Statements in Response to Comments Made by Officer Michael Palinczar

TRENTON, N.J. – In response to certain posts on social media by Trenton Police Officer Michael Palinczar, City leaders made the following statements:

“I am adamantly against all forms of racism and bigotry, and these types of statements have no place in our city,” said Mayor Reed Gusciora. “Language and bigoted attitudes like this have harmful impacts on residents and erodes the trust between police and the community. I expect the Police Department to conduct a thorough investigation and take any and all appropriate disciplinary action.”

“I am very disturbed about Mr. Palinczar’s sweeping negative generalizations about the very people he is sworn to protect,” said Councilman-at-Large Jerell Blakeley. “Although he claims to be the “Overseer” for the people of Trenton on his social media pages, Officer Palinczar is first and foremost a public servant who is sworn with protecting and serving Trentonians. At its core, effective community policing requires trust between our police department and the community that they serve. Mr. Palinczar’s divisive comments are the antithesis of the great work that Trenton Police Officers do every day to keep our city safe.”

“The Trenton Police Department does not condone this inappropriate language, and it is not reflective of the values and principles of this agency,” said Acting Police DirectorChris Doyle. “There is an active investigation into this matter, and therefore I cannot comment further at this time.”