Statement From the NJ Legislative Black Caucus Regarding NJ State Police

The New Jersey Legislative Black Caucus (NJ LBC) commends Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin for his courageous transparency in exposing the deeply disturbing and biased practices entrenched within the New Jersey State Police. While we appreciate the release of the Attorney General’s Report, this is not news to us. It is a harsh confirmation of what we have long known and denounced. The discrimination and egregious acts within the New Jersey State Police are an affront to the oath sworn by their officers and a violation of the public trust they are meant to uphold.

More troubling is the retaliatory actions taken against their own officers who dared to report these injustices. The deliberate targeting of those who sought to bring fairness and integrity to the force is both unacceptable and a stark betrayal of duty. These are not isolated incidents; they represent a systemic failure that has been allowed to fester for far too long, perpetuated by leadership that is unwilling to confront its own wrongdoing.

It is time for accountability. The individuals who orchestrated and perpetuated this culture of bias, retaliation, and dereliction of duties must face formal charges. The leadership that allowed these egregious acts to continue cannot remain in power. New leadership, committed to reform, must be enforced immediately.

The NJ LBC demands continuous oversight, with civilians appointed, properly trained, and given a seat at the table to ensure transparency. Public meetings must also be held regularly to restore the trust that has been so gravely breached both internally within the force and externally with the communities they are sworn to protect.

This is a breach not just of internal trust among officers but of the sacred bond between law enforcement and the public. Our communities deserve better, and our officers who are committed to their oath, deserve a system that does not punish them for doing what is right.

We need robust, enforceable measures to restore the integrity of the New Jersey State Police and rebuild the broken trust with our communities.

We echo the sentiments of Attorney General Platkin in shining a light on these injustices. We must now act decisively to ensure that no future leader can continue the pattern of avoidance and disregard for New Jersey law. The era of discrimination, retaliation, and injustice must come to an end.