JERSEY CITY
FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE
LODGE #4
Announcement from the New Jersey State Lodge
Fraternal Order of Police - New Jersey State Lodge
NJFOP APPLAUDS NEW STATE POLICY ON NON-LETHAL WEAPONS; (Trenton, NJ, October 2, 2009) -- The New Jersey Fraternal Order of Police is applauding the state's recent decision to allow law enforcement personnel use of non-lethal electroshock weapons.
CHIEF ADVOCATE ON ISSUE
"Our members believe non-lethal weapons will significantly help them subdue people who pose a danger to themselves and the public," said Edward R. Brannigan, president of the state FOP. "This is an important issue to us and we're gratified that the attorney general has listened to the state's law enforcement community."
The FOP has been the leading advocate for allowing law enforcement officers access to these non-lethal devices in preventing and combating crime. Leaders from the organization have testified before legislative committees and the Attorney General's special committee considering the issue and met several times with Gov. Jon Corzine.
The new policy issued by Attorney General Anne Milgram allows for the use of conducted energy devices where significant force is required. Officers may use the device only when confronted by an emotionally disturbed person behaving in a way that the officer reasonably believes is likely to result in serious bodily injury to himself, the officer, or others. The devise may only be used by specially trained officers.
"When a police officer can keep his firearm holstered and diffuse a dangerous situation, that's a success by any measure," said Brannigan. "Non-lethal devices can play an important part in that success."
"This policy is an important first step," continued Brannigan. "New Jersey is the last of the fifty states to permit officers use of non-lethal electroshock weapons. There are other situations were non-lethal weapons can diffuse potentially deadly encounters. We're hopeful that at some point the state will allow officers use of the devices in these other, but no less dangerous, situations."
The Fraternal Order of Police is the world's largest organization of sworn law enforcement officers, with more than 324,000 members in more than 2,100 lodges. The FOP is the voice of those who dedicate their lives to protecting and serving our communities. It is committed to improving the working conditions of law enforcement officers and the safety of those we serve through education, legislation, information, community involvement, and employee representation.
Sincerely,
Edward R. Brannigan
President
Fraternal Order of Police - New Jersey State Lodge
108 W. State St.
Trenton, NJ 08608
609-599-1222
www.njfop.org
