Domestic violence unfortunately touches many lives here in New Jersey. In fact, according to Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa, more than 70,000 instances of domestic violence are reported every year in New Jersey.

In order for police to respond effectively to domestic disturbances, the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act of 1991 required every police officer in New Jersey to take several hours of domestic violence training every year. Changes to these training programs are now underway, however, due to budget and scheduling problems within area police departments. The state attorney general’s office announced last week that in order to mitigate these concerns domestic violence training will now be provided for free to police departments online.

The switch to online domestic violence training is meant to cut overtime pay by stopping police departments from having to call officers in on their days off to complete trainings.

However, departments can still hold the trainings in person if they so choose, by having an instructor use the online program in a classroom to train a group of officers. Officers may also complete the training alone in front of a computer.

The online program, like the traditional training, teaches officers about recognizing signs of domestic violence in order to protect victims as well as the legal implications of the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act. After an officer completes the training, he or she must take an online test about the information.

The laws and practices regarding domestic violence are constantly evolving, and it is important that police are able to stay up to date on this information to best serve New Jersey families.

Source: NJ.com, “New Jersey Attorney General announces online domestic violence training for police,” Alex Young, Nov. 20, 2012

• Our Kingston, New Jersey, law firm helps victims of domestic violence obtain legal protections designed to prevent further harm. We also help those who have been falsely accused of domestic violence protect their legal rights.