New Law Requires State’s ~40,500 Officers to Obtain Licenses as a Step Towards Professional Standardization
MORRISTOWN, NJ – New Jersey has initiated a significant reform in law enforcement with the enforcement of the Police Licensure Act, mandating all police officers in the state to hold active licenses from the Police Training Commission (PTC). Effective since January 1, 2024, this act brings a new dimension to policing standards in New Jersey.
The Act, signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy in July 2022 and going into effect this year, aims to ensure that police officers maintain uniform professional standards and receive ongoing best practices training. New Jersey joins over 40 other states in establishing a licensing system for law enforcement officers.
The Act stipulates that existing officers, who were already serving beyond their probationary period at the start of the year, have been granted initial licenses valid for one, two, or three years. These durations were randomly assigned to facilitate staggered renewal times. Following the first renewal cycle, all licenses will be valid for three years. Officers must reapply 90 days before their license expires and submit the required documentation. Police chiefs are tasked with certifying the good moral character, standard adherence, training completion, and conduct review for each renewing officer.