Statement From the NJ Legislative Black Caucus Regarding NJ State Police biased practices

Statement From the NJ Legislative Black Caucus Regarding NJ State Police:

The New Jersey Legislative Black Caucus (NJ LBC) commends Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin for his courageous transparency in exposing the deeply disturbing and biased practices entrenched within the New Jersey State Police. While we appreciate the release of the Attorney General’s Report, this is not news to us. It is a harsh confirmation of what we have long known and denounced. The discrimination and egregious acts within the New Jersey State Police are an affront to the oath sworn by their officers and a violation of the public trust they are meant to uphold.

More troubling is the retaliatory actions taken against their own officers who dared to report these injustices. The deliberate targeting of those who sought to bring fairness and integrity to the force is both unacceptable and a stark betrayal of duty. These are not isolated incidents; they represent a systemic failure that has been allowed to fester for far too long, perpetuated by leadership that is unwilling to confront its own wrongdoing.

It is time for accountability. The individuals who orchestrated and perpetuated this culture of bias, retaliation, and dereliction of duties must face formal charges. The leadership that allowed these egregious acts to continue cannot remain in power. New leadership, committed to reform, must be enforced immediately.

The NJ LBC demands continuous oversight, with civilians appointed, properly trained, and given a seat at the table to ensure transparency. Public meetings must also be held regularly to restore the trust that has been so gravely breached both internally within the force and externally with the communities they are sworn to protect.

This is a breach not just of internal trust among officers but of the sacred bond between law enforcement and the public. Our communities deserve better, and our officers who are committed to their oath, deserve a system that does not punish them for doing what is right.

We need robust, enforceable measures to restore the integrity of the New Jersey State Police and rebuild the broken trust with our communities.

We echo the sentiments of Attorney General Platkin in shining a light on these injustices. We must now act decisively to ensure that no future leader can continue the pattern of avoidance and disregard for New Jersey law. The era of discrimination, retaliation, and injustice must come to an end.

NJ state legislators introduce bill to form ‘New Jersey Reparations Task Force’

Trenton – Senator Ronald Rice, Senator Sandra B. Cunningham, Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter, Assemblywoman Britnee Timberlake and the Legislative Black Caucus introduced legislation today, which would establish the “New Jersey Reparations Task Force.” The task force would conduct research and develop proposals and recommendations to address the generational harms caused by the state’s role in the institution of slavery and its legacy of systemic racial discrimination.

“The existence and history of slavery in the United States is the greatest evil our country ever committed. The continuation of systemic and institutional racism spanning from the emancipation of slaves to the present continues the darkest part of history,” said Senator Rice (D-Essex). “I believe the country is ready to have a conversation on the history of slavery and racism in this country, giving us a special opportunity to research New Jersey’s role in slavery and develop reparations proposals for African Americans in New Jersey.”

“This is an incredible first step in righting our country’s greatest wrong. We will never see true equality if we do not take responsibility for the many ways slavery has shaped the socioeconomics of our country,” said Senator Cunningham (D-Hudson). “I hope this legislation will inspire other states to take action as well. The institution of slavery has impacted every aspect of our democracy since this nation’s founding and it is time we finally take a good hard look at the damage it has done.”

“New Jersey was not removed from the harm and ill effects of slavery. Slavery was not just a southern institution. In the 17th Century there were laws on the books that grossly impacted Africans which effects may still be felt today,” said Assemblywoman Sumter (D-Bergen/Passaic). “Among the disparities experienced by African Americans include curfew laws, economic injustices, redlining for home purchases, inferior public education and health inequities with environmental injustices. We are seeking to have the brightest minds serve on the Task Force to identify the impacts of slavery and the opportunities for restorative justice.”

“We can see the impact of slavery and how we have been disenfranchised long after the impacts of slavery,” said Assemblywoman Timberlake (D-Essex/Passaic). “This bill serves to explore how reparations in our modern world would look through education, through housing, and other fitting options that mirror the times we live in today. Through the creation of this legislation, we hope to restore and repair communities that have been systematically broken.”

The task force would be made up of members appointed by the Governor, Legislative leaders, as well as four public members recommended by organizations concerned with the issues of civil rights, human rights, racial, social and economic justice and equality, reparations and other issues concerning the African American community.

The task force would examine the role New Jersey played in slavery and study the lingering negative effects of slavery on African Americans and society. They would also research methods and materials for facilitating education, community dialogue, symbolic acknowledgement and other formal actions. Ultimately they would recommend reparation remedies to achieve a sense of social and economic justice among the descendants of enslaved African people in New Jersey.

When the final report is issued, the task force would disband.