ASSEMBLY, No. 4553

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

218th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED OCTOBER 15, 2018

 


 

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman  GORDON M. JOHNSON

District 37 (Bergen)

Assemblyman  ROY FREIMAN

District 16 (Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex and Somerset)

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Affords civil immunity to certain police officers.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As introduced.

 


An Act concerning immunity from civil liability for certain police officers and supplementing Title 2A of the New Jersey Statutes.

 

     Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

     1.    a.  Notwithstanding the provisions of any law to the contrary, a police officer duly appointed by an independent institution of higher education pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1970, c.211 (C.18A:6-4.2) shall not be liable for damages if the officer acts in good faith in the execution or enforcement of any law.

     b.    Notwithstanding the provisions of any law to the contrary, an independent institution of higher education shall not be liable for damages if a police officer duly appointed pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1970, c.211 (C.18A:6-4.2) acts in good faith in the execution or enforcement of any law.

     c.    Nothing in this act shall provide immunity from civil liability in excess of the immunity from civil liability provided to other duly appointed police officers.

 

     2.    This act shall take effect immediately.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

     This bill affords immunity from civil liability for damages to police officers appointed by an independent institution of higher education if they act in good faith in the execution or enforcement of any law. 

     The bill similarly provides civil immunity to the independent institution of higher education where the police officer is appointed. This bill does not provide immunity from civil liability in excess of the immunity from civil liability provided to other duly appointed police officers. 

     According to the New Jersey State Police Uniform Crime Report, in 2016 there were 36,290 full-time police officers employed in this State.  Universities and colleges employed 441 of these officers, 71 of which were employed by independent colleges and universities.  These 71 police officers are the only ones who currently are not afforded immunity from civil liability.  It is the sponsor’s intention that police officers employed by independent colleges and universities are deserving of the same protection from civil liability as all the other police officers employed in this State.