Freehold Boro Council Will Review Police Use Of Force Policies

FREEHOLD, NJ – The Freehold Borough Council passed a resolution Monday evening, pledging to review and reform the township’s policy on police force. The council also pledged to listen to constituents and engage with the community by seeking out a diverse range of input, experiences and stories.

The effort to review these policing policies is an outgrowth of the nationwide protests surrounding the death of George Floyd while he was in police custody. Floyd’s passing – which occurred exactly three weeks before the Monday resolution – has stirred up a significant dialogue about racism and the use of force by police in America.

“The Borough of Freehold pledges to continue to assess all of its laws and policies and engage the community at large in moving forward to eradicate systemic racism,” the resolution reads.

In addition, the committee pledged to work with the police department, community leaders and residents to review police use of force policies, provide feedback on existing action and ultimately reform the community’s police use of force policies ‘as necessary’.

“This is not an indictment of all police officers, but just those that express a blatant disregard for their oath and human decency towards people of color,” the resolution reads. “The governing body of the Borough of Freehold stands against racism in any form and encourages the free and open exchange of ideas and stories.”

To read the committee’s entire resolution, click here.