New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
| New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals | |
|---|---|
| Common name | NJSPCA Humane Police |
| Abbreviation | NJSPCA |
|
Patch of the New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals | |
| Agency overview | |
| Formed | 1868 |
| Legal personality | Governmental: Government agency |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| Operations jurisdiction* | State of New Jersey, USA |
| Legal jurisdiction | New Jersey |
| General nature |
|
| Operational structure | |
| Humane Police Officers and Agents | 62 |
| Agency executive | Colonel Frank Rizzo, Superintendent |
| Website | |
| Official site | |
| Footnotes | |
| * Divisional agency: Division of the country, over which the agency has usual operational jurisdiction. | |
The New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (colloquially, "NJSPCA Humane Police") is a law enforcement agency in the state of New Jersey that focuses on humane law enforcement. The agency enforces animal related laws, and investigates cases of animal cruelty.
History
The New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NJSPCA) was created in 1868 to prevent animal cruelty and investigate cases of animal cruelty in New Jersey. The agents of the NJSPCA were established as law enforcement officers in charge of investigating and prosecuting all persons involved in animal abuse and neglect. The NJSPCA is the second oldest SPCA in the country, behind the ASPCA in New York.[1]
Law enforcement operations
The New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals focuses on humane law enforcement and investigations of animal cruelty throughout New Jersey. The agency is one of just a few law enforcement agencies in the state that have statewide authority. The agency hires humane law enforcement officers and agents.[2]
Humane law enforcement officers
Humane law enforcement officers (also known as humane police officers) are armed and have full law enforcement powers. Officers gain their law enforcement power through Title 4 of New Jersey statutes, and are allowed under law to carry and use firearms, batons, pepper spray, and handcuffs, use physical and deadly force, handle animal cruelty investigations, issue summonses, seize animals, and make arrests for violations of animal cruelty laws. Humane law enforcement officers are commissioned by the Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police.[3]
Training
Humane law enforcement officers and agents are required to complete basic police training as a Humane Law Enforcement Officer (HLEO) at an accredited NJ police academy. Agents and Officers receive training in Title 4 law, self-defense tactics, usage of baton and pepper spray, investigations, seizing animals, emergency vehicle operations, and report writing. Humane law enforcement officers also go through training in handcuffing techniques and firearms. Training is given by the NJSPCA, the New Jersey State Police, and various police academies in the state.[4]
Vehicles and equipment
The NJSPCA currently uses various vehicles in its fleet including Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptors, Chevrolet Express vans, a trailer converted into a mobile command center, and a former army truck.[5] They carry poles and cages for seizures and catches.
Rank structure
There are seven titles (referred to as ranks) in the New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals:
| Title | Insignia |
|---|---|
| Colonel / Superintendent |  |
| Major |  |
| Captain |  |
| Lieutenant |  |
| Sergeant |  |
| Corporal |  |
| Humane Law Enforcement Officer |  |
| Humane Law Enforcement Agent | |
See also
- American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
- List of law enforcement agencies in New Jersey