AJR186

A Joint Resolution establishing a task force to study ways to increase diversity and community representation within law enforcement agencies.

Whereas, Law enforcement officers serve a vital role in all communities of this State by enforcing the law, controlling crime, and maintaining public order and safety; and

Whereas, In addition to the regular training law enforcement officers receive, their own personal experiences and backgrounds can be extremely valuable in their daily community interactions; and

Whereas, When law enforcement officers have a personal understanding of the common experiences of members of a community, it helps to promote trust between law enforcement officers and the community; and

Whereas, In recognition of this, many law enforcement agencies have taken measures to increase the diversity of their officers, such as focusing recruitment efforts on underrepresented groups and providing mentoring to new recruits; and

Whereas, Despite these ongoing efforts to increase diversity within law enforcement agencies, many still do not reflect the diversity of the communities they serve, which may put law enforcement agencies at a disadvantage when trying to build community relationships; and

Whereas, It is important for law enforcement agencies to expand their efforts to diversify, and to consider all possible strategies that may help to accomplish this goal, so that law enforcement officers and the communities they serve can work together to keep all residents of the State of New Jersey safe; now, therefore,

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

1. a. There is established the “New Jersey Diversity in Law Enforcement Task Force.” The task force shall study ways to increase diversity and community representation within law enforcement agencies throughout the State of New Jersey including State, local, and municipal police departments.

b. The task force shall consist of 13 members as follows:

(1) one member of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate, and one member of the General Assembly, appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly, who shall each be of different political parties;

(2) the Attorney General, or a designee;

(3) the President of the New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Association, or a designee;

(4) the President of the New Jersey State Troopers Fraternal Association, or a designee;

(5) the President of the New Jersey State Fraternal Order of Police, or a designee;

(6) the National President of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, or a designee;

(7) the Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey, or a designee;

(8) the President of the New Jersey State Conference of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), or a designee;

(9) two representatives of a police department in New Jersey, appointed by the Governor. One of these representatives should represent an urban community and one of these representatives should represent a non-urban community; and

(10) two members of the public, appointed by the Governor. One of these public members should represent an urban community and one of these public members should represent a non-urban community.

c. The members of this task force shall be appointed within 30 days of the effective date of this resolution. The task force shall organize as soon as practicable after the appointment of the task force’s members and the task force shall choose a chairperson from among its members. The presence of seven members shall constitute a quorum.

d. The task force shall meet regularly as the task force determines or at the call of the chairperson. The task force shall hold at least three public hearings in different parts of the State and elicit testimony from the public at such times and places as the chair shall designate.

e. The members of the task force shall serve without compensation.

f. Any vacancies in the membership of the task force shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.

g. The Department of Law and Public Safety shall provide stenographic, clerical, and other administrative assistance and professional staff as the task force requires to carry out the task force’s work. The task force shall be entitled to call to the task force’s assistance and avail itself of the services of the employees of any State, county, or municipal department, board, bureau, commission, or agency as the task force may require and as may be available for the task force’s purposes.

2. a. The task force shall study methods by which to increase diversity and community representation within law enforcement agencies across the State of New Jersey. The task force shall specifically:

(1) examine current data, research, and policies related to diversity issues within law enforcement agencies;

(2) examine current diversity present within law enforcement agencies across the State including State, local, and municipal police departments;

(3) identify effective strategies to increase diversity and community representation within the State’s law enforcement agencies; and

(4) develop recommendations to implement those strategies within law enforcement agencies based on the task force’s findings.

b. The task force shall prepare and submit to the Governor and to the Legislature, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14- 19.1), a final report no later than one year after the organization of the task force.

3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately and shall expire 30 days after the issuance of the task force’s final report and recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature.

STATEMENT

This joint resolution establishes the “New Jersey Diversity in Law Enforcement Task Force” to study ways to increase diversity and community representation within law enforcement agencies throughout the State of New Jersey including State, local, and municipal police departments.

Law enforcement officers serve a vital role in all communities throughout the State of New Jersey by enforcing the law, controlling crime, and maintaining public order and safety. However, law enforcement officers are not always representative of the communities they serve. In recognition of this, many law enforcement agencies have taken measures to increase the diversity of their officers, such as focusing recruitment efforts on underrepresented groups and providing mentoring to new recruits. Despite these efforts to increase diversity within law enforcement agencies, many still do not reflect the diversity of the communities they serve. This lack of diversity and community representation within law enforcement agencies can make it increasingly difficult for law enforcement officers to build lasting community relationships. For these reasons, it is important for law enforcement agencies to expand their efforts to diversify, so that law enforcement officers and the communities they serve can work together to keep all residents of the State of New Jersey safe.

The task force shall consist of 13 members with representation from the Senate, the General Assembly, the Attorney General, the President of the New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Association, the President of the New Jersey State Troopers Fraternal Association, the President of the New Jersey State Fraternal Order of Police, the National President of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, the Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey, the President of the New Jersey State Conference of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), two representatives of local police departments throughout the State, and two representatives of the public. The task force shall examine current data, research, and policies related to diversity issues within law enforcement agencies and examine current diversity present within law enforcement agencies across the State including State, local, and municipal police departments. In addition, the task force shall identify effective strategies to increase diversity and community representation within the State’s law enforcement agencies and develop recommendations to implement those strategies within law enforcement agencies. Within a year after the organization of the task force, the task force shall submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature of the task force’s findings and recommendations.