N.J. Admin. Code § 13:96-7.3

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 21, November 4, 2024

Section 13:96-7.3 - On-duty firearm

(a) The authorized on-duty firearm shall be the responsibility of the juvenile parole officer at all times.

1. Only waist holsters shall be used for on-duty firearms. A holster must hold the firearm firmly when inverted and have no internal clips.

2. The waist holster is the only holster approved for use while qualifying with the on-duty firearm.

(b) The juvenile parole officer shall not draw or exhibit his or her firearm except for one of the following circumstances:

1. For maintenance of the firearm;

2. To secure the firearm;

3. When commanded by the firearms staff during training exercises, range practice, qualification or requalification with the firearm, or by a supervisor for purposes of inspection;

4. When circumstances create a reasonable belief that it may be necessary to use the firearm in the performance of the juvenile parole officer's duties; or

5. When circumstances create a reasonable belief that display of a firearm as an element of constructive authority will help establish or maintain control in a potentially dangerous situation in an effort to discourage resistance and ensure personal safety.

(c) A juvenile parole officer, if required to carry a firearm while on-duty, shall carry both his or her on-duty firearm and his or her baton, together with Commission approved chemical or natural agent spray, on his or her person at all times unless otherwise instructed by a superior. The firearm shall:

1. Remain in the holster while in a rest room; and

2. Not be left in a motor vehicle except when necessary, such as when a juvenile parole officer must remove his or her on-duty firearm and another authorized staff member is unavailable to take custody of the firearm. When necessary, a firearm may be stored in a Commission approved vehicle lock box.

(d) The juvenile parole officer entering any facility of the Commission either shall temporarily transfer custody of his or her firearm to an authorized juvenile parole officer, store his or her firearm at the main secure facility or at a Commission authorized weapons storage unit or secrete it in a Commission approved vehicle lock box.

1. Juvenile parole officers are prohibited from carrying a firearm into any Commission facility beyond any posted weapons prohibited area, and into any area routinely dedicated for use by juveniles, including, but not limited to, areas for sleeping, living, eating, recreation, training, and education.

(e) When an authorized firearm or ammunition is believed to have been lost or stolen, or is otherwise missing, the juvenile parole officer shall immediately report this fact to the local law enforcement authorities and to his or her supervisor, and the supervisor shall then notify both the Regional Supervisor and the Office of the Director of Juvenile Parole and Transitional Services.

(f) When a State of New Jersey, Firearms Unit Weapons Card, official photo identification card or badge of the Commission is believed to have been lost or stolen, or is otherwise missing, the juvenile parole officer shall notify the local law enforcement authorities and his or her supervisor, and the supervisor shall then notify both the Regional Supervisor and the Office of the Director of Juvenile Parole and Transitional Services, as soon as practicable.

(g) Pursuant to 2C:58-15, a juvenile parole officer who knows or reasonably should know that a minor or unauthorized adult is likely to gain access to a loaded firearm at a premises under the juvenile parole officer's control shall:

1. Store the firearm in a securely locked box or container; and

2. Secure the firearm with a Commission approved trigger locking device.

N.J. Admin. Code § 13:96-7.3

Recodified from 13:96-4.3 53 N.J.R. 2231(a), effective 12/20/2021