DOJ Investigation Exposes Constitutional Rights Violations by Trenton Police

Department of Justice emblem on the American flag.

The Justice Department’s investigation reveals widespread constitutional violations by the Trenton Police Department, including excessive force and unlawful stops, costing taxpayers millions in lawsuit settlements.

At a Glance

DOJ finds Trenton Police Department violating Fourth Amendment rights
Excessive force, unlawful stops, searches, and arrests documented
Taxpayers burdened with $7 million in lawsuit settlements since 2021
815 force incidents reported between March 2020 and December 2023
Federal oversight through consent decree possible

Constitutional Rights Violations Exposed

The U.S. Department of Justice has uncovered a pattern of civil rights violations within the Trenton Police Department (TPD) and the City of Trenton, New Jersey. The investigation, which began on October 17, 2023, revealed that TPD officers routinely engaged in conduct that violates the Fourth Amendment, including the use of excessive force and conducting unlawful stops, searches, and arrests without proper legal basis.

The 45-page report detailed numerous instances of constitutional rights violations, with officers frequently making arrests without legal justification and employing unnecessary aggression. Between March 2020 and December 2023, TPD officers reported using force in 815 incidents, including 120 instances of pepper spray deployment and one firearm discharge.

U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey and Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division Find Civil Rights Violations by Trenton Police Department and City of Trenton https://t.co/7xRnCRkwEK

— NJ US Attorney (@USAO_NJ) November 21, 2024

Costly Consequences for Taxpayers

The investigation highlighted the financial burden placed on Trenton’s taxpayers due to the department’s misconduct. Since 2021, the city has paid over $7 million in lawsuit settlements related to police actions. This significant drain on public resources comes at a time when Trenton faces challenges related to poverty, crime, and a limited property tax base due to the presence of numerous state government buildings.

“Police officers must respect people’s civil and constitutional rights and treat people with dignity,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “After an extensive review, we found that police officers in Trenton routinely failed to respect the Fourth Amendment rights of those who call Trenton home. Trenton police stop and search pedestrians and motorists without a legal basis, make illegal arrests and use excessive force without basis. We are committed to the hard work necessary to achieve constitutional policing across the country. By bringing city officials, the police department and the community together, we are confident that we can institute meaningful reforms that remedy the violations uncovered.”

The Trenton Police Department, which consists of approximately 260 sworn officers serving a city of nearly 90,000 people, now faces the prospect of federal oversight through a consent decree. This would make Trenton the second city in New Jersey, after Newark, to enter into a federal agreement aimed at reforming police practices.

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Trenton police have pattern of misconduct including using excessive force and making unlawful stops, Justice Dept. says.

— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) November 21, 2024

Specific Incidents of Misconduct

The DOJ report detailed several alarming incidents that exemplify the pattern of misconduct within the TPD. One case involved the death of a 64-year-old man who was pepper-sprayed during an arrest attempt for his son, who was involved in a domestic incident. Another incident highlighted the use of excessive force against an unarmed 16-year-old student, which resulted in the student’s transfer to another school due to fear.

“The people of Trenton deserve nothing less than fair and constitutional policing,” Sellinger said. “When police stop someone in Trenton, our investigation found that all too often they violated the constitutional rights of those they stopped, sometimes with tragic consequences.”

Additionally, the report cited an incident where a Black woman was wrongfully stopped and threatened with pepper spray, despite no drugs being found. These cases underscore the urgent need for comprehensive reforms within the department to address racial bias and excessive use of force.

Path Forward: Reforms and Community Engagement

In response to these findings, the Justice Department has proposed more than two dozen recommendations for remedial action. The city and TPD have expressed cooperation with the investigation and a willingness to implement the recommended reforms. The DOJ plans to conduct community outreach to gather input on remedies to address the findings, emphasizing the importance of rebuilding public trust and ensuring effective crime-fighting while respecting constitutional rights.

“For too long, the residents of Trenton have felt afraid of the police, rather than protected by them,” U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger for the District of New Jersey. “The use of excessive force and unconstitutional stops, searches and arrests, sometimes with tragic consequences, have eroded public trust and undermined public safety. Today’s findings are the first step in achieving the reforms needed to rebuild public trust, so that the Trenton Police Department can effectively fight crime and keep residents safe, while respecting the constitutional rights of each and every person.”

As Trenton faces the challenge of reforming its police department, the city’s leadership and community members must work together to ensure that constitutional policing becomes the norm, not the exception. The road to rebuilding trust between law enforcement and the community will be long, but it is essential for the safety and well-being of all Trenton residents.