The NJ Police Chief Magazine Volume 23, Number 7 | Page 22

This two-day interactive program is open to Supervisors, Officers, and Clerks handling the Records Function.
The course is designed by Chief Bendul specifically for New Jersey law enforcement agency Records Staff to increase their
knowledge and obligations in managing the records functions including complying with OPRA and Common Law. The course will
breakdown New Jersey’s OPRA statute and how to supervise the records function in an expeditious and efficient manner. This
program will provide opportunity for attendees to gain the necessary knowledge base relative to these important job functions.
Topics to be covered include, but not limited to:
 Defining what is a “Government Record”
 Public verses Exempt Records
 Statutory and Executive Order Exemptions to Public Records
 Statutory Requirements to follow in regard to the handling of your agency records
 Copying and transmission of records
 Role of the Government Records Council
 Record Retention Schedules
 Statutes and procedures regarding retention and destruction of police records
 Fee schedules that are applicable and permissible
 Expungement of Records
 Purging of Records
 Records Unit dealing with the public requests in terms of both public and exempt type records under OPRA or Common Law
 Available resources to assist through the interpretation of the law or related decisions
Students will leave with a clear understanding of the difference between Discovery, Common Law requests for documents, and
OPRA requests. The program will identify strategies to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the department’s records
functions. The program will also help the Records Staff become better acquainted with the techniques to make their jobs easier
and less stressful.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR
Chief Bendul began his career with Fort Lee Police Department in 1989 and on January 1, 2013 he became the Chief of the
96-officer department. Chief Bendul has been an Emergency Medical Technician for over 30 years and is an exempt volunteer
firefighter. He carried his Master’s in Administrative Science from Fairleigh Dickinson University and is a Certified Public Manager.
Chief Bendul is certified as a Professional in Human Resources by SHRM. He teaches Pre-Employment Background Investigations
and NJ OPRA/Records Management courses throughout New Jersey.
During his career he has served in and supervised all three of the department’s divisions: Patrol, Detective and Administration. For
seven years he served as the Secretary for Fort Lee PBA Local #245. He has received numerous community awards, 10 Merit
Board commendations, and the Chief’s Achievement Awa