In a recent report, the New Jersey Office of the State Comptroller launched an indictment of Street Cop Training, a private organization offering police training programs. The report paints a concerning picture of a training environment permeated by offensive behavior, discriminatory rhetoric, and the promotion of tactics that could undermine constitutional rights and exacerbate police-community relations.
The report details numerous instances of offensive and discriminatory language used by Street Cop instructors. Trainers allegedly made derogatory remarks towards women, people of color, and other marginalized groups, fostering a hostile and exclusionary atmosphere. This not only raises concerns about professionalism and ethical conduct but also suggests a training culture that could contribute to biased policing practices.
The most alarming aspect of the report is the revelation that Street Cop may be instructing officers in tactics that violate constitutional rights. The report cites instances where instructors encouraged insubordination, endorsed questionable traffic stop practices, and promoted techniques that could lead to unlawful and discriminatory law enforcement actions. This has sparked outrage and concerns about the potential consequences for both officers and the communities they serve.
The New Jersey report has triggered a wave of public criticism. The organization has faced intense pressure from the public and advocacy groups demanding accountability and reform.
Street Cop has of course denied the allegations in the report. They claim the report is based on misrepresentations and exaggerations and maintain that their training programs are ethical and compliant with all legal requirements.
My former employer, Washington County Sheriff's Office, may no longer support sending deputies to their training sessions. That's what my former sergeant, who has long been skeptical of their training, told me recently.
For my part, I've found the organization courses expensive and prefer my $100/year Police One Academy subscription instead of a 300 to $500 single course. I do like, however, to listen to their podcast.
