ASSEMBLY LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 1783

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: JANUARY 9, 1997

      The Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 1783.

      Assembly Bill No. 1783 amends section 1 of P.L.1962, c.120 (C.40:37-95.41), R.S.40:37-155, R.S.37-203 and section 2 of P.L.1960, c.135 (C.40:37-262) to grant full police powers to county park police. With the enactment of this legislation, county park police would be given the authority to enforce State laws throughout the entire State at all times, regardless of whether they were on or off duty.

      Similar to law enforcement officers, county park police are required to successfully complete a training program certified by the Police Training Commission.

      Under current law, county park police have limited authority. They are authorized to enforce the rules and regulations governing the parks of the county wherein they serve. In addition, they are authorized, when they are on park police duty, to enforce State laws within their employing county.