SENATE LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 2590  

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  AUGUST 21, 2020

      The Senate Law and Public Safety Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 2590.

      As reported by the committee, Senate Bill No. 2590 requires the State Civil Service Commission to include on the Civil Service entry-level law enforcement examination questions designed to identify implicit bias, including racial bias, in candidates applying for appointment to law enforcement officer positions.  The test is required for applicants for municipal and county police officers, adult and juvenile correctional police officers, sheriff’s officers, and other law enforcement officer positions.

     Implicit bias refers to unconscious attitudes or stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions, and decisions and may cause feelings and attitudes about other people based on characteristics such as race, ethnicity, age, and appearance.