Some NJ Police Departments Hiring 'Class II' Officers To Save Money
By Cleve Bryan
EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP, NJ (CBS) -- Court security duty is the first step in what Eric Knuttel hopes will be a long police career.
"It's a great opportunity to get my foot in the door and learn how to become a full-time police officer," says Knuttel, who is a Class II officer, a step below a full-time sworn officer.
Egg Harbor Township is one of several police departments to expand using Class II officers, who have traditionally worked in beach towns during the summer.
"They don't supplant the regular officer, but they do supplement them in the fashion they can take some of these limited duties off the hands of the regular officers who can primarily then serve the public on the street," says Chief Raymond Davis.
This year, the Cape May County Police Academy, which services departments throughout New Jersey, has a 40 percent increase in demand for Class II officers.
They save municipalities money with typical starting pay around $15 per hour and no benefits.
Hamilton Township laid off 13 full-time officers in 2011 and hasn't increased their rolls. They have five Class II officers whose duties include prisoner transport and court security.
"It's not a full-time, five day a week job, so they're part time officers, and there is a savings," says Hamilton Township administrator Michael Jacobs.
Mainland PBA president Ray Theriault says "there's some serious concerns about Class II officers."
Theriault says Class II expansion hinders full time hires and Class II's don't have legal protection provided by unions.
"The potential is there for them to be abused, because they're going to do whatever is asked of them to obtain a full time position," says Theriault.
Experts see the trend of Class II hires only continuing to grow with New Jersey law permitting as much as 25 percent of a police force can be Class II officers.
