Senator Shirley Turner, Assemblywoman Reynolds-Jackson, and Assemblyman Anthony Verrelli (all D-Mercer, Hunterdon) issued the following joint statement in response to the United States Justice Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey opening an investigation into the City of Trenton and its police department focused on the alleged use of excessive force and practice of unlawful stops and searches:
“All Trenton residents deserve to feel safe in their community, and that requires trust between the people who live there and members of the police department. The allegations of excessive force and unlawful stops and searches are particularly egregious given the important role police play in maintaining public order and safety. Unconstitutional force contributes to distrust, tension, and fear between law enforcement officers and the community and makes the job of policing more difficult and less safe for dedicated officers who perform their duties with integrity and professionalism.
“We thank the Justice Department for addressing these concerns and are encouraged that the City of Trenton will fully cooperate with this investigation.”