Bill
A 3280
New Jersey sets a statewide use-of-force policy requiring de-escalation, proportionality, intercede/report violations, clear firearm rules, and ongoing training for all officers.
Status & timeline
- Introduced: January 9, 2024 (Assembly).
- Enacted / Signed by Governor: October 16, 2025 (Chapter 447).
- Effective date: first day of the seventh month after enactment (with enactment Oct 16, 2025, that is May 1, 2026).
- Attorney General publication deadline: the Attorney General must publish the revised statewide use-of-force procedures on the first day of the eighth month following the act’s effective date (with the dates above, that is Jan. 1, 2027).
- Legislative path: Passed Assembly (May 27, 2025); passed Senate (June 11, 2025); delivered to governor Oct. 9, 2025; signed Oct. 16, 2025.
Purpose
- Establish a modern, minimum statewide standard for law enforcement use-of-force policies and reporting in New Jersey. The bill directs the Attorney General to revise the State’s use-of-force policy (last updated in 2001) to reflect current best practices and to protect life, dignity, and civil rights.
Key provisions
The Attorney General’s revised policy must include (among other items):
- A requirement to use de-escalation, crisis intervention, and other force alternatives when feasible.
- Proportionality: officers may use only the level of force reasonably believed to be proportional to the offense or perceived resistance.
- Duty to report: officers must report potential excessive force by another officer when present and observing.
- Duty to intercede: officers who are present and observe force that is clearly beyond necessary must intercede (while taking into account that other officers may have additional information).
- Specific, clear guidelines on when firearms may be drawn, pointed, and discharged; and requirement to consider bystander risk before firing when reasonable.
- Procedures for citizen complaints, and for filing, investigating, and reporting use-of-force incidents.
- Comprehensive guidance on approved methods and devices (including deadly force).
- Requirement to promptly provide or procure medical assistance for persons injured in use-of-force incidents when reasonable and safe.
- Training standards: required training, minimum course titles, demonstrated knowledge of the policy, and training special guidance for vulnerable populations (children, elderly, pregnant persons, persons with physical/mental/developmental disabilities).
- Factors for evaluating and reviewing use-of-force incidents.
- Explicit requirement that officers carry out duties, including force, fairly and without bias.
- A requirement for regular review and updating of the policy to reflect developing practices.
Who is affected
- All New Jersey law enforcement agencies and officers subject to the Attorney General’s statewide policies.
- Individuals involved in encounters with police (including vulnerable populations).
- Agency training programs, internal affairs/complaint investigators, and the Attorney General’s Office (which must draft, publish, and maintain the policy).
Related bills / prior versions
- Companion and related measures: S2968, S3323 (companions); prior-session bills A7741, A6042.
Implications
- Creates a uniform statewide baseline for use-of-force policy, training, reporting, and review, intended to standardize practices across local and state law enforcement agencies and to emphasize de-escalation, accountability, and protection of vulnerable populations.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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