Gov. Phil Murphy has signed a bill that prevents potentially dangerous police officers from returning to the force.

The law requires police officers in New Jersey to have a valid license to work in law enforcement.

In the past, officers who were removed from duty due to misconduct could still be employed by a different police department elsewhere.

"Being a member of New Jersey law enforcement family is a privilege, it is not a right. And this new license will send a strong message that the person entrusted with it takes this privilege seriously,” Murphy said.

New Jersey joins more than 40 other states in having a licensing system for police officers.