NJ Traffic Stop Over Hoodie Sparks Discrimination Investigation

JACKSON, NJ — Video of a traffic stop in Jackson of a Black man has prompted a discrimination investigation of Jackson Township police officers after the officers told the man he was stopped because he was wearing a hoodie in 80-degree weather.

The incident happened June 2, according to Jamaal Holmes, who shared the video of the 4-minute traffic stop on his Facebook page, where he goes by ViBin Mall. The video can be seen at the bottom of this article.

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"The Jackson Township Police Department takes all allegations of discrimination seriously," Police Chief Mary Nelson said in a statement on the department's Facebook page. "We are aware of the concerns that have been raised and are reviewing the matter in accordance with our policies and procedures. A thorough and impartial review will be conducted to ensure all relevant facts and circumstances are considered."

Holmes, 34, said he had been sitting in his car on the phone in the parking lot of his apartment complex when the police officers drove past his car. After he hung up, Holmes left the apartment complex and the police officers followed him for about three miles before pulling him over, he wrote.

In the recording, Holmes asks the officers why he was being pulled over.

"When we drove by the Muse, I was a little concerned, it looked like you were reaching down, hiding your face. You're wearing a sweatshirt in 80-degree weather, you got a handicap placard up," one officer says. "There's people complaining in the Muse about people parking in handicap spots," the officer says.

"Was I parked in a handicap spot?" Holmes asks.

"No, I was just wondering if you have any documentation of that. I'm just telling you everything," the officer says.

Holmes had spinal fusion surgery two years ago and has screws and rods in his back, he wrote in the Facebook post.

"What was your reason for stopping me again?" Holmes asks.

"When I was patrolling through the Muse, as soon as we went by you, you reached down like your face from us. This is more to say if everything's all right with you, if you're all good, if everything's fine we'll have you right on your way."

"You're conducting a traffic stop because I looked suspicious when you're patrolling through where I live?" Holmes asks.

Holmes then asks the officers to call a supervisor, and the officers tell him to get out of the car, which he refuses to do until the supervisor arrives.

The officers continue to demand Holmes get out of the car, and he continues to refuse, demanding a supervisor be called. During the back-and-forth they tell him the inspection sticker on his car is expired by two months.

"If you don't step out you're going to get arrested for obstruction," the officer says. "We can just talk behind the car."

The video ends as they pull Holmes out of the car and tell him he is under arrest.

Holmes alleges the officers slammed him up against the car, twisted his arms and crushed his back. At the police department, he said he was allowed to speak to a supervisor, and said he asked "what about my outfit makes me suspicious of committing a crime? He says nothing. So then im questioning, why was I stopped?"

He alleges the officers told the supervisor they stopped Holmes because the inspection sticker was expired.

He was later released as emergency medical technicians prepared to take him to the hospital for evaluation of the screws in his back, he said.

"The supervisor says I'm being released (meanwhile was never booked, printed nor photographed for why I was 'arrested') and will recieve a summons in the mail," Holmes said.

"We encourage anyone who may have information regarding this incident to contact the Jackson Township Police Department so that it may be included in our review," she said. "The Jackson Township Police Department remains committed to professionalism, accountability, and maintaining the trust of the community we serve."

Holmes said he was not speaking with reporters under his attorney's advice.

In the summer of 2020, Holmes was charged with simple assault after an altercation during a Black Lives Matter march on the boardwalk in Seaside Heights. The charge was later dropped after videos showed the alleged victim had initiated the incident by screaming at Holmes and approaching him first.