Bill Text: NJ A4395 | 2014-2015 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Permits appointment of certain lawful permanent residents to county and municipal forces and State Police.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-05-11 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee [A4395 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2014-A4395-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman CARMELO G. GARCIA
District 33 (Hudson)
Assemblyman GARY S. SCHAER
District 36 (Bergen and Passaic)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblyman Fuentes
SYNOPSIS
Permits appointment of certain lawful permanent residents to county and municipal forces and State Police.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning police officers and amending N.J.S.40A:14-106, N.J.S.40A:14-122, and R.S.53:1-9.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. N.J.S.40A:14-106 is amended to read as follows:
40A:14-106. The governing body of any county, adopting rules for the regulation of traffic upon the county highways and roads and for the enforcement of laws pertaining thereto, by ordinance or resolution, as appropriate, may create and establish a county police department and force and provide for its maintenance, regulation and control. Except as otherwise provided by law, the governing body may appoint a chief of the department and [such] other members, officers and personnel as shall be deemed necessary, determine their terms of office, fix their compensation and prescribe their powers, functions and duties. A citizen of the United States, or a lawful permanent resident of the United States who is an honorably discharged veteran of the United States Armed Forces or a reserve component thereof, shall be eligible for employment as a member of a county police department and force. The governing body shall adopt and promulgate rules and regulations for the government of the department and force and for the discipline of its members.
(cf: P.L.1981, c.126, s.1)
2. N.J.S.40A:14-122 is amended to read as follows:
40A:14-122. Except as otherwise provided by law, no person shall be appointed as a member of the police department and force, unless he:
(1) is a citizen of the United States, or a lawful permanent resident of the United States who is an honorably discharged veteran of the United States Armed Forces or a reserve component thereof;
(2) is sound in body and of good health sufficient to satisfy the board of trustees of the police and firemen's retirement system of New Jersey as to his eligibility for membership in the retirement system;
(3) is able to read, write and speak the English language well and intelligently;
(4) is of good moral character, and has not been convicted of any criminal offense involving moral turpitude.
The appointing body, officer or officers of the municipality when authorized so to do, may employ [such] officers and other personnel for [said] the police department and force as temporary employees in emergencies, or for certain specified parts of the year, as needed.
Except as otherwise provided by law, any permanent member or officer of [such] the police department and force who shall be absent from duty without just cause or leave of absence, for a continuous period of [5] five days, shall cease to be a member of [such] the police department and force.
(cf: P.L.1971, c.443, s.4)
3. R.S.53:1-9 is amended to read as follows:
53:1-9. No person shall be appointed a member of the State Police unless he shall be a citizen of the United States, or a lawful permanent resident of the United States who is an honorably discharged veteran of the United States Armed Forces or a reserve component thereof; between the ages of 21 and 35 years[,]; preferably a resident of this State[,]; and of good health and good moral character. No one shall be appointed who has not applied for and taken an examination conducted by the Division of State Police, and established to the satisfaction of the superintendent, evidence of his mental and physical fitness and ability to perform the duties of a member of the State Police.
Preference in appointment shall be provided to all qualified applicants who are veterans, as defined in N.J.S.11A:5-1.
The superintendent shall, with the approval of the Governor, arrange for the examination and enlistment of applicants.
(cf: P.L.2014, c.51. s.1)
4. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill permits the appointment of a lawful permanent resident of the United States who is an honorably discharged veteran of the United States Armed Forces or a reserve component of the United States Armed Forces as a county or municipal police officer or a member of the New Jersey State Police. Currently, only a United States citizen may be appointed as a police officer or member of the State Police.
