SENATE, No. 538

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

INTRODUCED JANUARY 29, 1996

By Senator BASSANO

An Act concerning the training of police officers, amending P.L.1961, c.56 and repealing section 4 of P.L.1961, c.56.

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

    1. Section 3 of P.L.1961, c.56 (C.52:17B-68) is amended to read as follows:

    3. Every municipality and county shall authorize attendance at an approved school by persons holding a probationary appointment as a police officer, and every municipality and county shall require that no person shall hereafter be given or accept a permanent appointment as a police officer or exercise the powers and duties of a police officer unless [such] the person has successfully completed a police training course at an approved school; provided, however, that the commission may, in its discretion, except from the requirements of this section any person who demonstrates to the commission's satisfaction that he has successfully completed a police training course conducted by any Federal, State or other public or private agency, the requirements of which are substantially equivalent to the requirements of this act.

(cf: P.L.1971, c.321, s.2)

    2. Section 4 of P.L.1961, c.56 (C.52:17B-69) is repealed.

    3. This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

    Current law permits newly hired police officers to assume the powers and duties of police officers before they have completed their required training.

    This bill requires that prior to assuming the powers and duties of a police officer, a person must complete a police training course at a school approved by the Police Training Commission. The bill repeals section 4 of P.L.1961, c.56 (C.52:17B-69), which permits probationary or temporary police officers to serve as police officers for up to 18 months before completing their required training.

Requires police officers to complete police training course at approved school before assuming powers and duties as police officer.