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

AG Grewal Launches “Beta Version” of Statewide Use of Force Dashboard

Apr 6, 2021 | Excellence in Policing, Office of Public Integrity and Accountability, Press Release

Members of the Public Invited to Test, Provide Feedback on Policing Accountability ProjectFor Immediate Release: April 6, 2021 Office of The Attorney General- Gurbir S. Grewal, Attorney GeneralOffice of Public Integrity and Accountability- Thomas J. Eicher,...

AG Grewal Overhauls Statewide Police Use of Force Policies

Feb 10, 2021 | Excellence in Policing, Office of Public Integrity and Accountability, Policing Policy, Press Release, Strengthening Police-Community Relations

Sweeping New Rules Place Strict Limits on Use of Force, Establish New Framework for Civilian Interactions; Will Apply to All 38,000 Officers in New JerseyFor Immediate Release: December 21, 2020 Office of The Attorney General- Gurbir S. Grewal, Attorney GeneralOffice...

AG Grewal Announces “Excellence in Policing” Initiative to Promote Professionalism, Accountability, and Transparency in Law Enforcement

Feb 4, 2021 | Excellence in Policing, Office of Public Integrity and Accountability, Officer Resiliency, Policing Policy, Press Release, Public Integrity

Initiative Includes New Statewide Policies Regarding Officer-Involved Shootings, Internal Affairs Investigations, Disclosure of Exculpatory Evidence, and Other Policing IssuesFor Immediate Release: December 4, 2019 Office of The Attorney General- Gurbir S....

AG Grewal Issues Guidance on Law Enforcement Involvement in Election Activities and Protections Against Unlawful Voter Intimidation

Oct 16, 2020 | Division of Criminal Justice, Excellence in Policing, Office of Law Enforcement Professional Standards, Policing Policy, Press Release

For Immediate Release: October 16, 2020 Office of The Attorney General- Gurbir S. Grewal, Attorney General For Further Information: Media Inquiries-Peter Aseltine609-292-4791Citizen Inquiries-609-984-5828 Election Guidance to NJ Law Enforcement TRENTON – Attorney...

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.

Excellence in Policing