Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 6, March 18, 2024
(a) An Animal Cruelty Investigator course of study shall provide a minimum of 45 hours or the equivalent of three credit hours offered by an accredited New Jersey college or university, or a school approved by the Police Training Commission pursuant to N.J.A.C. 13:1-3. The curriculum developed by the Department as set forth in (b) below shall be the curriculum for the Animal Cruelty Investigator course of study. A detailed description of the Animal Cruelty Investigator course of study is available from the IZDP.
(b) The course curriculum shall include, at a minimum, the following subject areas:
1. Professional development:
i. The role and authority of an Animal Cruelty Investigator; and
ii. The primary responsibilities of an Animal Cruelty Investigator.
2. Community relations:
i. Understanding minority subcultures;
ii. Understanding youth;
iii. Crisis intervention; and
iv. Awareness of emotional reactions.
3. Animal cruelty statutes:
i. N.J.S.A. 4:22; and
ii. Local ordinances.
4. The criminal justice system:
i. Functioning components of the criminal justice system;
ii. New Jersey court system and procedures; and
iii. Other governmental and private agencies.
5. Legal aspects of arrest, search, seizure, and evidence:
i. Constitutional rights;
ii. Probable cause;
iii. Legal requirements and procedures and lawful arrest;
iv. Use of force;
v. Legal requirements of searches;
vi. Entry, arrest, and seizures in animal fighting situations;
vii. Rules of evidence; and
viii. Laws pertaining to juveniles.
6. Animal cruelty investigative techniques:
i. Observation and perception;
ii. Identifying collecting, and preserving evidence;
iii. Cults and animal cruelty;
iv. Large animal cruelty/body condition scoring; and
v. Search of buildings or areas.
7. Communications:
i. Note-taking and report writing;
ii. Oral communications;
iii. Interview and interrogation techniques;
iv. Courtroom testimony; and
v. News media relations.
8. Defensive tactics:
i. Unarmed Defense;
ii. Handcuffing;
iii. Search of persons; and
iv. Chemical agent devices.
(c) Although enrollment in the course shall be open to any person 18 years of age or older, course administrators shall give admission preference over other individuals to persons who meet the following prerequisites:
1. Persons who are Certified Animal Control Officers;
2. Persons who have been employed in the capacity of a Certified Animal Control Officer for a period of one year or more; and
3. Persons who have proof that they will be authorized by the employing or contracting municipal officers to enforce the animal cruelty laws of the State and ordinances of a municipality, as provided at 4:19-15.1 6(b), upon satisfactory completion of an approved Animal Cruelty Investigator course of study.
