Investigation Into Bridgewater's Police Handling Of Mall Fight Continues 2 Months Later

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — An investigation into Bridgewater Police's handling of a teen mall fight that raised questions of racial disparity continues two months later.

The timeline to complete the investigation was initially said to take 45 days. That deadline has passed.

When asked about an update on the investigation, the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office told Patch:

"All media inquiries into the status of this investigation should be directed to the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office as they are reviewing the investigation conducted thus far. The Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office is awaiting direction from that Office."

When Patch reached out to the Office of Attorney General (OAG) and asked if an extension was issued for the investigation and if so, why an extension was issued? The OAG told Patch:

"The Office of Public Integrity and Accountability within the Attorney General's Office is working closely with the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office (SCPO), which is conducting this investigation. The SPCO is following the Attorney General's Office's strict guidelines and procedures for investigating possible misconduct, and to ensure transparency and accountability.

The Attorney General’s Office is committed to ensuring thorough, fair, and independent investigations of police use-of-force incidents and police conduct. The investigation is ongoing and no further information is being released at this time."

On Feb. 14, Police Chief Paul Payne said he requested that the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office assist Bridgewater in an internal affairs investigation that is strictly adhering to the New Jersey Attorney General's Internal Affairs Directive.

Currently, the two officers involved in the incident are "currently not on the road," Payne previously said.

A video began circulating following a fight between a light-skinned teen and a Black teen at the Bridgewater Commons mall on Feb. 12. The video shows township police officers kneeling on and handcuffing the Black teen while the light-skinned teen is sitting on a couch. Read More: Cops Criticized After Stopping Teen Fight At Bridgewater Mall

Since then Murphy has said he was "deeply disturbed" by the video and the New Jersey chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, a civil rights organization, is calling for the Bridgewater officers involved to be immediately removed from the police force pending an investigation.

Several marches by activists have since been held calling for justice for Z'Kye Husain.

Nationally known civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who has handled cases involving George Floyd, Trayvon Martin, and Breonna Taylor, has been retained by the family of the Black 8th grader handcuffed by Bridgewater Township Police following a mall fight. Read More: George Floyd Family Attorney Hired By Black Teen In NJ Mall Fight

Crump and Husain's family also held a press conference at the township. Crump said his group is contemplating filing a federal civil rights lawsuit based on "his fourth amendment rights being infringed upon based on unreasonable search and seizure. And obviously equal protection." Read More: Black Activists Halt Rally For Teen Cuffed At Bridgewater Mall

On March 3, Bridgewater held a Community Conversation with community officials and leaders to hear from the public about the incident. Read More: Bridgewater To Turn Viral Mall Video Into Racial Justice Lesson

On April 4, Bridgewater hired former Somerset County Prosecutor Michael Robertson to help the township deal with the outcome of an investigation. Read More: Bridgewater Hires Former Prosecutor To Help With Police Mall Incident

The council unanimously voted to award a contract to Robertson during the April 4 meeting for a period of one year with a cost likely exceeding $17,500 and no more than $25,000.

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