2B:10A-1. Findings, declarations relative to probation officers
1.The Legislature finds and declares that:
a.The enforcement of probation sentences is crucial to the public safety;
b.Despite a drop in the overall crime rate, the number of dangerous and repeat offenders who are serving probation sentences has continued to rise in New Jersey;
c.The number of probationers who have violated the conditions of probation and have a warrant issued for their arrest has reached 15,000;
d.Probation officers working in the New Jersey State courts are not currently permitted to enforce these warrants;
e.Probation officers in other states are permitted to act as law enforcement officers.
L.2001,c.362,s.1.
2B:10A-2. "Probation Officer Community Safety Unit"
2. a. There shall be established within the Administrative Office of the Courts a "Probation Officer Community Safety Unit." The "Probation Officer Community Safety Unit" shall consist of no less than 200 probation officers, duly appointed pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.2A:168-5, who shall be authorized to carry a firearm provided the carrying is in accordance with the authority provided in paragraph (17) of subsection c. of N.J.S.2C:39-6 and such rules as are adopted by the Supreme Court regarding the carrying of a firearm by a probation officer. The probation officer shall undergo a course of law enforcement training as administered by the Police Training Commission which training shall be subject to and in accordance with rules adopted by the Supreme Court. A probation officer in the "Probation Officer Community Safety Unit" shall have the authority to arrest, detain and transport probationers and enforce the criminal laws of this State in accordance with such conditions and guidelines as set forth in rules adopted by the Supreme Court and shall be empowered to enforce warrants for the apprehension and arrest of probationers who violate the conditions of their probation sentence.
b.A "Probation Officer Community Safety Unit" shall be assigned to every county and consist of no less than five probation officers.
c.Prior to being permitted to carry a firearm, a probation officer assigned to the "Probation Officer Community Safety Unit" shall take and successfully complete a firearms training course administered by the Police Training Commission, pursuant to P.L.1961, c.56 (C.52:17B-66 et seq.), and shall annually qualify in the use of a revolver or similar weapon prior to being permitted to carry a firearm.
L.2001,c.362,s.2.
2B:10A-3 Self-defense training for probation officers
3.Any probation officer, duly appointed pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.2A:168-5, including probation officers assigned to the "Probation Officer Community Safety Unit" established pursuant to section 2 of P.L.2001, c.362 (C.2B:10A-2), shall undergo a basic course of self-defense training administered by the Police Training Commission which training shall be subject to and in accordance with rules adopted by the Supreme Court.
L.2001,c.362,s.3.
