Excellence in Policing
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
Statement of Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin on the Court Decision Regarding the Supersession of the Paterson Police Department
For Immediate Release: December 18, 2024 Office of the Attorney General- Matthew J. Platkin, Attorney GeneralFor Further Information: Media Inquiries-OAGpress@njoag.govWe are deeply disappointed with today’s ruling — which comes nearly two years after the State took...
Attorney General Platkin Announces New Office in Department of Law & Public Safety to Promote Continued Excellence in Policing
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,...
Attorney General Platkin Announces the Recipients of the 2024 Excellence in Policing Awards in Commemoration of National Police Week
For Immediate Release: May 9, 2024 Office of the Attorney General- Matthew J. Platkin, Attorney GeneralFor Further Information: Media Inquiries-Mariluz Garcia-DiazOAGpress@njoag.govView Livestream TRENTON — Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin today announced the...
N.J. Police Licensure Act Takes Effect
A new state law went into effect this month requiring New Jersey’s approximately 40,500 police officers to hold valid, active licenses issued by the Police Training Commission (PTC) in order to serve as law enforcement officers.
“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.
