City Council Supports Bill To Open Police Disciplinary Records

JERSEY CITY, NJ — The Jersey City Municipal Council signed a resolution on April 15 to support a bill in the New Jersey legislature that would make police disciplinary records accessible to the public.

The bill is meant to increase transparency and trust between the police and civilian community. The Jersey City resolution notes that New Jersey lags behind states like Florida, Colorado, Alabama, and New York, in the police internal affairs process and with police disciplinary records.

"Shielding police disciplinary records from the public is one action that significantly reduces trust in law enforcement and causes the community to believe that misconduct is being swept under the rug," reads the resolution.

All council members voted in favor of the resolution except for Councilman Richard Boggiano, who abstained since he is a retired police officer.

The full resolution can be found online.