​2025 NJ Internal Affairs and Professional Standards

​2-Day Class

​Registration OPEN!

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Internal Affairs Class 1 
May 19 & 20, 2025 (Monday and Tuesday) 
9am - 4pm
DoubleTree by Hilton
690 Route 46 East
FAIRFIELD, NJ 07004
Classes held in Fairfield Ballroom



Course Description
ESPOS Internal Affairs and Professional Standards class is a two-day training program provides law enforcement executives, supervisors, internal affairs investigators, and officers with a comprehensive understanding of internal affairs functions and professional standards. The course covers the duties and responsibilities of the internal affairs unit, complaint procedures, investigation techniques, disciplinary processes, relevant case law, and reporting requirements in accordance with the New Jersey Attorney General's Internal Affairs Policy & Procedures (IAPP).
 
Nick Breiner, CPM will be facilitating and presenting this course. Nick brings three decades of distinguished public service experience to this program, including service as a former Police Director, Assistant Township Administrator, and Division Commander with extensive expertise in internal affairs, professional standards, and law enforcement accreditation. A Certified Public Manager with a Master's degree from Seton Hall University, Nick has overseen internal affairs investigations, progressive discipline, policy development, and departmental training throughout his nearly 30 years in law enforcement. As the Director of Professional Development at ESPOS, and as a police consultant, he continues to advance professional standards through training and consulting services, drawing on his executive leadership experience in three municipalities. His practical instructional approach ensures participants receive actionable information based on real-world scenarios, best practices, and current legal standards.



REGISTER today to reserve your seat: Click here to register for the 2025 NJ Internal Affairs & Professional Standards 2-day class.

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Class Highlights

Fundamentals of Internal Affairs and Professional Standards

• Purposes and goals of the IAPP and the IA function
• Duties and responsibilities of internal affairs units
• Legal basis for internal affairs functions
  • N.J.S.A 40A:14-181 mandate
  • Attorney General oversight authority
  • Case law mandates
• Role of internal affairs in agency integrity and public trust

Rules, Regulations and Department Policies

• Policy management system
  • Rules and regulations
  • Standard operating procedures
  • Directives and orders
• Policy development and implementation
• Classification of misconduct
  • Criminal conduct
  • Excessive force
  • Improper arrest/entry/search
  • Differential treatment
  • Demeanor issues
  • Rule infractions

Department Standards and Inspection Functions

• Meaningful command-level reviews
• Inspection and audit responsibilities
  • Body-worn camera reviews
  • Use of force reports
  • Motor vehicle pursuits
  • Uniforms and equipment
  • Training compliance

Preventing Misconduct

• Prevention strategies
• Early Warning Systems (AG Directive 2018-3)
  • Required performance indicators
  • Data collection and analysis
  • Intervention protocols
  • Documentation requirements
  • EWS audits
• Performance reviews and monitoring
  • Documentation standards
  • Progressive improvement plans
• Drug Testing (AG Directive 2018-2)
  • Random testing requirements
  • Reasonable suspicion testing
  • Collection procedures
  • Chain of custody protocols
  • Cannabis and steroids concerns
• Staff inspections
• Community outreach

​Statutory Law and Legal Framework

• Title 40 provisions
  • N.J.S.A. 40A:14-147 (45-day rule)
  • N.J.S.A. 40A:14-181 (AG policy adoption requirement)
• Title 2C considerations
  • Criminal statutes applicable to officer misconduct
  • 2C:30-2 Official misconduct
  • 2C:30-7 Pattern of official misconduct
  • 2C:51-2 Forfeiture of Office
• Relevant case law
  • Garrity v. New Jersey
  • Brady/Giglio implications
  • Use of force jurisprudence
• AG Directives related to internal affairs
• Coordination with County Prosecutors

Investigation of Complaints

• Complaint types and classification
  • Minor complaints and command level investigations
  • Serious complaints
  • Administrative vs. criminal matters
• Investigation planning
• Timeframes and deadlines
  • 45-day rule and extensions
  • Required notifications

Interview Process and Evidence Collection

• Interviewing civilian witnesses
• Interviewing officers
  • Officer as witness
  • Officer as subject
• Administrative vs. criminal interviews
  • Miranda warnings
  • Garrity warnings
• Documentation of interviews
• Evidence collection and handling

Special Investigation Requirements

• Criminal matters coordination with prosecutors
• Domestic violence involving officers
• Extreme Risk Protective Orders
• Discharge of firearms by officers
• Use of force investigations
  • Independent prosecutor requirements
  • AG Directive 2019-4 compliance

Adjudication of Complaints and Disciplinary Process

• Adjudication standards
  • Preponderance of evidence standard
  • Complaint dispositions (Sustained, Unfounded, Exonerated, Not Sustained)
  • Administrative closings
• Progressive Discipline
  • Purpose and philosophy
  • Corrective vs. punitive discipline
  • Factors affecting discipline decisions
  • Available disciplinary options
  • Case law
• Administering discipline
• Suspensions and documentation
• Disciplinary hearings

Internal Affairs Records, Files and Reporting & Background Investigations

• Records management
  • Storage requirements
  • Access limitations
  • Retention schedules
• Reporting requirements
  • Law enforcement executive reports
  • County Prosecutor reports
  • Public reporting
  • Major discipline reporting (AG Directive 2020-6)
• Civilian review boards coordination
• Information sharing with other agencies
• Police Training Commission licensing investigations
• Background investigations