3. a. The chief of police or other executive head of a county police department and force established pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S. 40A:14-106 through N.J.S. 40A:14-117 shall appoint a full-time sworn officer of the department and force to serve as the sexual violence liaison officer.

b. The sexual violence liaison officer shall:

(1) serve as the department and force in-house expert on how to conduct sexual violence cases;

(2) act as the primary point-of-contact for each local sexual violence program and county Sexual Assault Response Team as established pursuant to section 6 of P.L.2001, c.81 (C. 52:4B-54) to coordinate an effective community response;

(3) represent the department and force at county meetings of the Sexual Assault Response Team;

(4) when appropriately trained, provide in-house training on sexual violence;

(5) monitor the department and force’s compliance with sexual violence best practices as set forth in the statutory law and Attorney General policies; and

(6) serve in any other capacity deemed appropriate by the chief of police or other executive head of the department or force.

c. A sexual violence liaison officer shall complete specialized sexual violence training as specified by the chief of police or other executive head of the county police department and force.

d. An officer of the department or force shall be disqualified from serving as a sexual violence liaison officer if:

(1) the officer is the subject of an investigation for a complaint charging a violation of the internal rules and regulations established for the conduct of the department and force regarding sexual violence, sexual misconduct, domestic violence, stalking, or sexual harassment or there are pending criminal charges against the officer for any of these offenses; or

(2) a court has issued a protective or restraining order against the officer.

e. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the sexual violence liaison officer from simultaneously serving as a domestic violence liaison officer or a Megan’s Law resource officer.

f. Nothing in this section shall preclude a county department and force from:

(1) appointing more than one sexual violence liaison officer; or

(2) appointing the sexual violence liaison officer of another municipal or county department and force as the liaison officer for the department and force provided the liaison officer can adequately perform the duties of the office pursuant to subsection b. of this section.

L.2021, c.65, s.3.