A recent report issued by the New Jersey State Comptroller’s office has found that the State Police did not do enough to prevent discriminatory policing practices within their ranks. The report revealed that despite the regular issuance of lengthy reports on racial profiling, leaders within the State Police failed to address data trends that indicated the persistent adverse treatment of racial and ethnic minority motorists. Acting State Comptroller Kevin Walsh expressed concern over the lack of action taken to combat these trends, stating that the problems appear to be deeper than previously realized.
The report, which is part of the state comptroller’s mandate to conduct an annual review of the State Police and its Office of Law Enforcement Professional Standards, follows a 2023 report commissioned by the state attorney general that also found evidence of discrimination against Black and Latino drivers. The professional standards office noted that they repeatedly requested information from the State Police to explain these trends, but received limited or no responses in most cases. Attorney General Matt Platkin, who oversees the State Police, called many of the findings in the report “inexcusable and deeply troubling,” emphasizing that bias and implicit bias should not be ignored within law enforcement agencies.
With the State Police previously under federal supervision from 1999 to 2009 due to racial profiling allegations, the state implemented policies aimed at continuing oversight and ending discriminatory policing during traffic stops. However, the recent report highlights that more needs to be done to address ongoing issues of discrimination within the State Police. The lack of action taken to combat data trends indicating adverse treatment of racial and ethnic minority motorists underscores the need for greater accountability and efforts to promote equality and fairness within law enforcement agencies.
The State Police have faced criticism for failing to address the disparities in treatment of people of color on the roads, despite being aware of the data for years. The comptroller’s report raises concerns about systemic issues within the State Police that have not been adequately addressed. The failure to take meaningful action to combat discrimination and bias within the organization points to a need for significant reforms and changes in policy and procedures to promote equity and justice for all individuals in their interactions with law enforcement.
Moving forward, it will be crucial for the State Police to take concrete steps to address the issues raised in the report and work towards fostering a more inclusive and equitable environment within their ranks. The findings of the report underscore the importance of ongoing oversight and accountability mechanisms to ensure that discriminatory practices are rooted out and that all individuals are treated with fairness and respect. By acknowledging and addressing these systemic issues, the State Police can begin to rebuild trust with the communities they serve and uphold the values of justice and equality in their law enforcement practices.
