N.J. is seeking State Police recruits, but applications are ‘historically low,’ officials say

161st New Jersey State Police Class graduation

Members of the 161st New Jersey State Police Class parade during the graduation ceremony at the Prudential Center in Newark on Wednesday, March 17, 2021. Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media

New Jersey is getting fewer applicants to apply to become police officers in the wake of nationwide protests and a global pandemic, officials said, even as leaders and activists agree departments need to diversify.

The problem is especially acute for the state’s largest agency.

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