Section 52:17B-71a - Licensing process established; powers, responsibilities, dutiesThe commission shall establish the process by which law enforcement officers shall be licensed and the implementation of that process. The commission is vested with the power, responsibility, and duty:
a. to prescribe minimum standards and requirements for the licensure for law enforcement officers and to maintain the status as a licensed law enforcement officer for the purpose of promoting and assuring integrity, competence, professionalism, and fitness for duty. The minimum standards shall include, but not be limited to: (1) minimum pre-employment qualifications for law enforcement officer applicants, including but not limited to, age requirements, residency requirements, background investigations, psychological examinations, and educational requirements;(2) minimum post-academy training and educational requirements, including but not limited to required field training hours for recent academy graduates and required continuing educational courses for law enforcement officers; and(3) minimum standards of professional conduct;b. to establish a licensure process and applicable criteria for license issuance, renewal, suspension, revocation, or denial; andc. to perform or cause to be performed through the licensing committee the following activities related to law enforcement officer licensing:(1) review applications for and, if warranted, issue initial law enforcement officer licenses to qualified applicants;(2) review and act upon matters related to law enforcement officer license renewal, suspension, revocation, or denial;(3) conduct license renewal, suspension, revocation, or denial hearings; and(4) suspend, revoke, place conditions upon, or deny a license in the event an individual does not meet any standard or requirement prescribed by the commission.d. The commission shall establish a licensing committee to assist it in exercising the authority provided under this act, including duties with respect to law enforcement officer licensing as set forth in subsection c. of this section and section 19 of P.L. 2022, c. 65(C.52:17B-71f), and including but not limited to, making recommendations for licensure to be considered by the full commission. The composition, membership, terms of membership, and procedures applicable to the function and operations of the licensing committee shall be determined by the commission, provided that the membership of the licensing committee shall include the Attorney General's designee and no less than one public member.
Added by L. 2022, c. 65, s. 9, eff. 1/1/2024.