Bill Text: NJ A1943 | 2024-2025 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Requires specialized in-service training regarding crime victims for police departments in certain high-crime areas.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2024-01-09 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee [A1943 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2024-A1943-Introduced.html
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
221st LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2024 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman SHANIQUE SPEIGHT
District 29 (Essex and Hudson)
SYNOPSIS
Requires specialized in-service training regarding crime victims for police departments in certain high-crime areas.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.
An Act concerning law enforcement officer training and supplementing Title 52 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a A reasonable percentage, as determined by the Attorney General, of law enforcement officers in every State, county, and municipal police department located in the six urban municipalities with the highest crime index in this State, according to the most recent Uniform Crime Report prepared by the New Jersey Division of State Police, shall receive in-service training on the specialized needs of crime victims and available services in accordance with subsection b. of section 9 of P.L.1985, c.404 (C.52:4B-47).
b. The Attorney General shall ensure that the required number of law enforcement officers in each police department in these municipalities have successfully completed the required in-service training.
c. The Division of Criminal Justice shall provide assistance to law enforcement agencies in implementing the training requirements of this act.
2. This act shall take effect on the first day of the seventh month next following the date of enactment.
STATEMENT
This bill requires that a reasonable percentage of law enforcement officers in each police department located in a high-crime area in this State receive in-service training on the specialized needs of crime victims and available services.
In New Jersey, all law enforcement officers are required to undergo a basic training course which consists, in part, of training regarding the knowledge and understanding of the rights and the needs of crime victims and witnesses, the role of law enforcement officers in providing victim assistance, and the resources and services available to assist the victim. In addition, current law requires that in-service training is to be made available for police officers concerning the specialized needs of crime victims and available services. However, the law does not require that law enforcement officers complete this in-service training.
This bill requires a reasonable percentage, as determined by the Attorney General, of law enforcement officers in every State, county, and municipal police department located in the six urban municipalities in this State with the highest crime index, according to the most recent Uniform Crime Report, to successfully complete the in-service training concerning crime victims and available services. The bill requires the Attorney General to: (1) determine a reasonable percentage; and (2) ensure that the required number of law enforcement officers in each police department in these municipalities have successfully completed the required in-service training. The Division of Criminal Justice is required to provide assistance to law enforcement agencies in implementing the training requirements of the bill.
