Civilian Police Review Boards One Step Closer to Reality in NJ

Police brutality, racial injustices, defunding of police departments and calls for social justice reforms are all things we have been hearing about since the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis.  Another demand by protestors, black and white alike, is for the creation of civilian police review boards.

Well, here in New Jersey that demand is one step closer to becoming a reality after Monday morning’s passage of proposed legislation out of committee by Hudson County Assemblywoman Angela McKnight (D – District 31).  The Assembly Community Development and Affairs Committee cleared bill (A-4272) which would create a civilian review board in every municipality in the state to review each complaint against police officers.

In those municipalities that have State Police serve in the role of the municipal police force, the civilian review board would review and investigate complaints against members of the State Police serving in that capacity within the municipality.

“The rise in fatalities of men and women in police custody happening around the country has left communities in despair, feeling targeted and on the wrong side of justice,” said McKnight. “When we talk about restoring community and police relations, the involvement of community member’s in the dialogue that directly affects their neighborhoods and the actions taken by police in their communities is now critical to maintaining social justice. This is about fostering transparency, fairness, and equality in justice served. It will do more to nurture positive relations in future between law enforcement and the communities they serve.”

Under McKnight’s proposed bill, civilian review boards would be made up of seven members who are appointed by the mayor or other chief executive officer in the municipality.  The appointees must have the consent of the town’s governing body as well.

In 2019, Newark established a civilian police review board after federal authorities learned that there was excessive police abuse within the department.