The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey plans to add to its rank of 1,600 officers.

(Aristide Economopoulos/The Star-Ledger)

NEW YORK — The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is starting a recruitment drive for up to 175 new police officers.

The agency is seeking candidates for a new police academy class in 2014.

The recruitment effort will begin May 10 and run through June 17.

Military veterans are encouraged to apply.

The age limit for police applicants is normally 35. However, the authority has increased the maximum age to 41 for veterans. The revised policy will be in place for three years.

The authority's force of nearly 1,600 officers patrols the agency's land, sea, air and rail facilities.

Those include four airports, four bridges and two tunnels. They also include the Port Authority Bus Terminal, the PATH rail system, regional ports and the 16-acre World Trade Center site.

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