TRENTON — As the city and police administrators are still digesting the findings of a Department of Justice report that found a pattern of unconstitutional policing, many in the community are speaking out and hoping to make this report the first step in a long process of making Trenton a safer place to live. The DoJ, along with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey announced Thursday that a year-long investigation into the Trenton Police Department found a pattern and practice of unconstitutional policing where officers violated the Fourth Amendment. The report, a 45-page document, included numerous examples and also provided recommendations for increased training, supervision, and accountability. Trenton NAACP President, Austin Edwards, Esq., said the report was a good step, but flawed because the recommendations don’t go far enough. Austin Edwards, Esq. speaks at a press conference hosted by the NAACP Trenton Branch on the front steps of City Hall in February.(John Berry/The Trentonian) “Across the board, the answer is not more training,” Edwards told The Trentonian. “It’s the only career where you’re allowed to police yourselves. They’ve been given a blank check and we have to cash that, we need to call it due.” “I’m glad the investigation happened,” Edwards said. “These facts are just a few of hundreds of stories.” He said shedding light on these cases gives regular citizens the chance to have some kind of recourse, and also let people know they’re not alone, giving legitimacy to their own complaints and experiences with police in Trenton. “It gave voice to so many voiceless who have been saying this for generations,” Edwards said. As for recommendations, community input and interaction will be key. “We’re hoping that TPD is willing to work with the community to improve,” Edwards said. Civilian Review Boards, residency requirements that are more than just on paper, supporting community groups like Trenton Street Team, and pushing for more support and accountability from the state level are among the ideas Edwards supports. Edwards will be hosting a press conference at noon on Monday with the Trenton Branch of the NAACP outside of TPD headquarters, 225 N. Clinton Ave. to discuss the NAACP’s official response to the investigation and the findings. ******* One of the voices who led the call for investigating the practices of Trenton’s Police Department was The Rev. Dr. Charles Boyer of Mt. Zion AME Church in Trenton. Boyer is also the Executive Director of Salvation and Social Justice. The group released the following statement from him after the report on the investigation was released: Salvation and Social Justice commends US Attorney Philip Sellinger, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke and the dedicated team at the DOJ for their investigation into the conduct and practices of the Trenton Police Department. The findings of this investigation while damning and alarming do not come as a surprise. This report merely memorializes on paper the harsh realities that too many Trenton residents have had to endure for years. The Rev. Charles Boyer of Greater Mount Zion AME in Trenton speaks at a press conference hosted by the NAACP Trenton Branch on the front steps of City Hall in February.(John Berry/The Trentonian) It’s important to recall how we got to this point. It was September of 2023, when SandSJ hosted a town hall with US Attorney Sellinger at Greater Mount Zion  A.M.E. Church, organizing a mass showing of community members and advocate partners who shared the needs and concerns of the people of Trenton. Overwhelmingly what we heard were harrowing accounts describing misconduct, violence, oversurveillance and unjust arrests of Black residents at the hands of Trenton police department. Just a month later, the investigation was launched thanks to the courage and resolve of the people who showed up to that town hall. One year later, with the release of these findings, we stand firm in that resolve to end this culture of police abuse in our communities through substantive policy change. If we are serious about reforming a system that is rooted in unjust targeting and brutalization of Black communities, then we must start by: Establishing Civilian Complaint Review Boards (CCRB) through Trenton local ordinance.  These boards will provide necessary oversight and accountability, ensuring that the voices of our community members are heard and that their concerns are addressed effectively. Ensuring that the Federal Monitor, appointed to oversee the court order’s reforms to the TPD policies as a result of this investigation, establishes a team that includes trusted community and subject matter experts. Increasing state, county, and municipal funding of community-led crisis response teams as an alternative to police in the city of Trenton. The findings in this investigation further confirm that the best way to ensure the health and safety of Trenton residents is to minimize the police footprint in the city and invest in community-led models of public safety. Enacting Senate Bill 2348 codifying the Attorney General’s Use of Force Directive. With an upcoming Trump administration on the horizon, Black communities will have limited recourse in facing state sanctioned violence as Trump has vowed to stop the DOJ and FBI from investigating police departments who routinely violate civil rights. Codifying the Use of Force Directive would significantly strengthen protections against police use of force beyond this current administration and what has become an increasingly hostile federal government. SandSJ will continue to engage the community for feedback, ensuring that the voices of the directly impacted are centered as we continue to fight for the liberation of our communities in 2025 and beyond. ******* Isles Inc. also released a statement from CEO Sean Jackson: Today, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey announced the results of an ongoing investigation in which they found that Trenton and Trenton Police Department engaged in conduct that deprives people of their rights under the U.S. Constitution.  We want to thank the US Attorney’s office for their thorough investigation. All members of the community have a right to be protected in appropriate ways, and Isles vigorously opposes the use of inappropriate force and unlawful practices. Sean Jackson, CEO of Isles, speaks at a press conference about the city’s program to help deal with lead contamination.(John Berry/The Trentonian) We know that safety is critical in our city and that community members and grassroot organizations have an essential role in ensuring this. Public safety is all our responsibility, and we can effectively address safety concerns together. Isles will continue to work with the Street Teams and other committed organizations to ensure community members are part of the solution and have a platform from which they can speak and be heard. We encourage the Trenton Police Department to work collaboratively and swiftly to implement remedial measures and look forward to ensuring our community members are appropriately supported.