Criminal Justice (Policing)

S 3068 makes it a serious felony (first-degree crime) for law enforcement officers - including police, corrections staff, probation officers, and sheriffs - to intentionally block someone’s nose or mouth or apply a chokehold that causes serious injury or death. The bill specifically targets officers acting in their official capacity while wearing uniforms or displaying authority. It defines "chokehold" broadly to include any pressure on the throat or windpipe that hinders breathing, with penalties of up to 20 years in prison or a $200,000 fine. This law directly affects all New Jersey municipal, county, and state law enforcement personnel covered by the bill’s definition.

This bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General to create an online portal for law enforcement officers to report misconduct by other officers. Officers must report within 72 hours if they witness unjustifiable force (per N.J.S.2C:3-7), civil rights violations (per P.L. 2003, c.3), or any criminal offense committed by another officer. The portal also allows anonymous reporting of non-criminal policy violations, with submissions using random identifiers instead of personal details. This directly affects all law enforcement officers in the state who observe misconduct.

This bill requires New Jersey's Civil Service Commission to add exam questions about implicit bias - including racial bias - to the entry-level civil service test for all law enforcement applicants. It directly affects candidates seeking jobs as municipal police officers, county police officers, correctional officers (adult and juvenile), and sheriff's deputies. The key provision mandates that the exam include questions designed to identify unconscious biases that may influence decision-making. The bill takes effect four months after enactment, with the Commission allowed to prepare in advance. It does not change hiring standards but adds a new evaluation component for all entry-level law enforcement positions.