New Jersey AG wants to change state’s police ‘Use of Force’ policy; seeks public comment

New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal wants to change the state’s police “Use of Force” policy.

News 12 Staff

Jun 13, 2020, 2:11 AM

Updated 1,504 days ago

Share:

New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal wants to change the state’s police “Use of Force” policy.
The plan comes after two incidents with police over the past two months, along with a nationwide discussion about police brutality.
In New Jersey, a white New Jersey state trooper shot and killed a black man on the Garden State Parkway in Bass River after the man was being pulled over for speeding. During the stop, his car broke down. After sitting in the police cruise while waiting for a tow truck, Maurice Gordon got out and started to struggle with the trooper. Gordon was shot six times during the struggle.
The Camden County Prosecutor’s Office released bodycam footage from a pepper-spraying incident in Woodlynne. Officer Ryan Dubiel is seen spraying two people unprovoked. He is facing charges.
Under the current state protocols, police can use force only when someone refuses to comply or makes a threat. Authorities say that neither bar was met during the Camden County incident
Part of Grewal’s new plan involves launching an online portal for public comment. His office will be organizing community listening sessions in all 21 counties.
“The Use of Force policy affects everyone, and so everyone should have the opportunity to weigh in on its revisions,” Grewal said in a statement. “We want to hear from a board cross-section of our state.”
Grewal said that he especially wants to hear from people who have had negative experiences with law enforcement officers “because we are committed to getting this right.”
Photos: Protests Across New Jersey
undefined

The public portal will accept submissions through Aug. 1. Grewal is encouraging people to discuss when they feel it is acceptable to use less-than-lethal uses of force - including rubber bullets and netting, and other aspects of improving policing in New Jersey.
This would be the first time that New Jersey’s Use of Force policy would be updated in 20 years. Grewal says that the goal is to have more transparency from law enforcement.
Grewal will also host an online forum on June 24 to discuss possible revisions to the policy.


More from News 12
2:10
Boar’s Head deli meat recalled for potential listeria contamination

Boar’s Head deli meat recalled for potential listeria contamination

2:16
Fire at Fair Lawn strip mall destroys multiple businesses, including popular Zadies Bakery

Fire at Fair Lawn strip mall destroys multiple businesses, including popular Zadies Bakery

3:00
Beautiful weekend ahead for New Jersey with sunny skies and warm temperatures

Beautiful weekend ahead for New Jersey with sunny skies and warm temperatures

1:43
Lead found on Keyport beach not ‘urgent risk’ to public health, no need to close beach

Lead found on Keyport beach not ‘urgent risk’ to public health, no need to close beach

0:29
Man who pleaded guilty to attacking Jewish men sentenced to 30 years on terror charges

Man who pleaded guilty to attacking Jewish men sentenced to 30 years on terror charges

0:55
EPA completes Phase 1 of superfund site cleanup at Unimatic Manufacturing site in Fairfield

EPA completes Phase 1 of superfund site cleanup at Unimatic Manufacturing site in Fairfield

0:20
West New York school named for Sen. Menendez to revert to original name

West New York school named for Sen. Menendez to revert to original name

0:30
Attorney general: NJ state trooper ‘inexcusably crossed the line,’ admits to punching handcuffed woman in the face in 2022

Attorney general: NJ state trooper ‘inexcusably crossed the line,’ admits to punching handcuffed woman in the face in 2022

0:15
East Brunswick police: Bicyclist killed in Route 18 crash

East Brunswick police: Bicyclist killed in Route 18 crash

0:30
No one injured in Kenilworth house fire

No one injured in Kenilworth house fire

1:04
Attorney general releases body camera footage of fatal Hamilton police-involved shooting

Attorney general releases body camera footage of fatal Hamilton police-involved shooting

0:15
Part of Manchester’s Harry Wright Lake closed due to high levels of fecal bacteria

Part of Manchester’s Harry Wright Lake closed due to high levels of fecal bacteria

0:23
2 dead in Maine plane crash after leaving New Jersey airport

2 dead in Maine plane crash after leaving New Jersey airport

0:18
$1 million lottery ticket won from $20 scratch-off at North Wildwood Wawa

$1 million lottery ticket won from $20 scratch-off at North Wildwood Wawa

1:59
Paws & Pals: Felicity now up for adoption at Associated Humane Societies

Paws & Pals: Felicity now up for adoption at Associated Humane Societies

1:17
Gov. Murphy discusses potential Menendez replacement on ‘Ask Gov. Murphy’

Gov. Murphy discusses potential Menendez replacement on ‘Ask Gov. Murphy’

0:40
State, federal lawmakers introduce legislation to shorten funding gap for World Trade Center Health Program

State, federal lawmakers introduce legislation to shorten funding gap for World Trade Center Health Program

0:33
New Jersey now has 21 towns where starter homes cost more than $1 million

New Jersey now has 21 towns where starter homes cost more than $1 million

0:48
Jersey Proud: Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis first performed together 78 years ago in Atlantic City

Jersey Proud: Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis first performed together 78 years ago in Atlantic City

1:47
Police: 3 people hospitalized as bee swarm takes over Paramus neighborhood

Police: 3 people hospitalized as bee swarm takes over Paramus neighborhood