1. The Legislature of New Jersey hereby finds and declares that a serious need for improvement in the administration of local and county law enforcement exists in order to better protect the health, safety and welfare of its citizens; that police work, a basic adjunct of law enforcement administration, is professional in nature, and requires proper educational and clinical training in a State whose population is increasing in relation to its physical area, and in a society where greater reliance on better law enforcement through higher standards of efficiency is of paramount need; that the present need for improvement can be substantially met by the creation of a compulsory educational and training program for persons who seek to become permanent law enforcement officers wherein such persons will be required, while serving in a probationary capacity prior to permanent appointment, to receive efficient training in this profession provided at facilities selected, approved and inspected by a commission created for such purpose; and that by qualifying and becoming proficient in the field of law enforcement such persons shall individually and collectively better insure the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of this State in their respective communities.

The Legislature further finds and declares that, in addition to providing proper educational and clinical training to law enforcement officers in this State, it is also important, in order to help protect the health, safety, and welfare of its citizens, that appropriately situated State authorities are accorded the ability and responsibility to monitor and take appropriate action against any law enforcement officer who acts outside the bounds of professionalism or engages in illegal or improper conduct. Professional licensure provides the means to help ensure that those individuals who serve as law enforcement officers in this State uphold the public trust by meeting and maintaining appropriately high standards of training and professionalism, in qualifying for the positions, and in performing the duties. Therefore, it is necessary and appropriate to establish a Statewide licensure system, through which the Police Training Commission will promulgate and apply uniform standards of professional conduct by law enforcement officers, establish minimum standards for licensure, review and take action on initial and renewal applications of applicants and law enforcement officers and applicants who meet those standards, and deny, revoke, or suspend licenses due to failure to meet or maintain those standards.

Nothing in this act is intended to limit in any manner the powers and authority granted to the Attorney General as the chief law enforcement officer of the State pursuant to the Criminal Justice Act of 1970, P.L.1970, c.74 (C. 52:17B-97 et seq.).

L.1961, c. 56, p. 542, s. 1. Amended by L.1965, c. 8, s. 1, effective July 1, 1965; amended 2022, c.65, s.1.