The Port Authority announced today it is seeking to continue an existing policy that provides an age limit exemption for military veterans seeking to join the Port Authority Police Department to help recruit qualified candidates for the 1,800-member force.
The agency’s Board of Commissioners is scheduled to vote on the measure at its November 17 meeting.
The resolution calls for the continuation of a policy that allows veterans to deduct up to six years of active service from their age, thereby increasing the potential age limit for veterans up to 41.
This change is compatible to New York and New Jersey policies that account for military service in determining eligibility of veterans applying for police jobs. Candidates for employment to the police academy without military service are not eligible to join PAPD if they are over the age of 35.
The original policy was adopted in April 2013 for a three-year period. If the Board approves, the policy will continue indefinitely without a sunset period.
The policy benefits candidates who served on active duty in the United States military. Their years of service, not to exceed a total of six years, is deducted from the candidate’s age in determining eligibility for entrance into the Port Authority Police Academy.
The current age limitation for appointment to the Port Authority police force is not applicable to positions at the rank of Captain and above.
“Veterans who have dedicated themselves to our country’s freedom and security are great candidates to help keep our customers and facilities safe through careers as police officers,” said Port Authority Executive Director Pat Foye.
“Continuing this policy will help us attract qualified police officer candidates from those who have admirably served our country.”
The Port Authority Police Department protects the agency’s land, sea, air and rail facilities, including four airports, four bi-state bridges and two tunnels, the Port Authority Bus Terminal, the PATH rail system, the regional ports in New York and New Jersey, and the 16-acre World Trade Center site.
Founded in 1921, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey builds, operates, and maintains many of the most important transportation and trade infrastructure assets in the country.
The agency’s network of aviation, ground, rail, and seaport facilities is among the busiest in the country, supports more than 550,000 regional jobs, and generates more than $23 billion in annual wages and $80 billion in annual economic activity.
The Port Authority also owns and manages the 16-acre World Trade Center site, where the 1,776-foot-tall One World Trade Center is now the tallest skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere.
The Port Authority receives no tax revenue from either the State of New York or New Jersey or from the City of New York. The agency raises the necessary funds for the improvement, construction or acquisition of its facilities primarily on its own credit. For more information, please visit http://www.panynj.gov.
