State of New Jersey | Department of Law & Public Safety

Matthew J. Platkin, Attorney General

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

Attorney General Platkin Announces New Office in Department of Law & Public Safety to Promote Continued Excellence in Policing

Nov 4, 2024 | , , , , ,

Office of Policing Strategy and Innovation, Led by Executive Director Isa Abbassi, Will Bring Statewide, Centralized Approach to Policing Policy, Research, and TechnologyFor Immediate Release: November 4, 2024 Office of the Attorney General- Matthew J. Platkin,...

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Attorney General Platkin Announces Recipients of the Excellence in Policing Awards in Commemoration of National Police Week

May 12, 2023 | , , , ,

For Immediate Release: May 12, 2023 Office of the Attorney General- Matthew J. Platkin, Attorney GeneralFor Further Information: Media Inquiries-OAGpress@njoag.govView Livestream TRENTON - Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin today announced the winners of the 2023...

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“Excellence in Policing” Policy Documents

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

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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