ASSEMBLY LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 5506

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 2, 2021

      The Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 5506.

      As reported by the committee, Assembly Bill No. 5506 requires the chief law enforcement officer of every municipal police department in this State to sponsor at least two community roundtables on police relations each year.   

     The bill specifically requires the chief law enforcement officer of the municipality or, if the municipality does not have a chief law enforcement officer, the Superintendent of State Police to sponsor an open community roundtable on police relations in the spring and fall of each calendar year.  The bill requires these community roundtables to held in the evening at a central location in the municipality with ample notice in order to maximize public participation. 

     Topics to be addressed at the community roundtables include race relations and racial profiling; recruitment, selection, and retention of officers; training and education of recruits and supervisors; regulation of body worn cameras; and use of force, police misconduct, and internal affairs investigations. 

      According to the sponsor, the grassroots, diverse discussions that are the basis of community roundtables are essential in addressing the complex and divisive issues involving citizens and police officers.  Community roundtables are an ideal forum for addressing these critical public issues in a democratic and collaborative way.