A Century of Systemic Racism in New Jersey State Police
Lakshmi Garg
The Legacy of Racial Bias in Law Enforcement
As an Indian-American woman living in New Jersey, I’ve often wondered how the state’s law enforcement agencies reflect the diversity and complexity of our community. The New Jersey State Police, with its century-long history, is a focal point for examining systemic racism and its lasting impact on communities.
A History of Racially Charged Foundations
The New Jersey State Police was created in 1921 amidst growing tensions between white residents and African American and immigrant communities. Businessman Paul Garrett’s report, filled with racist stereotypes, framed the “foreign problem” as a threat posed by nonwhite populations. This foundation of racial superiority set the tone for decades to come.
Early internal publications revealed a culture of racism: troopers joked about hunting Black men, and incidents of violence against Black citizens were sanitized for public consumption. For example, in 1924, a trooper was praised for shooting a Black man during a “pistol duel,” while the public was told he was a hero. This double standard laid the groundwork for decades of discriminatory practices.
Racial Profiling and Federal Oversight
By the 1960s, the New Jersey State Police had entrenched itself as a force of racial discrimination. In 1967, the agency’s violent response to a Black taxi driver in Newark sparked a race riot, with 24 citizens and three officers killed. Federal investigations later revealed that state troopers had targeted Black-owned businesses and used racial profiling during traffic stops.
The 1970 federal consent decree mandated oversight of the agency’s hiring practices, but further scrutiny led to another consent decree in 1999. Despite these legal interventions, systemic racism persisted.
Persistent Issues and Recent Controversies
Despite repeated calls for reform, the New Jersey State Police has continued to struggle with racial bias. In 2017, the agency honored President Donald Trump, a known white supremacist, with an honorary badge number, raising eyebrows over how the agency’s values had not evolved. Just months before the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, a white trooper shot and killed an unarmed Black motorist, sparking renewed calls for accountability.
The Path Forward: Reform and Reflection
To move forward, several steps are necessary:
- Transparency and Accountability: Independent oversight bodies must be established to audit policing practices and address racial disparities.
- Training and Cultural Shifts: Comprehensive training on implicit bias and de-escalation techniques is critical. Agencies must prioritize community engagement and rebuild trust.
- Policy Reform: Laws must be updated to prohibit racial profiling and ensure equitable treatment for all citizens.
- Holding Leaders Accountable: Political and institutional leaders must confront the legacy of racism, not just in policing but in the broader systems that enable it.
Conclusion: A Call to Confront History
The New Jersey State Police’s century-long history of racial bias is a reflection of systemic racism in America. Addressing these issues requires more than legal reforms—it demands a reckoning with the past, a commitment to equity, and a willingness to dismantle the structures that uphold racial injustice.
As we reflect on this history, we must ask: What lessons can we draw for other institutions? How can we ensure that the fight for justice is not just a legal battle but a cultural and moral one?
The answer lies in confronting the past, challenging the present, and building a future where all communities are treated with dignity and fairness.
What examples of institutional racism have you seen in your life or community? How can we work together to dismantle these systems? Share your thoughts below.