Trenton police officers are under fire after a blistering report by federal authorities revealed a pattern of excessive force, including unreasonable physical force and pepper spray, in the absence of any significant resistance or danger. The City of Trenton and the Trenton Police Department (TPD) have acknowledged the findings and pledged to work with the federal government to implement reforms.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey and the Civil Rights Division announced on Wednesday that the TPD has engaged in a pattern or practice of conduct that violates the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution. The City and the TPD have agreed to work with the federal government to implement the recommendations for reform outlined in the report.
The investigation, which began on October 17, 2023, found that TPD officers frequently escalated encounters, even when faced with minimal resistance or threat. For example, in a 2023 incident, a police officer initially used reasonable force to detain a man, but then proceeded to stomp on the man’s hand multiple times while he was on the ground, arched his back over his head, and kicked him in the shoulder.
The TPD also conducted numerous pedestrian and vehicle stops without reasonable suspicion or probable cause, often detaining and searching individuals without a lawful basis. The TPD’s misconduct has eroded community trust and has cost the City more than $7 million since 2021 to settle lawsuits alleging police misconduct.
The investigation was conducted by a team of attorneys and staff in the Special Litigation Section of the Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey. The team conducted an exhaustive review of TPD records, including hundreds of police reports and hundreds of hours of body-worn camera footage. The team also interviewed witnesses and conducted other investigative steps.
The City and the TPD have agreed to work with the federal government to implement the report’s recommendations, which include policy reforms, training, and accountability measures. The federal government will closely monitor the City’s and the TPD’s progress to ensure that they are implementing the necessary reforms to address the constitutional violations.
The findings in the report are a stark reminder of the need for police accountability and reform. As Kristen Clarke, the Assistant Attorney General of the Civil Rights Division, noted, ‘Police officers must respect the civil and constitutional rights of the people and treat individuals with dignity.’ The report’s findings are a call to action for the City and the TPD to take immediate and sustained action to address the constitutional violations and rebuild trust with the community.
‘For too long, residents of Trenton have felt fear of the police rather than being protected by them,’ said Philip R. Sellinger, the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey. ‘The use of excessive force and unconstitutional stops, sometimes with tragic consequences, has undermined public trust and undercut public safety. Today’s findings are the first step towards the necessary reforms to restore public trust, so that the Trenton Police Department can effectively combat crime and keep residents safe while respecting the constitutional rights of every individual.’
Related Federal Cases
- Joseph P Martinelli, Conspiracy to Commit Extortion by Threats of Force, New Jersey 2018 · Utah
- Eduardo Reyes, Aggravated Assault, New Jersey 2023 · Utah
- Dion Hines, Armed Carjacking, New Jersey 2013 · Utah
- Donald Myer, Bank Robbery, New Jersey 2016 · New Jersey
- Oscar Avalos-Cortez, Hobbs Act Robbery, New Jersey 2015 · New York
Key Facts
- State: New Jersey
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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