4:22-11.11 Training course for animal protection law enforcement.

11. a. The Police Training Commission, in collaboration with the Attorney General, shall develop or approve a training course for animal protection law enforcement, which shall include but need not be limited to instruction in:

(1) the law, procedures, and enforcement methods and techniques of investigation, arrest, and search and seizure, specifically in connection with violations of State and local animal cruelty laws and ordinances;

(2) information and procedures related to animals, including animal behavior and traits and evaluation of animals at a crime scene;

(3) methods to identify and document animal abuse, neglect, and distress; and

(4) investigation of animal fighting.

b. Every municipal humane law enforcement officer, humane law enforcement officer of a county society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, and chief humane law enforcement officer or other officer designated pursuant to subparagraph (a) of paragraph (2) of subsection a. of section 28 of P.L.2017, c.331 (C.4:22-14.4) shall satisfactorily complete the animal protection law enforcement training course as soon as practicable, but no later than one year after the date of the officer's designation.

c. (1) The chief law enforcement officer of a municipality, or of a county, as applicable, may request from the Police Training Commission an exemption from applicable law enforcement parts of the animal protection law enforcement training course on behalf of a current or prospective municipal humane law enforcement officer, humane law enforcement officer of a county society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, or chief humane law enforcement officer or other officer designated pursuant to subparagraph (a) of paragraph (2) of subsection a. of section 28 of P.L.2017, c.331 (C.4:22-14.4) who demonstrates successful completion of a police training course conducted by a federal, state, or other public or private agency, the requirements of which are substantially equivalent to or which exceed the corresponding requirements of the animal protection law enforcement training course curriculum established through the Police Training Commission.

(2) The chief law enforcement officer of a municipality, or of a county, as applicable, may request from the Police Training Commission an exemption from applicable animal control parts of the animal protection law enforcement training course on behalf of a current or prospective municipal humane law enforcement officer, humane law enforcement officer of a county society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, or chief humane law enforcement officer or other officer designated pursuant to subparagraph (a) of paragraph (2) of subsection a. of section 28 of P.L.2017, c.331 (C.4:22-14.4) who demonstrates successful completion of an animal control course pursuant to section 3 of P.L.1983, c.525 (C.4:19-15.16a).

d. The Police Training Commission shall provide for the issuance of a certificate to a person who possesses, or acquires, the training and education required to qualify as a municipal humane law enforcement officer, humane law enforcement officer of a county society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, or chief humane law enforcement officer or other officer designated pursuant to subparagraph (a) of paragraph (2) of subsection a. of section 28 of P.L.2017, c.331 (C.4:22-14.4) and shall provide a copy of the certificate to, as applicable, the municipal humane law enforcement officer and the chief law enforcement officer of the municipality or county, or to the humane law enforcement officer and the county society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, or to the chief humane law enforcement officer or other officer designated pursuant to subparagraph (a) of paragraph (2) of subsection a. of section 28 of P.L.2017, c.331 (C.4:22-14.4) and the county prosecutor.

L.2005, c.372, s.11; amended 2017, c.331, s.8.