NJ Revises Police Use-of-Force Rules, Requires Warnings

New Jersey police will soon have new guidelines on when they can hit, chase or shoot suspects under rules announced Monday by the state attorney general’s office, the first overhaul of the state’s use-of-force policy in two decades.

The rules prohibit officers in the state from using deadly force except as a last resort, from using force to speed up an arrest, from using police dogs on suspects who are only resisting arrest, and require departments to review every incident where force was used.

Under the new rules officers 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, NJ.com reports.

The policy  applies to the state’s more than 38,000 officers and will take effect a year from now, on Dec. 31, 2021, but training will begin earlier.

At a virtual press conference with other law enforcement leaders, state Attorney General Gurbir Grewal said the rules were focused on protecting “the sanctity of human life.”