Law Offices of Gina Mendola Longarzo, LLC is an authorized New Jersey State PBA (“NJSPBA”) Legal Protection Plan (“LPP”) law firm.  Our law firm was vetted and approved by the NJSPBA Board of Delegates to accept cases under the LPP and vigorously defend law enforcement officers who are protected under the plan.

What is the Legal Protection Plan?

The NJSPBA LPP is a member benefit that provides coverage for legal fees for law enforcement officers who have been charged administratively and/or  criminally, and/or who find themselves subject to civil lawsuits.

The LPP was created in 1992 and was originally a private insurance plan endorsed by the NJSPBA.  In 2001, all funds were brought into segregated NJSBPA accounts and the plan was administered by a third-part independent company.  In 2008, NJSPBA President Anthony Wieners brought the  plan under the oversight and control of the NJSPBA, including all administrative and enrollment responsibilities for over 23,000 enrollees.  The LPP is now completely controlled by the NJSPBA and in the best financial health since its inception as self-funded in 2001.  The LPP covers approximately $3,000,000.00 per year in claims to protect its members.

What types of situations does the LPP cover?

The LPP covers the following situations that law enforcement officers sometimes find themselves in:

• Target of an internal affairs investigation
  • When a member is notified that he or she is the target of an internal affairs investigation, the plan will pay up to $1000.00 per enrollment period for an attorney to attend the Internal Affairs interview with the member
• Target of a criminal Investigation
  • When a member is the target of a criminal investigation for an event that occurred within the course and scope of his/her employment, the plan will pay up to $3,500.00 per enrollment period for an attorney to represent them in said investigation.
• Criminal charges
  • When a member receives criminal charges that directly arise out of the course and scope of his or her duties as a law enforcement officer, the LPP will pay up to $50,000 per enrollment period for an attorney to represent him or her.  This shall include all expert fees deemed necessary for the members defense in the matter.  Further, the LPP will provide up to $1,000 for bail bond.
• H.R. 218 or L.E.O.S.A.
  • Any active member who is deemed to have been lawfully carrying a weapon and acting in the defense of life in another state is covered under this section in the state the action occurred.
• Civil
  • When a member receives civil charges that directly arise out of the course and scope of his or her duties as a law enforcement officer, the LPP will pay up to $50,000 per enrollment period for an attorney to represent him or her.  This shall include all expert fees deemed necessary for the member’s defense in the matter.  This coverage is also extended to any PBA local officer while holding office in the local when they are the target of a civil action related to that office.  This does not apply if a member is alleged to have improperly managed funds or stolen money from the local

In all such matters, the LPP requires a denial of representation under N.J.S.A. 40A:14-155, which provides that “[w]henever a member or officer of a municipal police department or force is a defendant in any action or legal proceeding arising out of and directly related to the lawful exercise of police powers in the furtherance of his official duties, the governing body of the municipality shall provide said member or officer with necessary means for the defense of such action or proceeding, but not for his defense in a disciplinary proceeding instituted against him by the municipality or in criminal proceeding instituted as a result of a complaint on behalf of the municipality.  If any such disciplinary or criminal proceeding instituted by or on complaint of the municipality shall be dismissed or finally determined in favor of the member or officer, he shall be reimbursed for the expense of his defense.”  The LPP will pursue any employer through legal action if they unjustly deny coverage.

In addition to the NJSPBA’s Traditional Plan, the NJSPBA offers an Unlimited Plan to its members.   This plan waives the coverage limits for Administrative, Criminal and civil matters, but the entire Local must choose one plan or the other.