A New Jersey State Trooper, Jason Dare, was fired by the department after an investigation into his white supremacist-linked tattoos, including a neck tattoo that cited a well-known Hitler Youth slogan. This shocking body art was only brought to light after the department released a public missing person alert for Dare in March 2023 when he left a Pennsylvania medical facility and disappeared. Despite being found safe a few days later, attention was drawn to the “Blood Honor” text across the bottom of his neck, visible in a photo released with the missing persons report. Internet sleuths uncovered more troubling tattoos on Dare’s Facebook page, including iron crosses and symbols associated with a white supremacist group called the Keystone State Skinheads.
The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability launched an internal investigation into Dare following complaints about his tattoos, which were found to violate law enforcement policies on conflicts of interest due to their association with racist ideology. However, Dare’s hate-linked ink was not listed as the reason for his termination in the annual disciplinary report. The report did mention that he violated a previously negotiated plea agreement for misconduct by leaving a medical facility without notifying the Division, entering an unoccupied residence in Pennsylvania without permission, and discharging a shotgun round through the front window of his residence.
State police have not provided details on the circumstances of Dare’s medical treatment, disappearance, or firearm incident. The Attorney General’s Office confirmed that Dare was terminated on Nov. 27 following their investigation, but did not disclose further information. Dare had shared posts on Facebook alluding to white supremacist and neo-Nazi groups, further implicating his ties to these extremist organizations. The presence of these tattoos and social media activity raised concerns about Dare’s affiliations and beliefs during his nearly two decades on the job as a state trooper.
Dare’s termination was based on a combination of factors, including his violation of a previously negotiated plea agreement and misconduct involving firearms and unauthorized entry into a residence. The Department of Public Safety’s disciplinary report did not explicitly cite Dare’s tattoos as the reason for his termination, instead listing charges related to uniform and grooming standards. Dare’s dismissal highlighted the strict enforcement of policies within law enforcement agencies, especially when it comes to issues of conflict of interest and association with extremist ideologies. The investigation into Dare’s tattoos shed light on the potential presence of white supremacist elements within police departments and the importance of addressing and preventing such beliefs within law enforcement.
The case of Jason Dare serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges in combating white supremacist ideologies, even within the ranks of law enforcement. The discovery of his tattoos and social media activity raised concerns about the presence of extremism within the New Jersey State Police and the need for thorough investigations and enforcement of policies regarding conflicts of interest and bias. Dare’s removal from the department was the result of multiple violations of department policies, including unauthorized actions and behavior that compromised his ability to fulfill his responsibilities as a state trooper. The incident involving Dare highlights the importance of addressing and eradicating white supremacy within all institutions, including law enforcement, to ensure public safety and trust in the justice system. The consequences of Dare’s actions serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of extremist ideologies infiltrating positions of power and authority.
