SENATE, No. 2129

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

215th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED JUNE 28, 2012

 

 

Sponsored by:

Senator  DONALD NORCROSS

District 5 (Camden and Gloucester)

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Permits sheriff to appoint Class Two special law enforcement officers for court-related duties.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As introduced.

  

An Act permitting sheriffs to appoint certain special law enforcement officers and supplementing Title 40A of the New Jersey Statutes.

 

     Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

     1.  a.  For the purposes of P.L.1985, c.439 (C.40A:14-146.8 et seq.) regarding the appointment of Class Two special law enforcement officers, a county sheriff shall be entitled to act as a local unit, as defined in that act.

     b.  Class Two special law enforcement officers appointed pursuant to subsection a. of this section shall be authorized to perform court-related duties.

 

     2.  This act shall take effect immediately.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

     This bill would permit sheriffs to hire certain special law enforcement officers to perform court-related duties.

     Under current law, only municipalities are authorized to hire special law enforcement officers to provide supplementary police services, particularly during unusual or emergency circumstances.

     This bill would extend that appointing authority to include sheriffs, so that a sheriff could appoint a Class Two officer to perform court-related duties.

     Municipalities are authorized to appoint two different types of special law enforcement officers.  Class One officers are authorized to perform routine traffic detail, spectator control and similar duties.  They also may be empowered to issue summons for disorderly persons offenses.  Class One officers are not authorized to carry a firearm while on duty.

     Class Two officers are empowered to exercise full police powers and perform the duties of a permanent, regularly appointed full-time police officer.  They are authorized to carry a firearm.

     This bill permits sheriffs to appoint only Class Two special law enforcement officers.