Community Listening Session on Use of Force

Post date: Jul 16, 2020 4:15:36 PM

A message from the Middlesex County Association of Chiefs of Police:

    As a result of the recent tragic police encounters, Attorney General Gurbir Grewal has undertaken the task of revising the Use of Force Policy here in the State of New Jersey. That policy has not been revised since June of 2000. In order to make the necessary and important revisions to that policy, the Attorney General has mandated that each and every county prosecutor host a Community Listening Session. The purpose of this Community Listening Session is to request and receive input from the community in order to effectively guide the proposed revisions. To that end, Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone is complying with the Attorney General’s mandate and has scheduled a Community Listening Session for July 30, 2020 at 6 p.m. That Community Listening Session will be held virtually and more detailed information will be provided shortly.

    In order to make the Community Listening Session as productive as possible, it was thought that the Use of Force Policy which is in the process of being revised should be provided to you for your consideration prior to the July 30, 2020 session. Consequently, we are providing a copy of the June, 2000 Use of Force Policy for the State of New Jersey along with a PowerPoint presentation regarding the use of Force Policy Revisions Process which has been issued by the Attorney General in order to guide the upcoming Community Listening Session. Prosecutor Ciccone trusts that you will find both documents to be helpful.

    In conclusion, it is respectfully requested that both documents be reviewed. Once that review has taken place, it is respectfully requested that you submit questions and/or recommendations that can be utilized in order to facilitate Middlesex County’s Community Listening Session regarding the Use of Force and the revisions to the Policy. It is hoped that these questions and/or recommendations will be submitted to: useofforce2020@co.middlesex.nj.us, shortly after your review of this correspondence.

    On behalf of Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone, we hope you participate in the Community Listening Session scheduled for the 30th of July at 6p.m. and we welcome your commitment and collaboration in an effort to foster systemic and sustainable change in the Use of Force arena in the State of New Jersey.