NJ Police Bias Reporting, Social Media Monitoring, Disciplinary Actions Proposed

TRENTON, NJ — Proposed rules for New Jersey’s police licensing system, and how an officer’s misconduct may lose them that license, are available for public comment.

New Jersey became the 47th state in the country to establish a statewide system for licensing police officers when Gov. Phil Murphy signed a law last July. Now, the Attorney General’s office and Police Training Commission have put forth proposed rules for licensing law enforcement officers, as well as de-licensing those who abuse their power.

If approved, the draft regulations would take effect Jan. 1, 2024. The proposed regulations would require officers to have valid, active licenses issued by the Police Training Commission (PTC) to work as police officers in the state of New Jersey, and also call on chief law enforcement officers to report potential or proven officer misconduct to the PTC. (See the full document below).

Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said the rules are meant to “bring about positive changes to policing in New Jersey” and improve the relationship between police and the public they serve.

“This represents a critical step forward, ensuring that those who are unfit or unable to serve as police officers can’t move from one agency to the next to evade a problematic disciplinary history,” he said Monday.

Officers already employed when the law takes effect, and who are past the probationary period of their careers, would be issued initial licenses and then have to go through the renewal process.

“For the initial licensing period, expiration dates would be staggered in a manner to be determined by the PTC,” Platkin’s office said. “After that, licenses would be in effect for three years before requiring renewal.”

Impartial "hearing officers" would be designated by the Commission to conduct licensing hearings, the rule proposals show.

Related:

The state Policemen's Benevolent Association encouraged members to submit their comments as members of the public, saying " please attempt to be clear, concise, and professional in your comments and also give a suggested modification to the rule that you take exception to." The state PBA has not released a statement on the proposed changes as of Wednesday.

The New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police have also not released a statement on the proposed changes.

Police chiefs would be required to certify to the PCT that officers seeking renewal are of good moral character, and meet the training and eligibility requirements to be a police officer in New Jersey. Current police officers would have to undergo continual training courses to remain licensed.

The rules require prospective officers to provide access to three years’ worth of posts on their social media profiles and disclose any organizational affiliations. Those wanting to get a license would also have to undergo a psychological evaluation and background check.

The rules would require chief officers disciplinary actions against officers, if an officer mishandled or destroyed evidence, any changes to an officer’s employment status or their termination from the agency, if the officer was “an active member of a group advocating for or promoting overthrowing the government,” and any bias an officer shows against a protected class of people.

“The PTC would also need to be alerted about the imposition of major disciplinary action, and of sustained findings that an officer used excessive force, was unfit for duty, or engaged in fraudulent or deceptive conduct,” AG Platkin’s office said.

If you cannot see the embed above, click here: Proposed Police Training Commission Rules in New Jersey by Michelle Rotuno-Johnson on Scribd

The public have 60 days from April 24 to submit comments regarding the proposed regulations. Comments may be made in written form by email at PTC@njdcj.org, or mailed to:

Regulatory Practice Officer
Police Training Commission
Division of Criminal Justice
Attention: Public Comments – PTC Police Licensing Regulations
Richard J. Hughes Justice Complex
P.O. Box 085
Trenton, NJ 08625-0085