Trenton, N.J.- Last month, Jajuan Henderson, an unarmed black man was shot and paralyzed by Trenton police officers while sitting in a parked car after retrieving an iced tea. Almost 45 days later, body camera footage of the incident still has not been released, despite the Attorney General Law Enforcement Directive 2018-1 mandating that body camera footage be released upon request within 20 days of an encounter.

Today, I’m standing in solidarity with the victim and his family, and calling for the release of the bodycam footage.

Being a black man in a car at night does not warrant lethal use of force, and being a police officer shouldn’t mean that you are immune from accountability. Mr. Henderson’s encounter with the Trenton Police Department shines a spotlight on the nature of policing throughout the state. He wasn’t committing a crime, yet he was attacked by a group of unidentified police officers in unmarked cars, dressed in all black with ski masks.

Late last year, I got to know some of New Jersey’s finest law enforcement officers and community advocates over the course of ten weeks, while participating in the 3rd New Jersey State Police Citizens Academy. I know that the overwhelming majority of police officers are dedicated public servants who honorably protect and serve our communities. It is a shame when the actions of a few, stain the reputation of the many. For the citizens of Trenton to be denied the needed transparency on the actions that led to Jajuan Henderson being shot and paralyzed leads to distrust between Trentonians and the police.

Both as an LGBTQ person and a person of color, I believe that rebuilding trust between the community and law enforcement starts with understanding, listening, evaluating, and working together. I have faith that justice will be served. My thoughts are with Jajuan Henderson and his family.