11/25/24 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TRENTON COUNCILWOMAN JENNIFER WILLIAMS STATEMENT ON US DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE REPORT REGARDING THE TRENTON POLICE DEPARTMENT

Trenton, NJ – November 25, 2024 – Today, Trenton’s North Ward Councilwoman Jennifer Williams released the following statement in regard to the recently released US Department of Justice (USDOJ) report studying the Trenton Police Department:

“The USDOJ’s findings regarding the conduct and enforcement of laws by some members of our Trenton Police Department were appalling and disappointing. The terrible actions described and the lack of reaction and response by our Internal Affairs division must never be allowed to happen again. For Trentonians to follow the established complaint process and not be respected, heard or seemingly deemed worthy of an investigation is unconscionable. To have so many reports of excessive or illegal use of force and violations of the Fourth Amendment to the US Constitution is a travesty.

Having gotten to know many of our officers and some our TPD leadership over the past two years, I am confident that TPD will take the DOJ’s reported findings to heart and make the recommended changes needed in order to protect all Trentonians and ensure law enforcement treats EVERYONE equally, justly and safely – while obeying and honoring the US Constitution and our laws.

To this end, I am additionally calling upon our TPD to bring back the community policing tactic of walking beats in our neighborhoods and downtown on a regular basis. We must make sure that officers serving our city know the residents they serve and residents know their serving officers. As an older, retired African American officer said to me, “They must get out of their cars to know the people.” I (and many other Trentonians) agree with him. TPD leadership needs to begin scheduling beat patrols as soon as possible. Trust must be regained between our citizenry and our police force. I can’t think of any better way for that to happen than for us to share the sidewalks of our capital city as was done long ago.

Living in a predominantly African American city with a large Latino population, a special responsibility exists to ensure that all citizens’ Constitutional Rights are not violated by our law enforcement personnel as has been historically done in too many parts of the United States. No one should fear for their lives when our police interact with them. However, criminals should fear that our police will legally move heaven and earth to capture them and bring them to justice. Trentonians want better and more reliable police. We already have many qualified, knowledgeable and dedicated officers already on the force. My heart feels for these officers that because of the actions from some of their colleagues, these good and dedicated officers may be looked upon poorly and unfairly. Though this situation taints our police department – when we hear the sirens blare, I believe we will be able to count on our officers to continue risking themselves for us every day.

Having recently completed the Trenton Police Department’s Citizens Police Academy with other Trentonians and some of my City Council colleagues, I learned a lot about our department and how it functions. We learned how they respond to calls, how they must make split second use of force decisions and even crime scene investigation procedures. All very important things to learn from the police officer’s perspective. We also learned a great deal about their commitment to uphold the law, protect citizens and their honor with which they serve each day. While there clearly have been officers who fell short of honoring their badge and oath, I believe the vast majority of officers have done their duty well and that the will for reform is there in the police department. In the future, procedures for the dismissal of officers who fall short of their duties and their oath must be more clear-cut. If you violate citizens’ rights, you have to go.

Finally, it has long been clear that we must recruit more officers from within our diverse city no matter what they look like, who they are or where they are from. Thankfully, this is already happening with many applications already filed for the next recruiting class. Bravo to Director Steve Wilson and the Trenton Police Department’s Community Affairs team for getting the word out for new officers into our community.

As good as that news is, though, new officers will not reverse the sins of the past or create concrete changes such as training, supervision and technological improvements. We will need great financial support and oversight for that. I am calling upon the US Department of Justice and the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs to provide both the funding and oversight needed to bring the Trenton Police Department fully into the 21st Century in every way possible. To not do so sacrifices the chance for real reforms and sentences our city to struggle again as before.

I offer my full confidence and support to Mayor Reed Gusciora, Police Director Steve Wilson, and all of our TPD and Administration personnel who will be involved in improving our police department. What was described in the USDOJ report will open many minds to allow reflection on the mistakes that were made. With resolve and desire to change, we can assure this will not happen again in Trenton.

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