Racial Bias In NJ Traffic Stops To Be Addressed, Attorney General Says

NEW JERSEY — State police are under scrutiny as New Jersey’s top cop seeks to reduce what he calls “concerning racial and ethnic disparities” in troopers’ traffic enforcement actions.

A study commissioned by the Attorney General’s Office found that between 2009 and 2021, the percentage of Black and Hispanic motorists stopped by state police has increased over time – from 35.34 percent of all motorists stopped by NJSP in 2009 to 46.28 percent in 2021.

Black drivers, in particular, are much more likely to have their vehicles searched – though they are less likely to actually possess evidence, according to AG Matthew J. Platkin’s office.

A new pilot program will involve all New Jersey State Police officers who regularly conduct motor vehicle enforcement actions, said Platkin on Tuesday.

The program has three purposes: to reduce the number of fatal traffic crashes, increase officer and roadway safety, and work to “reduce concerning racial and ethnic disparities identified in motor vehicle enforcement actions taken by the New Jersey State Police.”

Platkin said his office’s Department of Law and Public Safety is working with independent researchers “to develop interventions that will be piloted throughout the NJSP and across the state in coming months.” The team will be lead by Dr. Matthew B. Ross, who conducted the independent analysis of more than 6 million traffic stops for the Attorney General’s office.

Ross’s study shows that there is a “significant” racial disparity, not only for traffic stops, but for the actions a trooper takes after the stop – searching the vehicle, removing occupants from the vehicle, arresting them, or using force against them. You can read a preliminary copy of the report, released July 7, at this link.

“It is unacceptable for the actions of law enforcement to have a disparate impact on communities of color,” said Platkin. “All New Jersey residents and visitors to this great state deserve to be treated equally and fairly – especially by people in positions of authority sworn to serve the public. Whether the result of implicit bias, systemic faults in policies, or something more intentional, whatever the root cause of these disparities, I am committed to righting these wrongs.”

Col. Patrick Callahan, the State Police Superintendent, said this kind of scrutiny and oversight is “rooted in building public trust.” Callahan said he hopes the pilot programs will guide policies and practices “ to minimize, if not eliminate, any disparities in how we serve the public, while also having the additional benefit of improving highway traffic safety.”

“Any steps we take to remove barriers to police accountability and transparency can only serve to strengthen the relationships we have fostered in the communities we have taken an oath to serve and protect,” Callahan said.

Platkin’s office said the pilot program will focus on different goals in different parts of the state police system.

“For example, some members will be directed to focus all enforcement efforts on the violations most likely to lead to fatal and serious motor vehicle crashes, and refrain from the enforcement of minor infractions absent a contemporaneous report of justification for same – while other members may undergo an audit of motor vehicle stops to examine their civilian interactions,” Platkin said. “The different interventions will be analyzed independently by the research team on an ongoing basis.”