N.J. cops will only be able to use deadly force as an ‘absolute last resort’ under policy changes

Police officers in N.J. will only be able to use deadly force as last resort, the state’s Attorney’s office announced.

N.J. police deadly force policy

Under the new guidelines, officers will be prohibited from using force to speed up an arrest and banned from using police dogs on suspects who are only resisting arrest. Departments will also be required to review every incident where force was used.

The policy will take effect a year from now, on Dec. 31, 2021, but training will begin earlier.

“Today is another major step toward addressing gap in trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve,” Gov. Phil Murphy said in a statement, adding that the changes would particularly help “Black and Brown communities who have suffered far too many incidents of improper and excessive force.”

New rules

Some changes expound on the former use-of-force policy, which also said officers should only use force as a last resort.

Cops will be required to explain their actions, respond to questions, “provide a clear warning that force will be used” and give someone “a reasonable opportunity” to respond.

Officers are also encouraged to bring in crisis intervention experts when dealing with someone in a mental health crisis, and Grewal ordered county prosecutors to create local committees to review how cops interact with residents with special needs.