This bill mandates that county prosecutors are responsible for initiating internal affairs investigations for municipal, county, and higher education law enforcement agencies in New Jersey. Specifically, it requires that any complaints of officer misconduct received by these agencies must be immediately transferred to the county prosecutor for investigation. Additionally, if a petition for a temporary extreme risk protective order is filed against a law enforcement officer, the petition must be transferred to the county prosecutor to initiate an internal affairs investigation. The prosecutor will then determine whether to refer the matter to the courts, while ensuring that the officer is not terminated during the investigation process.

Furthermore, the bill amends existing laws to ensure that all law enforcement agencies adopt guidelines consistent with the "Internal Affairs Policy and Procedures" and mandates that they act promptly upon receiving complaints of officer misconduct. The new provisions aim to enhance accountability and transparency within law enforcement agencies by centralizing the investigation process under the county prosecutor's office. This approach is intended to ensure that investigations are conducted fairly and without bias, particularly in cases involving law enforcement personnel.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 2C:58-23, 40A:14-181