Moving from “no” to an informed conversation
Labor Relations Report “No” is a perfectly acceptable answer in a negotiation. It is also a great start to a conversation when negotiating. How to get from “no” to an…
The more things change, the more they stay the same
Health Benefits Report Having been involved in the PBA for the entirety of my adult life, one of the most dangerous times of a legislative cycle is the lame-duck period.…
Quieting the inner voice of trauma for first responders
Mental Health By Iris Perlstein First responders are often witness to heartbreak and gut-wrenching situations that infiltrate all of their senses. Unfortunately, because many tend to internalize and carry this…
Milestones achieved for the PFRS
PFRS Report As we entered our January board meeting, one couldn’t help but think of the 36 prior meetings. This month’s meeting started the same way as it did some…
NJ attorney general issues directive on the execution of warrants
Professional Development The New Jersey attorney general issued Law Enforcement Directive 2021-12 regarding “no-knock” warrants on Dec. 7, 2021. This new directive went into effect on Dec. 21, 2021, and…
NJ court rules that knock-and-announce rule violations will require evidence to be suppressed
Professional Development The recent Appellate Division ruling in State v. Caronna states that when police flagrantly violate a knock-and-announce requirement in a search warrant, the enhanced protections provided under our…
Progress in a challenging year
PFRS Report As we get to the close of another year, it’s always best to reflect on the good and the bad that we experienced throughout the year. This allows…
Retirement plan increases for 2022
Pension Benefits As we prepare for the end of the year and the start of the next, I would like to take this time and inform all of you who…
Internet scrubbing and privacy protection
By Jarod Wilson Guest Columnist Over the past few years, a disturbing trend in online harassment of officers — the publishing of private identifying information (doxing) and the targeting of…
How to start a Legal Protection Plan claim
From time to time, we have to address the procedure for opening an NJ State PBA Legal Protection Plan claim to help members understand the process and why we have…