N.J. Stat. Ann. § 40A:9-119.2

The sheriff of any county may appoint any person who, at the time of his appointment, has: a. served for 10 years or more as a law enforcement official, three years of which shall have been in a supervisory position that included responsibilities for narcotic investigation or control activities; and b. has been certified by the Police Training Commission as having completed a police training course at an approved police training school, pursuant to P.L. 1961, c. 56 (C. 52:17B-66 et seq.), as director of the bureau of narcotics, to serve for a term of one year without having to take a civil service examination. The director of the bureau of narcotics shall have full police officer status, as is granted to other sheriff's officers.