This bill amends current law to provide credit for prior military law enforcement officers seeking employment as law enforcement officers in New Jersey. Specifically, it allows these individuals to be exempted from taking parts of the basic police training course that are substantially similar to training they have already completed during their military service, as long as their separation from the Armed Forces or a Reserve component was under honorable conditions. The amount of credit granted will be determined by the Police Training Commission, but the bill clarifies that it does not allow for a complete exemption from the entire basic training course.

Under existing law, the Police Training Commission can exempt individuals from police training requirements if they have completed a substantially equivalent course from any recognized agency. This bill expands those exemptions to include military law enforcement officers, thereby recognizing their training and experience while facilitating their transition into civilian law enforcement roles. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 52:17B-68