New Jersey State Police

Department Policy and Procedures

Section 1. General On Duty Conduct

1.1 A: Professionalism must be maintained at all times whilst performing your duties as a Law Enforcement Officer within the State of New Jersey.

1.1 B: Unprofessional actions include, however are not limited to: Insulting civilians, treating other officers from different agencies with disrespect, improper wear of uniform.

1.2 A: Harassment is strictly prohibited within the New Jersey State Police. Any and all forms of harassment are taken with the upmost severity.

1.3 A: While operating any department issued vehicle, all Troopers must be cautious of speed limits and how they operate vehicles. Operate all department issued vehicles with due regard for public safety.

1.4 A: Department Core Values and our Mission Statement must be upheld at all times.

1.5 A: Any Trooper within the New Jersey State Police must identify upon request. Identification includes, last name, badge number, and assigned Troop/command.

Section 2. Use of Force

The UoF (Use of Force) continuum must be followed at all times whilst in the performance of your duties as a Law Enforcement Officer within the State of New Jersey. A supervisor must be called for any type of force used past Level 2. (Level 3+)

Level 1. Verbal Commands (ex. "Stop reaching")
Level 2. Soft Contact (ex. Grabbing, any form of touch)

Level 3. Hard Contact (ex. Punching, kicking)
Level 4. Chemical Agent (OC Spray)
Level 5. Conducted Energy Weapon (Taser)

Level 6. Usage of blunt force object (Baton)

Level 7. Lethal Force 

Section 3. Duty Issued Equipment

All Troopers with the New Jersey State Police are issued standard equipment. This includes, Glock 19 Gen 4, ASP Baton, handcuffs, OC Spray, 12 Gauge Mossberg 590 pump action shotgun.

Optional equipment include: Tasers, back-up/spare firearm(s) that must be concealed by a ankle/boot holster that will not be provided by the department, knives that must be foldable that are to be concealed in a pocket, or a fixed blade knife that must be concealed within the Trooper's boot.

Unauthorized equipment includes the following: Personally owned rifles, personally owned shotguns, swords, machetes, lassos, personal vehicles w/ lighting packages.

Section 4. Pursuits

Pursuits are to be initiated at officer discretion. Generally, pursuits should not be initiated for simple infractions but rather misdemeanors or felony charges. Pursuits may be terminated at any time by a supervisor. Pursuit intervention tactics (PIT, rolling roadblock, spike strips, etc...) must be requested for use and approved by the supervisor attached to the pursuit. Pursuits are to be terminated if speeds excess 130 MPH, however exceptions are made if weather and traffic conditions allow.

Pursuits are to be called over the radio with location, vehicle description, and speeds. 

Pursuit intervention tactics are to be executed under the following circumstances.

PITs (spinning out the suspect vehicle) are permitted to be executed as long as speeds do not excess over 80 MPH.

Rolling Roadblocks are permitted to be executed as long as speeds do not excess over 65 MPH.

Spike Strips are permitted to be executed as long as speeds do not excess over 80 MPH.

"Tire Shots" are not authorized by standard means. These must be approved by a Lieutenant or above, and must be justified upon completion of scene.

Section 5. Take Home Cars

Take home cars are defined as the following: A police vehicle or vehicle issued by a Law Enforcement Agency that an officer or employee make take to their residence upon completion of their shift.

Supervisors, along with detectives with the Criminal Investigations Bureau are permitted to take their vehicles home. These vehicles are not to be used for personal use such as, getting groceries, visiting friends, picking people up from locations, or street racing. A list of Troopers permitted to take home their vehicles will be provided on an interdepartmental list.