United States v. City of Newark: Consent Decree

The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey and the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice (collectively “the DOJ”) issued a report in July 2014 finding a pattern and practice of unconstitutional policing by the Newark Police Department and reached an agreement in principle with the City of Newark to undertake wide-ranging reforms within the Police Department. On March 30, 2016, in conjunction with the filing by the DOJ and the City of the fully negotiated consent decree in Newark federal court. On May 5, 2016, the court approved the monitor and entered the consent decree. A consent decree was agreed upon to ensure Newark Police Department (NPD) move towards achieving effective community engagement through mandatory training of officers at all levels on community policing, problem-oriented policing methods, and bias-free policing. Part of the consent decree focuses on implementing policy for data collection and maintenance, including an annual survey of the Newark community's experience with and perceptions of NPD and public safety.