(TRENTON) — Assemblyman Albert Coutinho (D-Essex), a prime sponsor of legislation (A-207) signed into law Thursday that helps laid off police officers get rehired while saving local governments on training costs, issued the following statement:
“Thanks to some last minute amendments, this law now ensures that rookie cops don’t have to start back at the bottom of the ladder if they’re fired for economic reasons.
“Provisional officers and officers in their field work test period can now focus on their duties without having to wonder if a bad economic year will push the reset button on their careers.
“This is especially good news for the 167 Newark police officers — 63 of them rookies — who were laid off last week. Thanks to our efforts, they’ll now only have to contend with unemployment and, while it’s not as good as a job, not having to restart their careers should provide some comfort for them during the holidays.”