Cancel culture and anti-law enforcement bias
We are serving in difficult times. We face all the traditional dangers of our jobs – crime, drugs and violence – with the added dangers of working during a pandemic.…
Tracking critical legislation as the summer recess approaches
Legislative Report The New Jersey Legislature is rapidly approaching the June 30 deadline for passage of the state budget and the unofficial start to the pre-election summer recess. This time…
Stepped up efforts on police reform in Washington, D.C. are threatening Qualified Immunity
Violence and shootings are on the rise. The daily news is full of stories about cities and towns throughout New Jersey experiencing an alarming rise in violence and crime. Making…
Looking forward in health insurance
Health Benefits Report We all know that Einstein said that doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results is the definition of insanity. Well, that’s what we’ve…
Supreme Court: Failure to provide light-duty accommodation for pregnant officer is unlawful discrimination
NJ STATE PBA LEGAL CORNER By Robert A. Fagella, Esq. and Paul L. Kleinbaum, Esq. The New Jersey State Legislature enacted the Pregnancy Fairness Act (PWFA) in 2014 to provide…
President’s Message: The Thin Blue Line flag
Nobody can really pinpoint the exact origin of the “Thin Blue Line.” It was referred to in the 1950’s by Los Angeles Police Chief Bill Parker. When the 70’s rolled…
A delegate’s report you won’t want to miss
The major responsibility of a NJSPBA state delegate is to act as liaison between the state and local associations, reporting all matters of interest. This is most often done at…
Legalized marijuana and the new normal
By Robert A. Fagella, Esq. and Paul L. Kleinbaum, Esq. Legalized recreational use of cannabis has arrived in New Jersey. On Feb. 22, Governor Phil Murphy signed the legislation that…
Supreme Court affirms paid leave time for union representatives
By Robert A. Fagella, Esq. and Paul L. Kleinbaum, Esq. Leave time to perform union business has been a traditional component of most public-sector collective negotiations agreements for decades. Most…
Maybe New Jersey has got it right
On May 25, 2020, Derek Chauvin, a Minneapolis police officer who was certified under Minnesota’s POST (Police Officer Standards and Training) program, leaned on the neck of George Floyd and…