Law enforcement agencies must refrain from including any statements that may impact the investigation, including but not limited to, identifying any individuals involved in the incident, attributing culpability or lack thereof to any parties involved or expressing support for, condemnation of, or approval / disapproval of actions taken before, during, or after the incident.
Any agency seeking to provide additional information not contained in the template below must first confer with, and obtain approval from, the Attorney General’ s Communications Office.
Fatal Incident in [ City / Borough / Township ]
1. On [ Date, at approximately time ], in [ City / Borough / Township ], a police encounter occurred in the vicinity of [ general location – not specific address ] resulting in [#] individuals sustaining [ life threatening / fatal ] injuries.
2. [ Optional: # members of [ police department ] were removed from the scene for medical treatment. Their injuries appear to be [ life threatening / not life threatening ] at this time ].
3. [ Optional: The involved officer( s) were not injured during this incident.]
4. As the safety and well-being of our community are our top priorities, please know there is no active or ongoing threat to the public.
5. [ Optional: The scene of the incident has been secured by law enforcement.] 6. [ Optional: Residents should avoid [ location of road closures ].
7. This incident is being investigated by the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, and I cannot comment on the facts or circumstances of that investigation. The Office of the Attorney General will provide updates on the status of their investigation at an appropriate time.
The information contained below may be included in agency press releases or in response to press inquiries received at any law enforcement agency related to a fatal police encounter investigation:
The Attorney General’ s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability(“ OPIA”) is investigating the circumstances of this death. A 2019 statute, N. J. S. A. 52:17B-107( a)( 2), requires that the Attorney General’ s Office conduct all investigations when a person’ s death occurs during an encounter with a law enforcement officer acting in the officer’ s official capacity or while the decedent is in custody. The results of all such investigations must be presented to a grand jury to determine if the evidence supports the return of an indictment against the involved officer or officers. The purpose of this law is for the public to have confidence that the investigation is done fully, fairly, impartially, and independently of any potential bias.
New Jersey Is An Equal Opportunity Employer • Printed on Recycled Paper and is Recyclable
6