Already under fire for who they stop, New Jersey State Police troopers routinely give a pass during traffic stops to drivers who touted their connection to law enforcement, even in cases of dangerous offenses like drunk driving, according to a new report released by the New Jersey Office of the State Comptroller.
The comptroller’s office investigators examined 501 state police stops that ended with no enforcement action from a 10-day period in late 2022. Body-camera footage from those stops repeatedly showed motorists boldly sharing courtesy cards from law enforcement organizations and touting police connections, and troopers often responding with some version of “you’re good.”
The comptroller’s report notes the troopers’ deference often came with inherent racial discrimination: In the 87 instances where drivers flashed a courtesy card, 69 were presented by white drivers.
Kevin Walsh, the acting state comptroller, said the findings show a two-tiered system of justice that is unethical and fundamentally unfair.
“We released this report because we think its important that the public, the governor, the attorney general and the colonel of the state police, as well as legislators who are responsible for making our laws, know just how much nepotism and favoritism play a roll in policing in New Jersey,” Walsh said at a press briefing on Wednesday.
“This kind of preferential treatment isn’t just unfair, it’s dangerous,” he said. “It undermines the idea that everyone should be treated equally under the law, and puts everyone on the road at risk.”
