ACLU-NJ Calls Consent Decree End Premature and Vows to Fight for Police Accountability

Newark - The ACLU of New Jersey expressed disappointment today upon learning of the premature termination of parts of the Racial Profiling Consent Decree. Under the Decree, the State Police are subject to supervision and reporting requirements arising from their acknowledged policy of targeting minorities on the New Jersey Turnpike. In a court order signed by United States District Court Judge Mary Cooper, Department of Justice oversight of the Internal Affairs Division was terminated.
"If internal investigations practices have improved in the State Police, that's great, but it's not a reason to end oversight." said Deborah Jacobs, Executive Director of the ACLU-NJ. "Since oversight seems to be working, isn't it in New Jersey's best interest to stick with it and ensure that unethical practices do not resume? At a minimum it should remain in place until December 2004, which was earliest end date indicated in the consent decree."
The ACLU-NJ believes that termination of oversight of the Internal Affairs portion of the consent decree was imprudent. Police practices are not reformed overnight. If compliance with the decree is a burden on the State Police, it's a deserved and appropriate burden, and one which should continue in the interest of safe and ethical policing in New Jersey. Further, while the ACLU-NJ is pleased with improvements in this one area of police practices, the State Police have failed to substantially comply with other portions of the Consent Decree, and racial minorities continue to get stopped at higher rates than whites.
The State has undone the consent decree much in the matter that it was done: with little public notice and information. In April 1999, then-Attorney General Peter Verniero admitted that citizens were stopped and searched on the New Jersey Turnpike based on their skin color. The actions of troopers brought about the federal lawsuit against the State based upon civil rights violations. However, a joint Consent Decree was filed the same day as the lawsuit was filed, thus leaving no room for objections or time for affected organizations to become involved. This week, the motion to end the Internal Affairs Division oversight was filed by the Attorney General with little fanfare, and was signed by the judge on an expedited timeline.
The ACLU-NJ intends to work with the NAACP, the Black Ministers Council, and other concerned organizations to preserve the consent decree oversight at least until December 2004.



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