Police Training Cuts Threaten Public
Safety
A
Press Release by the New Jersey FOP State Office
Police and Law Enforcement News
NJLawman.com
Tuesday, May 13, 2008 9:10 a.m.
Trenton, NJ, May 12, 2008 -- Proposed
cuts to the New Jersey's Police Training Commission's budget
threaten the preparedness of police recruits and public safety,
according to the Fraternal Order of Police - New Jersey State Lodge.
The commission would lose five of its
six full-time employees, leaving the organization essentially
incapable of certifying police academies and academy classes and
instructors.
In a letter to Governor Corzine, the
statewide police organization is asking that funding to the
commission be restored.
"The commission ensures that young
police recruits are properly trained to perform the duties of law
enforcement officers," said Edward R. Brannigan, president of the
FOP-NJ. "Losing the Police Training Commission means there will be
no one to oversee that what recruits are taught reflects the latest
advances in law enforcement procedure."
The commission develops and certifies
basic training courses taught at New Jersey's 23 police academies.
The commission updates these courses as needed based on legislation,
court decisions and advances in the technology and current knowledge
regarding law enforcement practices. It also certifies that academy
instructors are qualified to teach.
It is the commission's duty to see
that recruits receive proper instruction regarding all facets of
police duty, especially in critical areas like firearm practices and
the use of force.
By establishing course standards, the
commission ensures that recruits receive consistent and uniform
instruction among all police academies. The commission also
certifies police firearms ranges, range masters and firearm
instructors for the in-service training and education of current
police officers.
"We have seen no plan from the state
describing how it will certify police recruits if 85% of the
commission's staff is laid off," said Brannigan. "If these cuts to
the commission's staff are made, we fear that New Jersey will be
unable to ensure that police recruits receive the training and
education they need to protect the public."
Beyond its impact on public safety,
the cuts may make municipalities vulnerable to lawsuits for the
actions of law enforcement officers not properly trained or
certified. Towns may be subject to very large judgments to the
plaintiffs.
"The work of the commission and its
employees may go unnoticed by the public, but what they do helps
prepare law enforcement officers for the duties and dangers of
police work," continued Brannigan. "We hope that the proposed
reduction of the commission's staff is reconsidered so that the
commission may continue to certify the preparedness of New Jersey's
law enforcement officers."
______________________________
The Fraternal Order of Police is
the world's largest organization of sworn law enforcement officers,
with more than 324,000 members in more than 2,100 lodges. The FOP is
the voice of those who dedicate their lives to protecting and
serving our communities. It is committed to improving the working
conditions of law enforcement officers and the safety of those we
serve through education, legislation, information, community
involvement, and employee representation.
Police and Law Enforcement News
NJLawman.com
Tuesday, May 13, 2008 9:10 a.m. |
