SENATE, No. 478

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

INTRODUCED JANUARY 22, 1996

By Senators GIRGENTI and KOSCO

An Act concerning police officer awards and amending N.J.S.40A:14-153.

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

    1. N.J.S.40A:14-153 is amended to read as follows:

    40A:14-153. Whenever an award shall be made to a member or officer of the police department or force for heroic or meritorious service by a national or Statewide police service organization or a governmental or voluntary agency, a record of such award shall be made by the chief or other person in charge of the department or force of which the recipient is a member or officer, and it shall constitute part of his service record. If the recipient receives a bar, medal or other similar device representing said award which conveniently can be worn, upon authorization, it shall be worn above or opposite the police badge, whichever is appropriate. Medals awarded by the Fraternal Order of Police Grand Lodge, the Fraternal Order of Police New Jersey State Lodge, Honor Legion, the Italian-American Police Officers Association of New Jersey, the Italian-American Police Officers Society of New Jersey or the New Jersey State Policemen's Benevolent Association shall not require authorization to be worn. Unauthorized persons shall not wear any such bar or device or imitation thereof.

(cf: P.L.1989, c.339, s.1)

    2. This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

    This bill would permit a police officer to display an Italian-American Police Officers Association of New Jersey or an Italian-American Police Officers Society of New Jersey medal on his

or her uniform without prior authorization by his or her department.    The bill also includes the Italian-American Police Officers Society of New Jersey.

Permits police officer to wear Italian-American Police Officers Association medal without prior authorization.