New Jersey Troopers Say They Are Afraid to Testify
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Officer Marc Stephens knew that if he testified at today’s public hearings about racial discrimination within the New Jersey State Police he might face retaliation from a handful of fellow officers or low-level supervisors. But Mr. Stephens was stunned when he received a written notice on Friday from the highest official in the state police, the acting superintendent, warning that he could face disciplinary action if his statements violated the agency’s strict code regulating officers’ public statements. The letter, which was accompanied by a copy of the state police guidelines prohibiting officers from publicly discussing anything from confidential investigations to such generic topics as patrol methods, was delivered by an Internal Affairs officer, an act that Mr. Stephens called a ”Gestapo-like tactic” to intimidate him into silence. ”When Internal Affairs comes for you, it’s always bad news,” Mr. Stephens said today during his testimony at the New Jersey State House. ”I’m afraid to tell the story I want to tell. I’m afraid for me and my family. I ask and beg for your help.” More : query.nytimes.com |