022 is the tentative date for results to be released for agencies that have expired, incomplete, or exhausted lists and November 16, 2022 is the tentative date for results to be released for all other agencies.
Below is a list of agencies that are expected to be in each group.
Group 1 - October 19, 2022
|
Aberdeen PM4502C
Andover PM4503C Asbury Park PM4504C Atlantic City PM4753C (Bilingual Spanish/English) Atlantic City PM4505C Bayonne PM4506C Beach Haven PM4507C Beachwood PM4508C Belleville PM4509C Belmar PM4510C Bergenfield PM4511C Berkeley PM4512C Beverly PM4513C Bordentown City PM4516C Bordentown Twp. PM4517C Brick PM4518C Bridgeton PM4519C Brooklawn PM4520C Burlington City PM4521C Burlington Twp. PM4522C Butler PM4523C Byram PM4524C Cape May PM4526C Carteret PM4528C Carteret PM4527C (Bilingual Spanish/English) Cinnaminson PM4529C Clark PM4530C Clementon PM4531C Clifton PM4532C Delanco Twp. PM4533C Delran Twp. PM4534C Deptford Twp. PM4535C Dover PM4536C East Orange PM4537C East Rutherford PM4538C Edgewater PM4539C Edgewater Park PM4540C Egg Harbor City PM4541C Elizabeth PM4542C Elmwood Park PM4543C Fair Lawn PM4545C Fairview PM4546C Florence Twp. PM4547C Fort Lee PM4548C Freehold Twp. PM4550C Gloucester Twp. PM4553C Hackensack PM4554C Hackettstown PM4555C Hamilton PM4556C |
Hammonton PM4557C
Harrison PM4558C Hazlet PM4559C Highlands PM4560C Hoboken PM4562C Holmdel PM4563C Hopatcong PM4564C Independence PM4565C Irvington PM4566C Jackson PM4567C Jersey City PM4569C Keansburg PM4570C Kearny PM4571C Keyport PM4572C Lakehurst PM4574C Lakewood PM4575C Lavallette PM4576C Lawnside PM4577C Lawrence PM4578C Lincoln Park PM4579C Linden PM4580C Lindenwold PM4581C Lodi PM4583C Long Beach Twp. PM4584C Long Branch PM4585C Lopatcong PM4586C Magnolia PM4588C Manasquan PM4589C Maple Shade PM4590C Middle Twp. PM4593C Middletown Twp. PM4594C Millburn PM4595C Millville PM4597C Monroe Twp. PM4598C Montville PM4599C Moonachie PM4600C Mount Laurel PM4682C New Brunswick PM4604C Newton PM4606C North Arlington PM4607C North Brunswick PM4609C North Wildwood PM4610C Nutley PM4611C Oakland PM4612C Ocean City PM4613C Ogdensburg PM4614C Orange PM4615C Parsippany Troy Hills PM4617C Passaic PM4618C Pemberton Twp. PM4620C Perth Amboy PM4622C |
Perth Amboy PM4623C (Bilingual Spanish/English)
Plainfield PM4625C Pleasantville PM4626C Pohatcong PM4627C Point Pleasant PM4628C Point Pleasant Beach PM4629C Pompton Lakes PM4630C Rahway PM4631C Ridgewood PM4632C Ringwood PM4633C Riverside PM4634C Rockaway PM4635C Roselle PM4636C Rutherford PM4638C Saddle Brook PM4639C Salem City PM4640C Sayreville PM4641C Sea Isle City PM4643C Seaside Park PM4645C Somerdale PM4646C South Amboy PM4648C South Orange PM4649C South Plainfield PM4650C South Toms River PM4651C South Toms River PM4652C (Bilingual Spanish/English) Sparta PM4653C Stanhope PM4654C Teaneck PM4656C Trenton PM4657C Union City PM4659C Union County PC4660C Union Twp. PM4661C Ventnor City PM4662C Vernon PM4663C Verona PM4664C Vineland PM4665C Voorhees Twp. PM4666C Waldwick PM4667C Wanaque PM4669C Weehawken PM4670C West Milford PM4671C West New York PM4672C West Orange PM4673C Wildwood PM4674C Wildwood Crest PM4675C Willingboro Twp. PM4676C Woodbridge PM4678C Woodland Park PM4679C |
Group 2 - November 16, 2022
|
Bloomfield PM4514C
Boonton PM4515C Camden County PC4525C Ewing PM4544C Freehold Boro PM4549C |
Gloucester City PM4552C
Hillside PM4561C Jefferson PM4568C Lacey PM4573C Little Egg Harbor PM4582C Lower Twp. PM4587C |
Margate PM4591C
Somers Point PM4647C Union Beach PM4658C Wallington PM4668C Winslow Twp. PM4677C |