N.J. Stat. § 53:1-8.2

1. a. The following persons may become members of the Division of State Police and, except as provided in this act, P.L.1997, c.19 (C.53:1-8.2 et al.), shall be subject to the provisions of Title 53 applicable to members of the division: all persons employed on the effective date of this act as inspectors by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Enforcement Bureau, as members of the State Capitol Police Force, or as marine law enforcement officers by the Bureau of Marine Law Enforcement: (1) who are between the ages of 18 and 55; (2) who satisfy the standards of health and physical fitness established by the superintendent for members of the Division of State Police; and (3) whose performance as an inspector, member, or officer demonstrates to the satisfaction of the superintendent the character and ability to perform the duties of a member of the Division of State Police. b. The appointment of an inspector, member, or officer as a member of the Division of State Police shall be in accordance with R.S.53:1-8, except that notwithstanding the requirements of R.S.53:1-8.1, upon satisfactory completion of the two-year appointment period specified in R.S.53:1-8, the person shall serve continuously as a member of the division during good behavior. c. In determining seniority for purposes of internal management, a person who becomes a member of the Division of State Police pursuant to this section shall be deemed to have been hired on January 1, 1996. Determination of seniority for internal management purposes shall not reduce the period of creditable service to which the member may be entitled pursuant to section 6 of P.L.1965, c.89 (C.53:5A-6). d. The salary of a person who becomes a member of the Division of State Police pursuant to this section shall be fixed by the superintendent at an amount approximately equivalent to that person's final salary as an inspector, member, or officer, less that amount of additional compensation customarily referred to in collective bargaining agreements as a "maintenance allowance," which that person will receive upon becoming a member of the division. e. The rank of a person who becomes a member of the Division of State Police pursuant to this section shall be assigned by the superintendent based on the salary fixed pursuant to subsection d. of this section and on the person's qualifications and the duties to which the person will be assigned. f. No person who becomes a member of the Division of State Police pursuant to this section shall be entitled to collect a lump sum payment as supplemental compensation for sick leave accumulated prior to becoming a member of the division under the provisions of N.J.S.11A:6-16. L.1997,c.19,s.1; amended 2003, c.60.