Issue Position: Law Enforcement

Issue Position

TEARING DOWN THE WALL OF SEPARATION
Unfortunately, there is a great wall of separation between the people and the police. This wall was not created by the people, nor was it created by the police. It was created by establishment politicians who promised so much, to so many, and delivered to so few, to advance their own political agendas.

Once elected I will assist every city and town in this state to create new and effective Community Policing programs that will unite the people and their local police departments. These programs will create partnerships between businesses, local clergy, government agencies, civic and non-profit organizations, and law enforcement.

ENDING POLITICALLY CORRECT POLICING
Politically correct policing policies have hindered the police to do their job effectively. In many instances, I will not be able to change certain policy & procedures some police departments require their officers to fulfill. But where I can set policy through the Division of Criminal Justice, I will.

First, I will direct the Attorney General to review all state mandated in-service training for police officers and correction officers. I want to see what in-service training required by the state is repetitive of police academy training, the cost in-service training is to each municipality, and the impact these training sessions have on police manpower and operations.

Second, I am on record as being opposed to Civilian Review Boards. In my view, civilian review boards are unnecessary and in many cases politically motivated. They undermine the integrity of our law enforcement agencies, and hinder police officers from doing their job effectively. I have full confidence in police department Internal Affairs Bureaus, and County Prosecutors with regard to investigating police misconduct. My 38 years in law enforcement has shown me that county professional standard units statewide are very fair and professional.

Although I will have no power to stop the creation of said boards in some NJ cities, I will direct the Attorney General to review the performance of civilian review boards statewide and to determine any impact said boards have on law enforcement operations. I wish to note that I support a recent injunction restricting the use of subpoena and investigatory powers by Newark's civilian review board.

THE WAR ON DRUGS
For many years, I have seen hundreds of young people die of drug overdoses. And I have had to deliver very bad news to the parents of these youngsters. It's time we address this problem with a new two prong approach.

First, I believe that individuals addicted to drugs should be treated as mental health/medical patients, not criminals. They will be encouraged to visit their local health departments to begin the process of recovery without the fear of being penalized or charged with a crime. I do not believe young people should be given a lifelong criminal record if they turn themselves in for help. However, individuals who do not turn themselves in and who are caught in possession of illegal narcotics will be charged and prosecuted.

Second, my message to drug dealers and those who manufacture, distribute, and sell heroin and opiates-Pack your bags and leave New Jersey now. We are coming after you!

I am going to work with federal legislators to create a bill that would classify drug dealers as domestic terrorists and thus prosecute them under terrorism laws. These people are terrorists who have caused the deaths of thousands of young people and others across our state. And may I add that much of the money they make is funneled to terrorist organizations. If I do not succeed at this effort, I will ask the New Jersey State Legislature to pass a law that provides for life in prison without parole for anyone charged and convicted of manufacturing, distributing, and selling illegal narcotics (heroin and opiates) in New Jersey.

Ocean County NJ for example, is doing the best they can to address this problem, but the number of overdose deaths is increasing. The prosecutor in Ocean County says that he believes OD deaths could top 200 in 2017. Many other law enforcement practitioners share this view. They need our help, and I intend to give it to them.

Regarding marijuana, I support legalization for medical purposes. Opposed to legalization for casual/social use.
Law Enforcement Officers Protection Act

I will direct the Attorney General to file criminal charges against any individual who intentionally falsely accuses a police/correctional officer or state trooper of an act he/she did not commit.

For too long, the lives and reputations of many good, honest, hardworking law enforcement officers have been tarnished by individuals who make false accusations against them and receive no severe penalty once the officer is cleared of any wrongdoing.

These individuals, if found guilty, will be required to pay for all court costs, costs of each investigation conducted by all law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation, and face jail time up to 90 days.

Such a policy will discourage individuals from committing such acts and save taxpayers thousands of dollars as well as save the good names and reputations of fine police officers, state troopers, corrections officers, and others in the law enforcement community.

PENSION/COLA
In my view, law enforcement officers and other public employees who have retired have been treated unfairly by the state with regard to their future. Prior to the changes made in the pension system and elimination of COLA to these employees, they (the employees) had a contract with the state that clearly provided them with certain benefits and cost of living allowances after retirement. The State of NJ simply broke that contract and as a result failed to make pension payments, and denied COLA to these retirees, causing thousands of retirees devastating economic hardships.

I am very aware that I must strike a balance between what our retirees are entitled to, and the impact my decisions will have on the tax paying public. With that in mind, I intend to work to restore COLA to all employees who were eligible for this benefit prior to the time the state eliminated it. With regard to COLA for employees hired after it was eliminated, I will meet with rank and file members of each public employee organization to discuss this matter further. Much of what I plan to do will depend on new revenue sources, lowering taxes, and cutting costs. This is not an overnight fix. But it can be fixed with the right approach and right leadership.

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