ACLU-NJ Responds to U.S. Department of Justice Findings of Widespread Misconduct by Trenton Police

The ACLU of New Jersey responded to the findings released today by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) following a pattern and practice investigation that revealed rampant abuse and misconduct within the Trenton Police Department (TPD), including:

• Widespread violations of the Fourth Amendment.
• Unlawful use of excessive force, even when officers faced little resistance or danger.
• Wrongful stops, searches and arrests without reasonable suspicion or probable cause.
• Deficiencies in training, supervision, policy and accountability.

These violations have eroded trust between TPD and the community they are meant to serve, as well as cost the city of Trenton more than $7 million since 2021 to resolve lawsuits stemming from accusations of officer misconduct.

The following statement can be attributed to ACLU-NJ Executive Director Amol Sinha:

"The DOJ's findings of widespread abuse within the Trenton Police Department confirm what the city community has been saying for decades: officers engage in rampant misconduct with impunity, and at an immense human cost. We're grateful for the DOJ's responsiveness to community concerns and their dedication to carrying out a thorough investigation. Their report should be the first step in bringing meaningful and overdue systems of accountability to the city of Trenton.

"For New Jersey to live up to its values, our state must reimagine policing as we know it. That means strengthening internal affairs and disciplinary systems, modernizing training to end unconstitutional stop-and-frisk practices, implementing comprehensive accountability measures, and empowering communities to engage in oversight of the law enforcement officers who are meant to protect them.

"At the same time, lawmakers must halt failed tough-on-crime approaches and instead immediately prioritize legislation that strengthens systems of transparency and accountability. The Legislature can and must pass bills to make police disciplinary records public, grant civilian complaint review boards subpoena power, strictly limit the use of deadly force, and end qualified immunity - once and for all - so officers can be held liable for misconduct.

"Achieving meaningful accountability of police officers to the communities they're meant to serve requires sweeping reform - New Jerseyans deserve nothing less."