Excellence in Policing

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
Recent News

AG Platkin, Police Training Commission Propose New Rules Governing the Granting, Renewal and Revocation of Police Licenses

For Immediate Release: April 24, 2023 Office of the Attorney General- Matthew J. Platkin, Attorney GeneralOffice of Public Integrity and Accountability- Thomas J. Eicher, Executive DirectorFor Further Information: Media Inquiries-Dan ProchiloOAGpress@njoag.govTRENTON...

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

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...

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“Excellence in Policing” Policy Documents
Investigations

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.

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