AR115

An Assembly Resolution urging the Attorney General to establish for all New Jersey law enforcement officers minimum in-service training requirements regarding dealing with the developmentally disabled and persons having a behavioral health crisis.

Whereas, The State relies on its law enforcement officers to keep neighborhoods safe, enforce the laws, and respond in times of crises; and

Whereas, While in the course of their duties, law enforcement officers encounter residents who have developmental disabilities or who may be having a behavioral health crisis; and

Whereas, In accordance with current statutory law, the Police Training Commission’s basic training requirements include developmental disabilities awareness training, and the basic training also includes guidance for law enforcement officers in responding to individuals with special needs, as well as crisis intervention training; and

Whereas, Although law enforcement officers receive basic training in developmental disabilities and behavioral health issues, there does not appear to be Statewide mandatory in-service training requirements; and

Whereas, Additional training, although not mandatory, is available in certain police training academies Statewide; and

Whereas, The Attorney General, in cooperation with local, county, and State law enforcement agencies, should establish, and promulgate guidelines concerning, in-service training for law enforcement regarding the developmentally disabled population and persons in a behavioral health crisis; and

Whereas, A minimum of two hours of training every three years has been beneficial in those departments that currently incorporate this in-service training requirement; and

Whereas, Currently, NJLearn offers programs which are free to first responders and emergency personnel that may be incorporated into basic training and in-service hours; and

Whereas, The Attorney General should establish for all New Jersey law enforcement officers a minimum of two hours of in-service training every three years regarding dealing with the developmentally disabled and persons in a behavioral health crisis; now, therefore,

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

1. This House urges the Attorney General to establish in-service training requirements regarding dealing with the developmentally disabled and persons in a behavioral health crisis for all New Jersey law enforcement officers to expand their awareness of the needs of these populations.

2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to the Governor of this State, the New Jersey Attorney General, and to every member of Congress elected from this State.

STATEMENT

This Assembly Resolution urges the Attorney General to establish in-service training requirements for all New Jersey law enforcement officers regarding dealing with individuals who are developmentally disabled or experiencing a behavioral health crisis. The purpose of this training is to expand law enforcement’s awareness of the needs of persons who are developmentally disabled or who have behavioral health issues.

The resolution encourages the Attorney General, in cooperation with local, county, and State law enforcement agencies, to establish the training and promulgate guidelines. Specifically, the resolution notes that a minimum of two hours of training every three years has been beneficial in those departments that currently incorporate this in-service training requirement.

The resolution suggests NJLearn as a possible source of this training. Currently, NJLearn offers programs which are free to first responders and emergency personnel that may be incorporated into in-service training for law enforcement officers.