By Maria Ortiz
17 Oct 2023, 18:56 PM EDT
The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey opened an investigation Tuesday into the Trenton Police Department (TPD) and the city of Trenton, New Jersey, for overuse practices of police force and abuse.
The announced investigation is based on “serious and credible” reports of officers using inappropriate levels of force and illegally stopping and searching pedestrians and drivers.
The investigation into the government of Trenton, the capital of New Jersey, and its police force is expected to take a year and could lead to the police department being brought under federal oversight by the Department of Justice through a consent decree, according to The New York Times.
“The investigation will seek to determine whether there are systemic violations of the Constitution and federal law by TPD,” the DOJ said in a news release. “The investigation will focus on TPD’s use of force and its stops, searches and arrests.”
“The investigation will include a comprehensive review of TPD policies, training and supervision, as well as complaint receipt, internal investigation protocols, complaint reviews, complaint adjudications and disciplinary decisions,” the DOJ statement continues.
“The public should have confidence that police officers will treat them fairly and with respect,” said Deputy Attorney General Kristen Clarke.
Clarke said the Justice Department is opening its investigation “after a thorough review of publicly available information and other information provided to us that suggests officers used force, stopped motorists and pedestrians, and conducted searches of homes and cars.” in violation of the Constitution and federal law.”
The Justice Department also said it will reach out to “community members and groups” for information about experiences with Trenton police, according to the news release.
When announcing the investigation, Clarke clarified that it “will focus on two central areas. First, whether the Trenton Police Department has a pattern or practice of using excessive force. And second, whether the Trenton Police Department is engaged in a pattern or practice of unlawfully stopping, searching and arresting persons traveling on foot or by automobile.”
He went on to say, “Our decision to open this investigation is based on a thorough review of publicly available information, including court records, media reports, statistical data, and we also evaluated body camera footage and other information provided to us.”
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