TRENTON
-- Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa announced
today that his office has taken steps to improve
law enforcement coordination and address concerns
expressed by Muslim community leaders following
a three-month fact-finding review of intelligence-gathering
conducted by the New York Police Department
(NYPD) in New Jersey. The fact-finding review,
which is on-going, has revealed no evidence
to date that NYPD’s activities in the
state violated New Jersey civil or criminal
laws.
Among
the steps taken by the Office of the Attorney
General are the following:
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An agreement has been reached to strengthen
the lines of communication with NYPD concerning
investigative activities in New Jersey
related to counter-terrorism. New Jersey
law enforcement officials will meet with
NYPD on a regular basis to exchange information
concerning counter-terrorism intelligence
and operations.
-
Effective immediately, by virtue of an
Attorney General’s Directive issued
today, New Jersey law enforcement agencies
have formalized notification protocols
to follow when they learn of law enforcement
activity being conducted by out-of-state
police agencies within their jurisdictions.
For counter-terrorism-related matters,
the Directive establishes reporting protocols
to designated personnel at the New Jersey
State Police Counter-Terrorism Bureau
and the Office of Homeland Security and
Preparedness, for further coordination
with the Joint Terrorism Task Force headed
by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
-
The Attorney General’s Office will
establish a Muslim outreach committee
in order to enhance communication and
encourage a greater understanding regarding
issues of importance to both law enforcement
and the Muslim community.
The
fact-finding review conducted by the Office
of the Attorney General included gathering
information from individuals within the
ranks of law enforcement in New Jersey,
New York, and other states, as well as from
civilians within the Muslim and other communities
in New Jersey. The Office of the Attorney
General will continue to receive and assess
information relevant to the conduct at issue
and cooperate with any other state or federal
law enforcement agencies engaged in reviewing
those matters.
Attorney General Chiesa announced the results
of the fact-finding review to date after
meeting earlier today with leaders from
New Jersey’s Muslim community at the
Hughes Justice Complex in Trenton. The Attorney
General explained that while, as a routine
matter, law enforcement in New Jersey effectively
coordinates operations to de-conflict and
ensure operational safety with out-of-state
law enforcement agencies, the Directive
issued today will bring consistency to those
reporting mechanisms based on the nature
and scope of the underlying law enforcement
activity. He also indicated that the Directive,
as well as regular meetings with the NYPD,
will enable better, and more immediate,
coordination of information for purposes
of conducting counter-terrorism operations.
Recognizing the unique challenges of counter-terrorism
intelligence gathering and investigations,
while understanding the need to safeguard
the public’s confidence in law enforcement’s
respect for fundamental civil liberties,
Attorney General Chiesa said, “We
remain committed to striking the appropriate
balance of ensuring the safety of our citizens
through vigilance in fighting terrorism,
while not undermining the public’s
confidence in how we approach that mission.”
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