Excellence in Policing

New Jersey is home to some of the finest law enforcement officers in the country. In fall 2019, Attorney General Gurbir Grewal issued a comprehensive package of policy initiatives designed to reinforce and clarify the Garden State’s commitment to excellence in policing. These statewide reforms are intended to promote the culture of professionalism, accountability, and transparency that are hallmarks of New Jersey’s best law enforcement agencies. Through Attorney General Grewal’s “Excellence in Policing Initiative,” the state is building a national model for strengthening trust between law enforcement officers and the communities they serve.

Professionalism

Improving law enforcement training
Overhauling the state’s Police Training Commission
Promoting officer resiliency
Identifying early warning signs for
at-risk officers

Accountability

Ensuring independent investigations of officer-involved shootings
Creating a more robust police disciplinary process
Developing a proposal for police licensure
Setting minimum standards for Civilian Review Boards

Transparency

Ensuring the public release of police use-of-force footage
Creating systems for timely disclosure of
impeachment material
Collecting and publishing statewide data on police
use-of-force

State Grand Jury Declines to Criminally Charge Officers Involved in Encounter in Paterson, N.J., on October 2, 2021

Dec 5, 2022 | Excellence in Policing, Office of Law Enforcement Professional Standards, Office of Public Integrity and Accountability, Policing Policy, Press Release

For Immediate Release: December 5, 2022 Office of the Attorney General- Matthew J. Platkin, Attorney GeneralOffice of Public Integrity and Accountability- Thomas J. Eicher, Executive Director For Further Information: Media Inquiries-Dan ProchiloOAGpress@njoag.gov...

Acting Attorney General Platkin Issues Updated Guidance on Law Enforcement Involvement in Election Activities and Protections Against Unlawful Voter Intimidation

Feb 18, 2022 | Division of Law, Excellence in Policing, Policing Policy, Press Release

For Immediate Release: February 18, 2022 Office of The Attorney General- Matthew J. Platkin, Acting Attorney GeneralDivision of Law- Michelle Miller, DirectorFor Further Information: Media Inquiries-Lee MooreOAGpress@njoag.govView Guidance TRENTON – Acting Attorney...

Acting AG Bruck Seeks Public Input on the Proper Use of Facial Recognition Technology By Law Enforcement

Jan 14, 2022 | Excellence in Policing, Policing Policy, Press Release

For Immediate Release: January 14, 2022 Office of The Attorney General- Andrew J. Bruck, Acting Attorney GeneralFor Further Information: Media Inquiries-Peter AseltineOAGpress@njoag.govTRENTON – Acting Attorney General Andrew J. Bruck today announced the launch of an...

Acting AG Bruck Announces $165,000 in Grants for Community Policing Programs Focused on Young People

Dec 17, 2021 | Excellence in Policing, Policing Policy, Press Release

For Immediate Release: December 17, 2021 Office of The Attorney General- Andrew J. Bruck, Acting Attorney GeneralFor Further Information: Media Inquiries-Peter AseltineOAGpress@njoag.govTRENTON – Acting Attorney General Andrew J. Bruck today announced that the...

Resources
Excellence in Policing Summary
Excellence in Policing Summary (spanish)
The Independent Prosecutor Directive
Use of Force Portal Training Video
Use of Force Reporting Portal FAQs
Use of Force Reporting Portal Guide
Use of Force Reporting Quick Guide
Use of Force Portal Ad-Hoc Reports Guide (posted February 1, 2022)
2020 – AG Guidance on Chokeholds
and Neck Restraints
Vehicle Pursuit Reporting Guide
Vehicle Pursuit Form Quick Guide

Documents
2020-6: LPS Disclosure of Major Discipline
2020-5: Major Discipline Directive
2019-4: Independent Prosecutor Directive
2019-5: Internal Affairs Directive
2020-Internal Affairs Policy & Procedures
2019-6: Statewide Brady-Giglio Directive
2019-7: Municipal Prosecutor Directive
2019-8: OPIA Directive
Letter Regarding Early Warning Systems
Letter Regarding Use-of-Force Portal
Letter to Police Training Commission

Investigations

Youth Entrepreneur Program

Mandatory Bidder’s Conference – February 7, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. or February 8, 2022 at 1:30 p.m.
Application Submission Deadline – April 4, 2022 by 3:00 p.m.

RFP – Youth Entrepreneur Program

Application Cover Page
Timeline
Budget & Budget Narrative
New Jersey Standard Terms and Conditions, informational
Commission Standard Language Document, informational

How New Jersey Conducts Independent Investigations into Police Use-of-Force and Death-in-Custody Incidents

There are few investigations more important—or more challenging—than those involving the use of force by law enforcement officers against civilians. In December 2019, Attorney General Grewal issued AG Directive 2019-4, known as the Independent Prosecutor Directive, to outline clear procedures governing such investigations and to ensure that they are done fully, fairly, and independently of any potential bias.

Broadly speaking, the Directive outlines a ten-step process for conducting independent investigations of use-of-force and death-in-custody incidents in compliance with State law. Although the precise timing will vary depending on the case, the first three steps generally occur simultaneously in the immediate aftermath of the incident, while the remaining steps unfold over the course of the investigation.

Excellence in Policing