The Legal Unit provides legal advice and guidance to OPS. The Legal Unit reviews all internal investigations for legal sufficiency, provides guidance and advice on discipline to be imposed, and provides legal representation to the Division in disciplinary hearings, or on the appeal of any disciplinary matter. The Legal Unit further assists the Division in developing policies and procedures concerning the operations of the Division and the conduct of enlisted members both on and off duty. 

The Legal Unit also assists the other OLEPS units and provides legal advice and opinions to the Division and to the OAG on any legal matter the Attorney General or Director assigns it.

The Investigative Unit top

The Investigative Unit provides monitoring functions outlined in the Act.  The Investigative Unit is responsible for conducting biannual audits of OPS. Also, the Investigative Unit is responsible for investigating misconduct complaints where the Division is conflicted or any other misconduct complaints or investigations that the Director assigns it. Further, the Investigative Unit provides technical support to the Analytic Unit in preparing the biannual monitoring reports.  With legal support, it reviews and reports on the integrity of motor vehicle stop recordings and reports, and audits the training provided to Division members.

The Investigative Unit, in coordination with the Legal Unit, monitors, reviews, evaluates, audits and reports on training classes and curriculum for troopers and trooper recruits in cultural awareness, including race and religious sensitivity, gender awareness, law enforcement ethics and leadership, and other relevant law enforcement issues deemed necessary or appropriate by the Attorney General.

The Analytic Unit top
           
Headed by a Social Scientist, the Analytic Unit is responsible for ensuring that the Division maintains and enhances its practices on matters pertaining to any applicable nondiscriminatory policy the Attorney General establishes. The Unit further audits the Division’s compliance with policies and procedures related to post-stop enforcement actions and publishes its findings in the biannual monitoring report and aggregate data report. 

The Analytic Unit further performs analysis of county and municipal law enforcement authorities throughout the State. It publishes studies based on its findings in an effort to work towards greater uniformity between law enforcement state-wide.

OLEPS is committed to serving the citizens of New Jersey by promoting transparency in the development and implementation of law enforcement policies and procedures. The process of collecting, analyzing and publishing data on law enforcement practice promotes departmental integrity and allows law enforcement agencies the ability to self-assess and to continue to promote effective and unbiased policing.