ASSEMBLY, No. 2310

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

INTRODUCED SEPTEMBER 16, 1996

 

 

By Assemblywomen CRUZ-PEREZ and BARK

 

 

An Act concerning police vehicles and supplementing chapter 4 of Title 39 of the Revised Statutes.

 

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

 

    1. a. An unmarked vehicle shall not be used by the State Police or a county or municipal police department for the routine stopping or apprehension of motorists for violations of the motor vehicle laws. However, unmarked police vehicles may be used to stop or apprehend motorists under circumstances presenting a substantial threat to the public safety or for other purposes authorized by law or regulation.

    b. "Unmarked vehicle ,"as used in this act, means a motor vehicle operated by the State Police or a county or municipal police agency which lacks the standard colors, insignia and other markings of standard patrol vehicles.

    c. Pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), the Superintendent of State Police shall adopt all rules necessary to carry out the purposes of this act, including guidelines for defining "routine stopping or apprehension."

 

    2. This act shall take effect immediately.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

    This bill prohibits State and local police from using unmarked vehicles to make routine traffic stops. The use of unmarked cars by criminals posing as police officers makes many motorists apprehensive when approached by such vehicles.

    This bill is intended to relieve these fears by ensuring that only marked police vehicles will be used for traffic enforcement. It will also encourage the wider use of marked vehicles, which have a stronger deterrent effect on motorists. The bill would permit the continued use of unmarked vehicles by the police under circumstances presenting a substantial threat to the public safety or for other purposes authorized under law or regulation.  

                             

Prohibits use of unmarked police vehicles for routine traffic stops.