The Police Legal Services Unit went into effect on August 1, 1975, initially as the Police Legal Advisor Program pursuant to a grant from the State Law Enforcement Planning Agency (SLEPA). When the grant terminated on October 15, 1976, the program was continued as an integral part of the Prosecutor’s Office.

One of the most important aspects of the Unit’s responsibilities is providing legal advice to local municipal police departments on a 24-hour, seven-days-a-week, basis. This includes the day-to-day requests for assistance by police officers with respect to proper investigative steps, criminal law, charges, as well as the review/approval of search warrant applications.

The Police Legal Advisor also files investigative motions on behalf of departments that need a court order to obtain blood, voice, hair or handwriting samples from suspects or defendants.

The role of legal advisor includes the issuance of periodic memoranda to police departments on new cases, legislation and recently enacted policies and procedures established by the Prosecutor and the Attorney General.

In addition to the above, the Unit has several other responsibilities: extradition [out-of-state transfer of suspects]; liaison with the New Jersey State Parole Board and the municipal prosecutors; change of name complaints review and Intensive Supervision applications review [intensive parole involving non-violent prisoners]. Teaching at Passaic County’s Police Academy, both at basic and in-service trainings, is a major area of responsibility for this unit.