New Jersey State Police

{{Short description|State law enforcement agency of New Jersey}}

{{Primary sources|date=September 2022}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}

{{Infobox law enforcement agency

| agencyname = New Jersey State Police

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| abbreviation = NJSP

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| patch = Patch of the New Jersey State Police.png

| patchcaption = New Jersey State Police patch

| logo = Logo of the New Jersey State Police.svg

| logocaption = Logo of the New Jersey State Police

| badge = New Jersey State Police Seal.svg

| badgecaption = Seal of the New Jersey State Police

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| motto = Honor, Duty, Fidelity

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| formedyear = {{Start date and age|1921|3|29}}

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| employees = 3,811 (as of 2022){{cite report |author=Brian A. Reaves |date=2011-07-11 |title=Census of State and Local Law Enforcement Agencies, 2022 |url=https://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/csllea08.pdf |publisher=Bureau of Justice Statistics |id=NCJ 233982 |access-date=2022-09-08 }}

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| country = United States

| countryabbr = USA

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| divtype = State

| divname = New Jersey

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| map = NJ - State Police Troops.png

| mapcaption = NJSP Troops

| sizearea = {{convert|8729|sqmi|km2}}

| sizepopulation = 9.24 million (2022 est.)

| legaljuris = New Jersey, United States

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| police = Yes

| local = Yes

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| headquarters = Ewing Township, New Jersey, United States

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| sworntype = Troopers

| sworn = 2,800 (as of 2022)

| unsworntype = Civilian employees

| unsworn = 1,226

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| minister1pfo =

| chief1name = Colonel Patrick J. Callahan

| chief1position = Superintendent

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| stationtype = Troop

| stations = {{Collapsible list |title=4|Troop A: Southern New Jersey (including the Atlantic City Expressway)|Troop B: Northern New Jersey|Troop C: Central New Jersey|Troop D: New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway}}

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| website = [http://www.njsp.org Official Site]

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The New Jersey State Police (NJSP) is the official state police force of the U.S. state of New Jersey. It is a general-powers police agency with statewide jurisdiction, designated by troop sectors.{{Cite web |url=http://www.njsp.org/about/functions.html |title=NJSP Functions |access-date=2006-12-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151230172141/http://www.njsp.org/about/functions.html |archive-date=2015-12-30 |url-status=dead }}

History

{{POV section|date=February 2025}}

The legislation for the creation of the NJSP was first introduced in 1914, but it would not be until March 29, 1921, with the passing of the State Police Bill, that a statewide police force was created. Senator Clarence I. Case was the driving force behind the 1921 legislation.

The person with the most impact on the organization was its first Superintendent Norman Schwarzkopf, Sr. He was a graduate of West Point and this training and his time in the military heavily influenced how he organized and trained his first group of troopers.{{cite magazine |url={{GBurl|qOIDAAAAMBAJ |page=929}} |title=They Get Their Man |magazine=Popular Mechanics |date=December 1930 |pages=929–936}} article that shows the type of training given in the 1920s and 1930s "Honor, Duty, Fidelity", adapted from the West Point motto "Duty, Honor, Country", is the motto of the NJSP. The triangular state police logo and hat badge represents this motto. The badge was created by New York jeweler Julius George Schwarzkopf, the father of founder Herbert Norman Schwarzkopf. The NJSP logo includes the year 1921, date of founding, in place of a badge number.{{cite web |title=NJSP Motto |url=http://www.njsp.org/about/mission.html}}

The first State Police class reported for training on September 1, 1921 and consisted of 116 men out of an applicant group of 600. Training took place in Sea Girt, New Jersey on the same grounds as the current State Police Academy.[http://www.njsp.org/recruit/academy.html New Jersey State Police Academy] Out of the 116 men who started training only 81 officers and troopers completed the three-month training program. According to the New Jersey State Police website:

{{blockquote|"On December 1, 1921, the new troopers were administered the oath of office and on December 5, 1921, in a blinding snowstorm, started out on horseback and motorcycle to their posts throughout the state."[http://www.njsp.org/about/20s.html New Jersey State Police Website]}}

=Racial profiling=

File:New Jersey State Police Traffic Stop.jpg

In the late 1990s, both the Maryland and New Jersey State Police agencies were subject to allegations of racial profiling which claimed that black motorists were being pulled over disproportionately on the New Jersey Turnpike and on Interstate 95. A nationwide controversy erupted, which ultimately resulted in a federal monitor watching over the New Jersey State Police. In a consent decree, the New Jersey State Police agreed to adopt a new policy that no individual may be detained based on race, unless said individual matches the description of a specific suspect.[http://www.state.nj.us/oag/jointapp.htm Joint Application For Entry of Consent Decree][http://www.njdcj.org/agguide/directives/racial-profiling/racial-profiling.htm Eradicating Racial Profiling] The consent decree was dissolved on September 21, 2009.[http://www.nj.gov/oag/newsreleases09/pr20090921a.html "State Police Racial Profiling Consent Decree Dissolved", New Jersey Attorney General Press Release, September 21, 2009, last accessed January 8, 2010]

=New Jersey Turnpike shooting=

On April 23, 1998, Troopers James Kenna and John Hogan opened fire on a van they stopped for speeding on the New Jersey Turnpike. The four passengers in the van were unarmed. The troopers said they fired, wounding three of the four minority men inside, when the van lurched back toward them. This also started the investigation of possible racial profiling within law enforcement in New Jersey.{{Cite web |date=11 January 2014 |title=Timeline of N.J. State Police struggles with racial discrimination |url=http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/01/timeline_of_nj_state_police_struggles_with_racial_discrimination.html}}

=Lords of Discipline=

On December 1, 2003, Trooper Justin Hopson filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Camden. Hopson alleged in his complaint that he was hazed and harassed by a group of fellow state troopers known as the "Lords of Discipline." The hazing occurred when Hopson, with only eleven days on the force at the time, refused to falsify the facts underlying an illegal arrest of a citizen. The complaint alleges that after Hopson refused to support the arrest, he was physically assaulted, received threatening notes, and his car was vandalized while on duty. Over the years, several troopers have come forward about the Lords of Discipline. The secret group allegedly drove nails into colleagues' tires, damaged lockers, and wore Lords of Discipline inscribed T-shirts. The NJ Attorney General's Office conducted a two-year investigation into the group where seven troopers were suspended or reprimanded but the probe found "no organized group of troopers known as the Lords of Discipline." On October 1, 2007, the State of New Jersey agreed to a $400,000 settlement with Justin Hopson. A spokesman for the attorney general called the Hopson settlement "fair and reasonable."[http://www.nj.gov/oag/newsreleases06/lod-report.pdf A report issued by the NJ Attorney General's Office]

=Arrest of Officer Gary S. Wade=

On August 17, 2004 New Jersey State Police Troopers Michael Colaner and David Ryan pulled over Detective Gary S. Wade of the Tinton Falls Police Department for allegedly speeding.

Detective Wade, who worked for the Police Department in Tinton Falls for eight years, was supposedly on his way to work and driving with his seatbelt on in an unmarked police car with a spotlight on the driver's side, wearing a shirt with an embroidered badge on it and also wearing a badge on his belt. After being pulled over Wade called his supervisor according to his department's protocol and asked the state troopers to wait until his supervisor arrived.{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Richard G. |date=December 13, 2006 |title=Convicted Former Detective Sues Over State Police Stop |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/13/nyregion/13trooper.html |work=The New York Times}}

However, the dash camera from trooper Colaner's patrol vehicle indicated that within 30 seconds Colaner had pulled a gun on Wade who was still in his car. According to a transcript of the video Wade had asked twice why he was being pulled over and received no answer from the troopers. Colaner then informed Wade that he was placing Wade under arrest for disorderly conduct and after a 90-second exchange the troopers pulled Wade out of his car. The video then shows Colaner hitting Wade in the back of the head with a fist wrapped around a can of pepper spray just before Wade was forced to the ground. Wade was then doused with pepper spray and handcuffed.{{Cite web |title=OPINION filed for WADE v. COLANER et al |url=http://docs.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/new-jersey/njdce/3:2006cv03715/192507/129/}}

Wade was subsequently charged and convicted in 2006 in municipal court, of the disorderly persons (misdemeanor) offense: Obstruction of Administration of Law, and the traffic infraction of careless driving. He was convicted again in Superior Court and was ordered to forfeit his position with the Borough of Tinton Falls Police Department. His appeal of the conviction and forfeiture was denied in 2008.

{{Cite web |title=STATE OF NEW JERSEY v. GARY WADE |url=http://law.justia.com/cases/new-jersey/appellate-division-unpublished/2008/a2184-06-opn.html}} However, in 2010, a federal jury in a civil lawsuit found that Trooper Colaner used excessive force in the handling of Wade and awarded Wade $5 million in compensatory and punitive damages.{{Cite web |date=12 May 2010 |title=Ex-Tinton Falls cop wins $5M lawsuit against N.J. State Police for excessive force |url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/05/ex-tinton_fall_cop_wins_5m_law.html}}

=Trooper Robert Higbee=

On September 27, 2006, Trooper Robert Higbee was attempting to stop a speeding car, driven by Joshua Wigglesworth,Subin, D. W., 2013. Closing the Gap. Margate, NJ: ComteQ. {{ISBN|193523269X}} when he failed to yield at a stop sign at the intersection of Stagecoach and Tuckahoe Roads in Marmora, an unincorporated part of Upper Township, Cape May County. He then collided with a minivan occupied by two sisters, 17-year-old Jacqueline and 19-year-old Christina Becker, which then collided with another vehicle occupied by Robert Taylor and his son Michael. Jacqueline and Christina Becker were pronounced dead at the scene. Higbee was suspended without pay after being indicted and tried on two counts of vehicular homicide in the deaths of Jacqueline and Christina Becker. Higbee was subsequently acquitted on all counts.[http://www.philly.com/inquirer/world_us/20090609_Fellow_troopers_showed_support_throughout_trial.html Fellow troopers showed support throughout trial], philly.com, June 9, 2009, accessed June 19, 2009[http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/06/acquitted_nj_state_trooper_rob.html Acquitted N.J. State Trooper Robert Higbee seeks to get back on the job] The mother of Jacqueline and Christina Becker has settled a civil lawsuit for $2 million, while Taylor has filed a lawsuit against Higbee and the New Jersey State Police.[http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/breaking/article_4b5817d4-3f6f-11de-a065-001cc4c002e0.html Speeder says he heard, saw trooper crash into minivan], pressofatlanticcity.com, May 12, 2009, accessed May 18, 2009

[http://www.philly.com/philly/news/local/20090512_Witness_in_Higbee_trial_describes__quot_crazy_driving_quot_.html "Witness in Higbee trial describes 'crazy driving{{'"}}], philly.com, May 12, 2009, accessed May 18, 2009 These events, including the criminal trial, have been depicted in Closing the Gap, an account by Higbee's defense attorney D. William Subin.

=Chris Christie helicopter to baseball game=

On May 31, 2011, New Jersey State Police helicoptered Governor Chris Christie and his wife, Mary Pat, to their son's high school baseball game in Montvale, NJ, Morris County. At the baseball game, another NJSP vehicle, a black car with tinted windows, drove Christie and his wife to and from the helicopter to the baseball field—approximately 200 yards. NJSP then helicoptered Christie to Princeton to meet with Republican business leaders from Iowa who were trying to draft him to run for president. The AgustaWestland helicopter cost tax-payers $12.5 million and was operated by NJSP personnel.Helicopter Joyride nj.com article http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/05/gov_christie_arrives_at_sons_h.html

Christie and Colonel Joseph Rick Fuentes defended the use of NJSP department resources, though New Jersey residents complained about the misuse of government and police resources for personal entertainment. Assemblyman Paul Moriart called on the governor to disclose the use of NJSP helicopters and reimburse taxpayers for the costs associated with personal and political trips. "Gov. Christie must learn that tax payers cannot afford his helicopter joyrides", said Moriart.CBS News Gov takes helicopter to game http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/06/01/new-jersey-gov-chris-christie-takes-state-helicopter-to-sons-baseball-game/

=Arrest of Rebecca Musarra=

On October 16, 2015, New Jersey State Troopers Matthew Stazzone and Demetric Gosa arrested Philadelphia-based attorney Rebecca Musarra. The arrest was captured on dashcam video from Stazzone's patrol vehicle. The video showed that when Stazzone asked Musarra the reason he has stopped her, Musarra asserted that she did not have to answer questions. Trooper Stazzone then arrested her for "obstruction" for failing to answer the question. Stazzone read Musarra her Miranda rights, including a statement about her right to remain silent and not answer questions. According to a lawsuit filed by Musarra in federal court, Stazzone and Gosa then took her to the State Police barracks in Washington, NJ. Once there, a supervisor viewed the tape of the arrest and informed Musarra that her arrest had been a mistake.{{Cite web |date=24 August 2017 |title=N.J. Pays woman arrested for staying silent |url=http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2017/08/nj_pays_30k_to_woman_arrested_for_staying_silent_d.html}} In March 2017, the New Jersey State Police sent Musarra a letter stating that her allegations of false arrest and illegal search had been substantiated.{{Cite web |date=24 August 2017 |title=Lawyer arrested for not answering questions gets settlement |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/lawyer-arrested-for-not-answering-questions-gets-settlement/}} Later that year, in August 2017, Musarra settled her federal lawsuit related to the incident for $30,000. Stazzone and Gosa remained on-duty after the incident and were reportedly given additional training.{{Cite web |date=25 August 2017 |title=Lawyer Arrested for Not Talking to Police, Wins Settlement but the Cops Are Still on the Beat |url=https://abovethelaw.com/2017/08/lawyer-arrested-for-not-talking-to-police-wins-settlement-but-the-cops-are-still-on-the-beat/}}

=Trooper Trump=

File:Donald Trump (14235998650) (cropped).jpg was awarded as an honorary state trooper with badge #45 by the state police for his support of law enforcement.]]

In 2017, the State Police made President Donald Trump an honorary state trooper, giving him the badge number 45 (that had been assigned to Trooper Leo A. Griffin of the First Class in 1921, who did not graduate), in a private ceremony at the White House. Officials presenting the award included Patrick Callahan, Rick Fuentes and Jeffrey Mottley.{{citation |last=Sullivan |first=S.P. |title=Trooper Trump? State Police give the president badge number 45 |date=September 19, 2017 |website=NJ.com |url=http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2017/09/trooper_trump_state_police_give_the_president_badg.html |access-date=September 20, 2017 |quote=...But it raised eyebrows among some members of the ranks, who thought it inappropriate...}}

=Racism investigations=

In July 2023, the NAACP New Jersey State Conference called upon the Department of Justice and state Attorney General Matt Platkin to investigate allegations of systemic racism and discrimination within the state police.{{Cite web |last=Nieto-Munoz |first=Sophie |date=2023-07-12 |title=Activists call for federal oversight of N.J. State Police over racial discrimination allegations • New Jersey Monitor |url=https://newjerseymonitor.com/2023/07/12/activists-call-for-federal-oversight-of-n-j-state-police-over-racial-discrimination-allegations/ |access-date=2024-10-29 |website=New Jersey Monitor |language=en-US}} In September 2024, two separate reports were released in response to the allegations, with one focusing on the state police's Office of Professional Standards and the other on the state police's practices for recruitment, hiring, and promotion.{{Cite web |last=DiFilippo |first=Dana |date=2024-09-24 |title=Racism, favoritism taint state police's promotions and internal affairs, reports find • New Jersey Monitor |url=https://newjerseymonitor.com/2024/09/24/racism-favoritism-taint-state-polices-promotions-and-internal-affairs-reports-find/ |access-date=2024-10-29 |website=New Jersey Monitor |language=en-US}} The release of the reports led the NAACP to call for state police leadership to be replaced.{{Cite web |last=DiFilippo |first=Dana |date=2024-10-11 |title=NAACP renews call for clean sweep of top brass at state police over racism claims • New Jersey Monitor |url=https://newjerseymonitor.com/2024/10/11/naacp-renews-call-for-clean-sweep-of-top-brass-at-state-police-over-racism-claims/ |access-date=2024-10-29 |website=New Jersey Monitor |language=en-US}}

A 2023 report found evidence of racial disparities in traffic enforcement by NJSP.{{Cite news |date=2024 |title=For 8 Months, Traffic Enforcement on New Jersey's Highways Plummeted |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/08/nyregion/new-jersey-state-police-slowdown.html |work=New York Times}} After the release of the report, the NJSP engaged in a work slowdown, as it issued substantially fewer traffic tickets.

=Alleged antisemitic remarks=

On October 24, 2024, The New York Post reported that the state police's second-in-command, Lieutenant Sean Kilcomons, allegedly made an antisemitic remark about state Attorney General Matt Platkin and his son.{{Cite web |last1=Celona |first1=Larry |last2=McCarthy |first2=Craig |last3=Propper |first3=David |date=2024-10-24 |title=Exclusive {{!}} Top NJ State Police spews offensive remark over Jewish official's son on 'Bring Your Child to Work Day': complaint |url=https://nypost.com/2024/10/24/us-news/top-nj-state-police-spews-offensive-remark-over-jewish-officials-son-on-bring-your-child-to-work-day-complaint/ |access-date=2024-10-29 |language=en-US}} Shortly thereafter, an investigation was opened into the allegations,{{Cite web |last=DiFilippo |first=Dana |date=2024-10-25 |title=State police's second-in-command under investigation for antisemitism • New Jersey Monitor |url=https://newjerseymonitor.com/2024/10/25/state-polices-second-in-command-under-investigation-for-antisemitism/ |access-date=2024-10-29 |website=New Jersey Monitor |language=en-US}} which Attorney General Platkin recused himself from.{{Cite web |last=WC |first=NJOAG Communications |date=2024-10-25 |title=Statement from Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin on Alleged Antisemitic Remarks |url=https://www.njoag.gov/statement-from-attorney-general-matthew-j-platkin-on/ |access-date=2024-10-29 |website=New Jersey Office of Attorney General |language=en-US}}

Core functions

File:Flying Too Low.jpg

The New Jersey State Police is responsible for general police services, general highway and traffic enforcement, statewide investigation and intelligence services, emergency management, support for state and local law enforcement efforts, maintenance of criminal records and identification systems and regulation of certain commerce such as firearms ownership.

Many municipalities in southern and north-western New Jersey lack local police departments, therefore the state police have the primary responsibility for providing police services to these towns for a yearly assessed nominal fee paid to the state government. The New Jersey State Police is also charged with the responsibility of protecting the Governor of New Jersey and Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey, as well as the President of the New Jersey Senate and the Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly.

Training for recruits takes place at the State Police Academy located in Sea Girt, New Jersey. The curriculum consists of ten units of study that increase in difficulty and complexity over the 24 weeks of training.[http://www.njsp.org/recruit/academy.html NJSP Academy]

NJSP is one third of the participants of a traffic management center called STMC (Statewide Traffic Management Center) located in Woodbridge, NJ. STMC is also the home to New Jersey Department of Transportation and the New Jersey Turnpike Authority. The STMC is staffed 24/7 and is responsible for the coordination and logistics of statewide resources during major incidents within the State of New Jersey.

Equipment

  • Glock 19 Gen 4
  • Benelli M4 shotgun
  • Colt M4 Enhanced Patrol Rifle

The New Jersey State Police adopted the Glock 19 Gen 4 9mm or Glock 17 Gen 4 (select Trooper) semiautomatic pistol as their new service pistol after the agency sued SIG Sauer for manufacturing defective handguns. The New Jersey State Police were using the SIG Sauer P229 semiautomatic pistol before they transitioned to the Glock 19 Gen 4 semiautomatic pistol. The New Jersey State Police transitioned from the Benelli M1 shotgun to the Benelli M4 shotgun in 2024. Troopers assigned to local municipality barracks, Technical Emergency And Mission Specialists (TEAMS) Unit, and Homeland Security are issued the Colt M4 Enhanced Patrol Rifle.{{cite web |title=NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE 2023 Annual Report |url=https://nj.gov/njsp/about/pdf/2023_njsp_AnnualReport.pdf |page=37 |quote=The Armorer Unit is exchanging new patrol rifles, the Colt Enhanced Patrol Rifle, within the troop stations and specialized Units.}}{{cite web |title=LAW ENFORCEMENT |url=https://www.colt.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2024-Law-Enforcement-BiFold.pdf |quote=Colt CR6920-EPR 16" M4 Enhanced Patrol Rifle}}

Rank structure

Uniform

File:DSC3839 (48824814312).jpg

In addition to its distinctive triangular badge, Troopers wear a distinctive uniform for regular patrol duties, which is normally reserved for "Class A" functions in nearby state police forces (Delaware, New York, and Pennsylvania). The uniform originated from Schwarzkopf's time in the U.S. Army Cavalry. The winter uniform consists of a French blue Army-style coat, known as a blouse, with brass buttons, and gold triangular patches, with "N.J." on the right lapel and "S.P." on the left. The blouse is worn over a dress shirt, light blue for sergeants and below, white for lieutenants and above, and a navy blue necktie. Navy blue trousers or riding breeches bearing a gold stripe on each side completes the uniform. During the summer, the blouse is replaced with a long-sleeve blue shirt, while a necktie is still worn. A saucer-shaped hat (as opposed to a Stetson hat in New York and Maryland or the Campaign hat in Delaware and Pennsylvania) is worn, with two straps—one going over the crown, giving the uniform a distinctive, imposing appearance. The NJSP is one of only five state police forces that do not wear a badge on their uniform shirts; the Troopers' badge is only worn on their hat.{{cite book|last=Kidd|first=R. Spencer|date=2012|title=Uniforms of the U.S. State Police & Highway Patrols|publisher=lulu.com|page=11|isbn=978-1-4717-7729-5|oclc=929822564}} For this reason, it is unusual to see a Trooper without his/her cover on. Enlisted Troopers wear their applicable rank on the sleeves while officers wear their rank on shoulder epaulets. Additionally, both winter and summer uniforms are worn with the full Sam Browne belt, if a belt-mounted sidearm is worn, unusual for a North American police agency's patrol uniform due to cited{{where|date=March 2024}} safety concerns.{{citation needed|date=March 2024}} The full Sam Browne belt was adopted by Col. Schwarzkopf, as the belt gave the wearer a proper "brace" (known by General of the Armies John Pershing as the "West Point Brace;" appropriate at the time since Pershing and Schwarzkopf were both graduates).Stone, Rebecca. "Sam Browne and Beyond: A Look at Duty Belts." Police Magazine, November 2000, https://www.police1.com/police-products/duty-gear/articles/sam-browne-and-beyond-a-look-at-duty-belts-719BDvHDR1WpM1Bp/. Accessed 24 September 2022.State of New Jersey Office of the Attorney General. "History: 1920's-The History Begins." New Jersey State Police, State of New Jersey, 2022, https://nj.gov/njsp/about/history/1920s.shtml. Accessed 24 September 2022.

Current organization

File:New Jersey State Police cars.jpg}}]]

The current organization of the New Jersey State Police is:[http://www.njsp.org/divorg/index.html NJSP Division Organization]

  • Office of the Superintendent, which is currently held by Colonel Patrick A. Callahan.njsp.org
  • Administration Branch, which consists of the Administration Section, Information Technology Section, and the Division Human Resources Section
  • Homeland Security Branch, which consists of the Emergency Management Section and the Special Operations Section.
  • The Investigations Branch which consists of the Intelligence Section and the Special Investigations Section
  • The Operations Branch, which consists of Field Operations Sections which are further divided into the following four troops:[http://www.njsp.org/about/roadstations.html Road Stations and Troops]
  • Troop A: Southern New Jersey (including the Atlantic City Expressway)
  • Troop B: Northern New Jersey
  • Troop C: Central New Jersey
  • Troop D: New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway

This department is a member of the New York-New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force.New York-New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force official web site accessed

Line of duty deaths

As of 2025, 81 officers of the NJSP have been killed in the line of duty.{{Cite web |title=New Jersey State Police, NJ |url=https://www.odmp.org/agency/2736-new-jersey-state-police-new-jersey |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=The Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP)}}

Demographics

As of 2007, the demographics of the New Jersey State Police was as follows:[http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/pub/pdf/lemas00.pdf Law Enforcement Management and Administrative Statistics, 2000: Data for Individual State and Local Agencies with 100 or More Officers] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060927025451/http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/pub/pdf/lemas00.pdf |date=2006-09-27 }}, United States Department of Justice, March 2004. Accessed May 19, 2007.

  • Male: 97%
  • Female: 3%
  • White: 85%
  • African-American/Black: 8%
  • Hispanic: 5%
  • Asian: 1%
  • Native American: 1%

Law enforcement accreditation

The New Jersey State Police, as of July 2007, received a coveted law enforcement accreditation after more than a year of intense reviews and grading. The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) bestowed the honor at a meeting of their commissioners in Montreal, Quebec.{{cite press release |title=NJ State Police Awarded National Accreditation |url=http://njsp.org/news/pr072807 |publisher=Office of Public Information, New Jersey State Police |date=28 July 2007 |access-date=13 December 2019}}

The award is the culmination of a two-year process that included on-site inspections from a national team representing the commission. Assessors examined files, conducted panel interviews of staff members, inspected facilities, and performed ride-a-longs with troopers.

Accreditation brings several significant benefits. Primarily, it improves public safety services by comparing the New Jersey State Police to the best procedures currently used by law enforcement and raising any non-compliant areas up to those standards. Additionally, it creates accountability to a respected benchmarking group that knows the work of modern policing. Public trust is bolstered by way of the transparency involved in the whole CALEA accreditation process.

See also

References

{{Reflist}}

{{cite web

| title =The 20s History Begins

| publisher =New Jersey State Police

| url =http://www.njsp.org/about/20s.html#top

| access-date = December 21, 2006

}}

{{cite web

| title =Core Functions

| publisher =New Jersey State Police

| url =http://www.njsp.org/about/functions.html

| access-date =December 21, 2006

| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20151230172141/http://www.njsp.org/about/functions.html

| archive-date =December 30, 2015

| url-status =dead

}}

{{cite web

| title =General Orders

| publisher =New Jersey State Police

| url =http://www.state.nj.us/njsp/about/genorder_1.html

| access-date = December 21, 2006

}}

{{cite web

| title =History of the Badge

| publisher =New Jersey State Police

| url =http://www.njsp.org/about/badge.html

| access-date = December 21, 2006

}}

{{cite web

| title =Academy

| publisher =New Jersey State Police

| url =http://www.njsp.org/recruit/academy.html

| access-date = December 21, 2006

}}

{{cite web

| title =NJ State Police Awarded National Accreditation

| publisher =New Jersey State Police

| url =http://njsp.org/news/pr072807.html

| access-date = August 17, 2007

}}

{{cite web

| title =CALEA Accreditation Letter

| publisher =New Jersey State Police

| url =http://njsp.org/news/pdf/pr072807-calea-letter.pdf

| access-date = August 17, 2007

}}

{{commons category}}