S2871

An Act concerning crisis intervention services for law enforcement officers and amending P.L.2008, c.29.

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

1. Section 115 of P.L.2008, c.29 (C.26:2NN-1) is amended to read as follows:

115. a. The Department of Health and Senior Services shall maintain a toll-free information "Law Enforcement Officer Crisis Intervention Services" telephone hotline on a 24-hour basis.

The hotline shall receive and respond to calls from law enforcement officers and sheriff's officers who have been involved in any event or incident which has produced personal or job-related depression, anxiety, stress, or other psychological or emotional tension, trauma, or disorder for the officer and officers who have been wounded in the line of duty. The operators of the hotline shall seek to identify those officers who should be referred to further debriefing and counseling services, and to provide such referrals. In the case of wounded officers, those services may include peer counseling, diffusing, debriefing, group therapy and individual therapy as part of a coordinated assistance program, to be known as the "Blue Heart Law Enforcement Assistance Program," designed and implemented by the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey's University Behavioral Healthcare Unit.

Upon the request of an officer or family member who has contacted the hotline, the operators of the hotline shall: (1) arrange for the provision of critical incident stress management and crisis intervention services to be provided by a network of responders or a crisis intervention team, and (2) provide law enforcement suicide prevention, intervention and post-intervention services.

b. The operators of the hotline shall be trained by the Department of Health and Senior Services and, to the greatest extent possible, shall be persons, who by experience or education, are: (1) familiar with post trauma disorders and the emotional and psychological tensions, depressions, and anxieties unique to law enforcement officers and sheriff's officers; or (2) trained to provide counseling services involving marriage and family life, substance abuse, personal stress management and other emotional or psychological disorders or conditions which may be likely to adversely affect the personal and professional well-being of a law enforcement officer and a sheriff's officer.

c. To ensure the integrity of the telephone hotline and to encourage officers to utilize it, the commissioner shall provide for the confidentiality of the names of the officers calling, the information discussed by that officer and the operator, and any referrals for further debriefing or counseling; provided, however, the commissioner may, by rule and regulation, (1) establish guidelines providing for the tracking of any officer who exhibits a severe emotional or psychological disorder or condition which the operator handling the call reasonably believes might result in harm to the officer or others and (2) establish a confidential registry of wounded New Jersey law enforcement officers.

d. The hotline staff shall conduct educational and outreach activities within the law enforcement community to ensure that the services of the telephone hotline are accessible to, and utilized by, those law enforcement officers and sheriff's officers and the families of those officers who are in need of the assistance and services provided pursuant to the provisions of this section.

(cf: P.L.2008, c.29, s.115)

2. This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This bill clarifies the functions of the "Law Enforcement Officer Crisis Intervention Services" telephone hotline, more commonly known as the “Cop 2 Cop” hotline. Through this program, the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ), in partnership with the Department of Human Services, provides crisis intervention services to New Jersey’s law enforcement community.

The bill specifies that the operators of the hotline, at an officer’s request, would: (1) arrange for the provision of critical incident stress management and crisis intervention services to be provided by a network of responders or a crisis intervention team, and (2) provide law enforcement suicide prevention, intervention and post-intervention services.

The bill further provides that the hotline staff is to conduct educational and outreach activities within the law enforcement community to ensure that the services of the telephone hotline are accessible to, and utilized by, officers and their families who are in need of the program’s assistance and services.

Cop 2 Cop, which has handled more than 26,000 calls from distressed officers in the last decade, has become an essential program for law enforcement officers. Focusing on suicide prevention and mental health support, the hotline is staffed by retired officers who are licensed Clinical Social Workers known as Cop Clinicians, and specially trained Mental Health professionals, along with volunteer retired officers who are trained as peer supporters. Cop 2 Cop provides a confidential, safe outlet where law enforcement officers can communicate with peers who understand and support their concerns.