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Bill

Bill

S 4539

Requires Superintendent of State Police to implement policy to diversify State Police Academy civilian instructors and contractors.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Angela McKnight and 1 co-sponsor

Requires NJ State Police to adopt a policy prioritizing women and minority civilian instructors at the Academy, with annual reviews and a demographic report to AG and Legislature.

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee
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Bill Summary · S 4539

Summary of New Jersey S 4539

Overview

S 4539 would require the New Jersey State Police to develop and implement a policy aimed at diversifying civilian instructors and contractors at the State Police Academy. The policy would focus on recruiting and prioritizing women and members of minority groups to diversify instruction for recruits. The bill includes annual policy reviews and an annual demographic report to the Attorney General and the Legislature.

What the bill would do

  • Within six months of the act’s effective date, the Superintendent of the State Police must create and implement a policy to recruit and prioritize women and minorities as civilian instructors and contractors at the State Police Academy.
  • The Superintendent must annually review and update the policy to achieve its diversification goals.
  • The Superintendent must submit an annual report to the Attorney General and the Legislature detailing:
    • The age, gender, race, and ethnicity of every civilian instructor or contractor employed or compensated by the Division of State Police to provide recruit instruction at the Academy.
    • A summary of the annual policy review, including any updates.

Key provisions

  • Scope: Civilian instructors and contractors at the State Police Academy (recruit instruction).
  • Objective: Diversify instructional personnel by prioritizing women and minority applicants.
  • Accountability: Annual reporting requirement to the Attorney General and Legislature, tied to existing reporting statute (P.L.1991, c.164; C.52:14-19.1).
  • Review cycle: The policy must be reviewed and updated annually.

Who is affected

  • State Police recruits who receive instruction at the Academy.
  • Civilian instructors and contractors who provide recruit instruction to the Academy.
  • The Division of State Police, which would implement the policy and compile demographic data for the annual report.
  • The Attorney General and the New Jersey Legislature, which would receive the annual report.

Timeline and procedural notes

  • Effective date: Immediately upon enactment.
  • Policy implementation deadline: Within six months of the act’s effective date.
  • Annual activities: Ongoing review of the policy and annual demographic reporting.

Legislative status and sponsors

  • Status: Introduced in the Senate; referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee.
  • Introducers: Primary sponsor Dan Stec; cosponsor James Tedisco.
  • Related bills: S 7169, S 1306, S 2148, S 4508 (prior sessions); companion A 5644.

Potential impacts (high-level)

  • Increased diversity among civilian instructors and contractors at the State Police Academy.
  • Enhanced exposure of recruits to a broader range of perspectives and experiences.
  • Improved transparency and accountability through annual demographic reporting.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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