TRENTON – Senator Ronald L. Rice today issued the following statement announcing his call for a Senate hearing on the issue of police pursuits:
"During the last ten years, high speed police pursuits have killed more than 55 people in New Jersey.
They have injured more than 2,500, with almost half of those victims being cops themselves or innocent people in the wrong place at the wrong time.
In addition, since 2009, although African Americans make up only 15 percent of New Jersey’s population, they are victim to at least 65 percent of all police chase fatalities, tarnishing our state with the worst racial disparity in the nation.
In my own City of Newark, the last ten years have seen13 killed – and only four of those souls were actually in the cars being pursued.
All the victims were Black and one was a just a little boy. In these instances, the victims happened to be Black. However, police chases result in deaths regardless of color, age or neighborhood.
New Jersey already has very detailed rules for police pursuits but these statistics necessitate further examination of our law enforcement practices so that the requirements for engagement are precisely defined and the instances of unnecessary high speed pursuits are eliminated.
As a former law enforcement professional, I am keenly aware of the need to establish a balance between apprehending violent criminals and keeping the general public and police officers safe.
For that reason, I have submitted a letter to Senate President Steve Sweeney and Law and Public Safety Committee Chair Linda Greenstein, respectfully requesting a Senate hearing to gather information and evaluate best practices.
Considering New Jersey’s dismal record with racial disparity in high speed pursuits, I have asked that the hearing enjoin both the New Jersey Legislative Black and Latino Caucuses for their insight and participation.
Most chases are initiated by simple traffic violations, with no connection to violent crimes or criminal arrests and they expose municipalities to insurance liability nightmares. That is reason enough to take a closer look.
But most importantly, if we can keep our towns and cities safer and spare the life of one passerby or one cop, it is more than worth our effort to conduct these hearings for the benefit of every resident in New Jersey".