New Jersey § 40a:14-146

§ 40a:14-146.

a. A person shall not commence the duties of a special law enforcement officer unless the person has successfully completed a training course approved by the commission and a special law enforcement officer shall not be issued a firearm unless the officer has successfully completed the basic firearms course approved by the commission for

permanent, regularly appointed police and annual requalification examinations as required

by subsection b. of section 7 of P.L.1985, c. 439 ( C.40A:14-146.14 ) . There shall be three classifications for special police officers. The commission shall prescribe by rule or regulation the training standards to be

established for each classification. Training may be in a commission approved academy or in any other training program

which the commission may determine appropriate. The classifications shall be based upon the duties to be performed by the special

law enforcement officer as follows: (1) Class One. Officers of this class shall be authorized to perform routine traffic detail, spectator

control , and similar duties. If authorized by ordinance or resolution, as appropriate, Class One officers shall

have the power to issue summonses for disorderly persons and petty disorderly persons

offenses, violations of municipal ordinances , and violations of Title 39 of the Revised Statutes. The use of a firearm by an officer of this class shall be strictly prohibited and a Class One officer shall not be assigned any duties which may require the carrying or use of a firearm. (2) Class Two. Officers of this class shall be authorized to exercise full powers and duties similar

to those of a permanent, regularly appointed full-time police officer. The use of a firearm by an officer of this class may be authorized only after the

officer has been fully certified as successfully completing training as prescribed

by the commission. (3) Class Three. Officers of this class shall be authorized to exercise full powers and duties similar

to those of a permanent, regularly appointed full-time police officer while providing

security at a public or nonpublic school or a county college on the school or college

premises during hours when the public or nonpublic school or county college is normally

in session or when it is occupied by public or nonpublic school or county college

students or their teachers or professors. While on duty in the jurisdiction of employment, an officer may respond to offenses

or emergencies off school or college grounds if they occur in the officer's presence

while traveling to a school facility or county college, but an officer shall not otherwise

be dispatched or dedicated to any assignment off school or college property. The use of a firearm by an officer of this class shall be authorized pursuant to the

provisions of subsection b. of section 7 of P.L.1985, c. 439 ( C.40A:14-146.14 ). An officer of this class shall not be authorized to carry a firearm while off duty

unless the officer complies with the requirements set forth in subsection l . of N.J.S.2C:39-6 authorizing a retired law enforcement officer to carry a handgun. b. The commission may, in its discretion, except from the requirements of this section

any person who demonstrates to the commission's satisfaction that the person has successfully completed a police training course conducted by any federal, state

or other public or private agency, the requirements of which are substantially equivalent

to the requirements of this act. c. The commission shall certify officers who have satisfactorily completed training

programs and issue appropriate certificates to those officers. The certificate shall clearly state the category of certification for which the

officer has been certified by the commission. d. All special law enforcement officers appointed and in service on the effective

date of this act may continue in service if within 24 months of the effective date

of this act they will have completed all training and certification requirements of

this act.