N.J. Admin. Code § 13:96-6.5 - Use of force while off-duty

(a) Although 52:17B-174(d) authorizes juvenile parole officers to exercise law enforcement powers, juvenile parole officers are not required to exercise those powers or to carry firearms during off-duty hours.

(b) Juvenile parole officers, while off-duty, should not become involved with routine law enforcement duties that are under the jurisdiction of local law enforcement agencies. When a juvenile parole officer observes what he or she believes to be a violation of the law, he or she should take note of the vehicle description, license plate numbers, identifying characteristics of persons involved and other relevant information, and report such information to the local law enforcement agency having jurisdiction and to the Director of Juvenile Parole and Transitional Services. Juvenile parole officers should avoid stopping or detaining vehicles or persons.

(c) The utmost discretion shall be exercised by the juvenile parole officer to determine when and under what conditions to use force. Whenever he or she believes that possible criminal action is taking place and that a reasonable alternative to use of force exists, the juvenile parole officer must take the action which is calculated to be least dangerous or harmful to persons or property.

(d) A juvenile parole officer shall be deemed to have acted within the scope of his or her employment or in the law enforcement interest of the State of New Jersey if he or she exercises police powers in accordance with the provisions of this subchapter and orders promulgated in connection therewith.

Notes

N.J. Admin. Code § 13:96-6.5

Recodified from 13:96-3.5 53 N.J.R. 2231(a), effective 12/20/2021