Opinion ID: 2057978
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Probation Officer Community Safety Unit Act

Text: In a series of findings and declarations, the Legislature explained its reasons for enacting the Probation Officer Community Safety Unit Act: 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. [ N.J.S.A. 2B:10A-1.] As a result of those concerns, the Legislature established within the Administrative Office of the Courts a `Probation Officer Community Safety Unit,' consisting overall of no less than 200 probation officers. N.J.S.A. 2B:10A-2(a). The Act requires that a Community Safety Unit of at least five probation officers be assigned to every county. N.J.S.A. 2B:10A-2(b). The Act authorizes the probation officers in those units to carry . . . firearm[s] and to enforce warrants for the apprehension and arrest of probationers who violate the conditions of their probation sentence. N.J.S.A. 2B:10A-2(a). In accordance with the Act, probation officers in the Safety Unit must undergo law enforcement, firearms, and self-defense training in courses administered by the Police Training Commission and must annually qualify in the use of a revolver or similar weapon prior to being permitted to carry a firearm. N.J.S.A. 2B:10A-2(a), -2(c), -3; N.J.S.A. 2C:39-6(c)(17). The Act specifies that the law enforcement and self-defense training must be in accordance with rules adopted by the Supreme Court. N.J.S.A. 2B:10A-2(a), -3. The Act further specifies that probation officers in the unit must comply with rules to be adopted by the Supreme Court when they carry their firearms; arrest, detain, and transport probationers; and enforce the criminal laws. N.J.S.A. 2B:10A-2(a). Last, Section 5 of the Act provides that [t]he Administrative Director of the Courts shall report within 18 months of th[e] act's effective date to the presiding officers of the Senate and General Assembly regarding the effectiveness of the `Probation Officer Community Safety Unit' . . . in tracking and apprehending probationers. L. 2001, c. 362, § 5.