Bill Text: NJ AR149 | 2026-2027 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Supports all law enforcement officers and urges each county and municipality to similarly express support for all law enforcement.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 7)
Status: (Introduced) 2026-09-10 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee [AR149 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2026-AR149-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman ALEX SAUICKIE
District 12 (Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblymen Clifton and Azzariti Jr.
SYNOPSIS
Supports all law enforcement officers and urges each county and municipality to similarly express support for all law enforcement.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution expressing support for all law enforcement officers and urging each county and municipality in this State to similarly express its support for law enforcement.
Whereas, Law enforcement officers serve the public honorably, working tirelessly and relentlessly to safeguard the communities they are sworn to protect and functioning as the backbone of public safety in this State and across the nation; and
Whereas, Law enforcement officers routinely and selflessly risk their own lives and safety to combat crime; remove dangerous and lethal drugs from the streets; and protect all people regardless of religion, race, gender, sexual orientation, age, ability, or socio-economic status; and
Whereas, In addition to their day-to-day police work, law enforcement officers have the ever-increasing responsibility of responding to threats of violence, which have expanded from targeting elected officials and political figures to also targeting Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), health care providers, housing administrators, educators, and judges; and
Whereas, While upholding the rule of law and maintaining the safety, stability, and public order on which communities depend, law enforcement officers also strengthen communities by providing a quiet and steady presence and taking on responsibilities that extend far beyond traditional law enforcement duties; and
Whereas, Law enforcement officers commit countless acts of service that often go unrecognized, such as checking in on elderly residents, mentoring youth, responding to crises, including mental health crises, and conducting community outreach; and
Whereas, Nonetheless, many political and community leaders support defunding or dismantling police departments across the nation, which would undermine public safety and place both officers and the communities they serve at greater risk; and
Whereas, There has been a disturbing rise in hate-fueled rhetoric from political and community leaders, which has contributed to the increasing number of violent acts against law enforcement officers, elected officials, and members of the public; and
Whereas, Sanctuary city policies that restrict cooperation with federal immigration law enforcement agencies, such as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), actively encourage resentment of local law enforcement and often pit local, state, and federal law enforcement against one another; and
Whereas, Politicians across the nation have demonized ICE law enforcement officers, stating their cities were at war with ICE, calling for ICE officers to leave their state or city, and comparing ICE to the Nazi Party and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics' KGB; and
Whereas, Individuals on social media, talk radio, and other media platforms not only publicize this anti-law enforcement rhetoric but often add their own hate-fueled rhetoric that demonizes law enforcement officers; and
Whereas, This increasingly inflammatory rhetoric and the resulting violence against law enforcement officers frequently reflects partisan ideology that ignores the critical role law enforcement officers play in their communities; and
Whereas, Law enforcement officers deserve the deepest respect, unwavering support, and profound gratitude from all New Jersey citizens and governmental entities in the State; and
Whereas, While open public discourse is proper and protected under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, it is in the public interest of the citizens of the State and this great nation to condemn, in the strongest terms, the increasingly inflammatory rhetoric and actions that incite, encourage, or legitimatize violence against law enforcement officers; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House recognizes and supports the critical, noble, and often perilous work of all law enforcement officers in this State and across the nation.
2. This House urges each county and municipality in the State to enact a resolution that similarly recognizes and supports the work of all law enforcement officers in this State and across the nation.
3. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to the Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police, the President and Executive Director of the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, the President of the New Jersey State Policemen's Benevolent Association (PBA), the President of the New Jersey Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), the governing body of each county in the State, and the President of the New Jersey State League of Municipalities.
STATEMENT
This Assembly resolution recognizes and expresses support for the critical and noble work of all law enforcement officers in the State and across the nation. The resolution also urges each county and municipality in the State to pass a resolution expressing the same support.
Law enforcement officers in the State and across the nation have countless responsibilities, which are ever-increasing as threats of violence continue to expand. In addition to upholding the rule of law and maintaining safety, law enforcement officers strengthen communities by providing a quiet and steady presence and taking on responsibilities far beyond traditional law enforcement duties, such as checking on elderly residents, mentoring youth, conducting community outreach, and responding to crises, including mental health crises.
Nonetheless, many political and community leaders support defunding or dismantling police departments across the nation. There has been a disturbing rise in hate-fueled rhetoric from political and community leaders advocating for violence against law enforcement officers, elected officials, and members of the public, which often reflects partisan ideology that ignores the critical role law enforcement officers play in their communities. Sanctuary city policies particularly encourage the public to resent law enforcement and often pit local, state, and federal law enforcement officers against one another. Media personalities also contribute to and publicize the anti-law enforcement rhetoric that has become too common.
Law enforcement officers at all levels deserve respect, support, and gratitude from the State and the citizens of the State. While open public discourse is proper and protected under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, it is in the public's interest to condemn the increasingly inflammatory rhetoric and anti-law enforcement actions that incite, encourage, or legitimize violence in any form.
