A Proposal Would Have The State, Rather Than The County, Probe Fatal Police Shootings In NJ

by KYW's David Madden

(TRENTON, NJ) -- Legislation is being introduced in New Jersey that would mandate an independent probe of any police related shooting that ends in death.
Several civil rights leaders joined elected officials in unveiling the proposal, among them Richard Smith, President of the New Jersey NAACP. "This is not a white law. It's not a black law. It's not a Hispanic law. It's a people law," Smith told KYW Newsradio.

It's also a plan they've pursued for years while, at the same time, reaching out to law enforcement leaders throughout the state to improve relations. Under the legislation proposed by three members of the state senate, the Attorney General would take the leading investigative role and present evidence to a grand jury. Any trial would take place outside the county where the incident occurred. Current law gives a county prosecutor the responsibility to handle police involved shootings.

"I think it takes that responsibility and any chance of a conflict of interest out of local municipalities, putting it in someone's hands that is independent," Smith said.

Given the recent shootings in Baton Rouge, St. Paul and Dallas, he hopes politicians on both sides of the aisle in Trenton can see the need to get this done and soon.