Assemblyman Craig J. Coughlin
TRENTON – Legislation that would allow some police officers who have had their jobs cut to skip re-taking the basic police training course received final legislative approval Thursday.
The bill (A-3876) would exempt police officers who were laid-off for economic or efficiency reasons from retaking the basic police training course, if they are rehired by their former agency or find a job with a new agency within five years from the date their employment was terminated. Under the current Police Training Commission policy, a police officer who has a break in service of more than three years is required to retake the basic training course.
“We all know how tough it can be to secure a job in the current economic climate,” said Assemblyman Craig Coughlin (D-Middlesex), a sponsor of the bill. “This will help police officers focus on the job search, without a timeline hanging over their heads.”
The bill was approved 70-0 by the Assembly on Thursday, and 35-0 by the Senate in April. It now heads to the governor’s desk.
