Justice Department Launches Probe of Trenton Police Department

The Justice Department (DOJ) announced it has has opened a civil rights practices investigation into the Trenton, New Jersey police department.

Officials said the investigation will seek to determine “whether there are systemic violations of the Constitution and federal law” by the police. The investigation will focus on the police department’s use of force and its stops, searches and arrests.

Investigators said they will also will review police policies, training and supervision, in addition to complaint intake, internal investigation protocols, complaint handling and disciplinary decisions. The DOJ said it will conduct outreach to community groups and members of the public to learn about their experiences with Trenton police.

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for the Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger for the District of New Jersey announced the investigation. They said the probe was opened after a review of “publicly available information and other information provided” to the DOJ “suggesting that officers used force, stopped motorists and pedestrians and conducted searches of homes and cars in violation of the Constitution and federal law.”

“Police officers have the difficult job of keeping us safe, and most officers do this work with honor and distinction,” said U.S. Attorney Sellinger. “But if police officers abuse the trust the community places in them and fail to respect the constitutional rights of those in the community, and if the community feels threatened by those who wear the badge, it undermines public safety and endangers the very citizens they swore to protect and serve.”

Trenton Mayor W. Reed Gusciora said in a statement that he has instructed all levels of city government to “fully cooperate” with the investigation.

“We thank and support the overwhelming majority of officers at the city, county, and state level who do the right things every day to keep Trentonians safe,” Gusciora said. “But we also recognize that the community’s trust in our police force is critical. If any members of law enforcement violate the public trust or act in contravention of our state and federal laws, they should and must be held accountable.”

The DOJ has in recent years launched similar probes of police departments in other cities including Minneapolis, Minnesota; Louisville, Kentucky, and Worcester, Massachusetts.

Topics Law Enforcement