Bill > A2723

Introduced Session

This bill requires law enforcement officers in this State to annually pass a physical fitness examination. Law enforcement officers in this State currently are required to meet certain physical fitness testing requirements as part of the Police Training Commission's basic training. A trainee who does not meet the minimum physical fitness testing requirements is dismissed from the training academy. This bill requires all full-time, part-time, permanent, and temporary law enforcement officers in the State who are empowered to enforce, act for the detection, investigation, arrest, conviction, and detention of the State's criminal laws, and who are required to complete a training course approved by the Police Training Commission to annually pass a physical fitness examination. Under the bill, the Police Training Commission, in consultation with the Attorney General and the Director of the Division of Criminal Justice in the Department of Law and Public Safety, is required to develop and approve, in accordance with an officer's age and gender, minimum physical fitness testing standards for the annual exam. These physical conditioning testing standards are to be reviewed at least every two years and modified as necessary. The provisions of the bill also require the Police Training Commission to issue a recommendation to the employer of any officer who fails the annual physical fitness examination regarding disciplinary actions to be taken against the officer including, but not limited to, demotion or termination. The Police Training Commission also is required to adopt rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of the bill which also shall address the consequences of an officer's failure to pass a physical fitness exam including, but not limited to, demotion or termination. Finally, the bill appropriates $500,000 from the General Fund to the Police Training Commission to effectuate the provisions of the bill.

Committee Categories

Brian Bergen (R)*, 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee (on 01/09/2024)

Official Document