SENATE LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 4208

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  DECEMBER 16, 2021

      The Senate Law and Public Safety Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 4208, with committee amendments.

      As amended and reported by the committee, this bill permits the employment of police officers without an examination and prior to taking a training course approved by the Police Training Commission.  The bill also provides for veterans hiring preference in certain cases.

      Under the provisions of the amended bill, the Civil Service Commission is required to permit a municipal or county police department to recruit and employ a person as a probationary entry-level police officer prior to the person taking a full Basic Course for Police Officers training course approved by the New Jersey Police Training Commission, and exempt the person from taking the civil service examination for an entry-level police officer. 

      The amended bill provides that a person hired under the bill’s provisions is required to successfully complete a full Basic Course for Police Officers training course within nine months from the date of hire as a probationary entry-level police officer.  The nine-month limit may be extended in certain cases for an additional six months. 

      Upon successful completion of the course, the person is to be promoted from a probationary entry-level police officer to an entry-level police officer. 

      Under the amended bill, a municipal or county police department may recruit and employ a person as a probationary entry-level police officer pursuant to the bill’s provisions upon adoption of an ordinance or resolution by the governing body authorizing the hiring by the department; adoption of an ordinance or resolution providing hiring preference to veterans, as defined in civil service law, provided that in all measurable criteria the veteran and nonveteran are equally qualified for the position; and the adoption of a conflict of interest and nepotism policy. 

      Under current law, a municipal or county police department may hire a person who is exempt from the requirement to take an examination for an entry-level law enforcement position as a result of the successful completion of a full Basic Course for Police officers training course upon the adoption of an ordinance or resolution by the governing body authorizing the hiring by the police department and the adoption of a conflict of interest and nepotism policy.  This amended bill also requires the adoption of an ordinance or resolution providing hiring preference for veterans, as defined in civil service law, provided that in all measurable criteria the veteran and nonveteran are equally qualified for the position.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to change the effective date from six months following enactment of the bill to 30 days following the enactment of the bill.