Permits local governments to request civil service law enforcement examinations; increases training reimbursement for law enforcement positions; removes certain law enforcement appointees from civil service eligible list; allows county hiring preference for county police departments.

This New Jersey bill (S 1061) changes how local police departments hire entry-level officers. It lets counties and municipalities request open competitive exams for police vacancies within 10 business days, and requires departments to prioritize hiring from local residents first, followed by other state residents and then out-of-state applicants. The bill also adds preferences for veterans and applicants whose parents were killed while serving as law enforcement officers (with documentation), and clarifies that these hiring rules apply only to initial appointments, not promotions. These changes directly affect local police departments and job applicants seeking entry-level law enforcement positions in New Jersey.