To ensure law enforcement agencies reflect the diversity of the communities they serve, the fully Assembly voted to clear a measure Thursday, 70-3-5, that would require all law enforcement agencies in New Jersey to establish minority recruitment and selection programs. The legislation previously passed the full Senate by a vote of 39-1 and now heads to the Governor.
The bill (A-2394) would further require annual reporting on recruitment, retention and promotion of officers providing information specific to age, gender, race and ethnicity. This information would be published in a yearly report and made available online by the Attorney General.
Sponsors of the bill, Assembly Democrats Benjie E. Wimberly (D-Bergen, Passaic), Gordon M. Johnson (D-Bergen) and Jamel C. Holley (D-Union), issued the following joint statement:
“The Black community in America is in pain and reeling in the wake of senseless police-perpetrated violence. A breakdown of trust between communities of color and police in America is evident.
“We must start with being intentional about the way our law enforcement agencies mirror the evolving racial diversity of the communities they protect and serve. Being more deliberate in hiring minorities will make our police departments more inclusive and ultimately translate into better relationships with communities.
“It all comes down to breaking cycles of bias. In building the mechanisms to tackle underrepresentation and keep agencies accountable to greater diversity, we have an opportunity to do just that.”