The quota system of law enforcement in New Jersey is dead. Gov. Phil Murphy killed it with a stroke of his pen Oct. 7 when he signed SB 1322. The law took effect immediately.

New Jersey state, county, and city law enforcement agencies are prohibited from establishing quotas for arrests and citations. Furthermore, the number of arrests or citations a police officer makes may no longer be used in a performance review. This means the number of arrests and citations may not be used as a criterion for “promotion, demotion, dismissal, discipline, or the earning of any benefit provided by the department or force.”

State Sen. Shirley K. Turner (Hunterdon and Mercer) sponsored SB 1322, which is the ultimate success of AB 3457. Originally introduced in 2014 by Declan J. O'Scanlon, Jr. (Monmouth), AB 3457 was reincarnated several times in successive legislative sessions. Seven years later, it was finally passed by the state Senate and General Assembly. Murphy signed the significant reform legislation without comment.

Quota Bans Are a National Trend

New Jersey joins California, New York, Texas, and Florida in outlawing quotas. Elimination of the quota system relieves pressure on police officers to make arrests and issue citations to meet an arbitrary number. It also relieves the stress on civilians who will be less subject to overly aggressive policing.

“Liberals, libertarians, conservatives, police officers, police unions, and racial minorities have all criticized police quotas,” wrote Shaun Ossei-Owuwu in the May 2021 New York University Law Review. “… quotas distort police discretion and produce unnecessary police-civilian interactions.”

Peace Officers or Revenue Agents?

Ossei-Owuw further criticized quotas as predatory “cash register justice” and “policing for profit” to collect fines and fees to supplement city and county general funds.

Writing in the New York Times, Mike McIntire and Michael H. Keller said some communities use quota systems to “essentially repurpose armed officers as revenue agents searching for infractions largely unrelated to public safety.”

Laws Will Still Be Enforced

“This is a real win for justice,” said veteran criminal defense attorney Joseph D. Lento. He cautioned, however, “Nothing in this new law relieves the police of their duty to enforce the law.” If you or someone you love is suspected of or arrested for a crime, you have the right to a vigorous defense. Call the Lento Law Firm today at 888-535-3686.