WHEREAS, the practice of racial profiling offends the interests of all citizens in being treated fairly, impartially, and justly and, is, therefore, contrary to fundamental notions of fairness and respect for individual civil rights; and

WHEREAS, the practice of racial profiling undermines the confidence of the citizens of this State that the New Jersey State Police and other law enforcement agencies are enforcing laws in a fair, impartial and evenhanded manner; and

WHEREAS, it is imperative to ensure that civil rights are not abridged and to restore public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the law enforcement community by taking steps to eradicate all forms of racial profiling by any law enforcement agency operating under the laws of this State; and

WHEREAS, it is vitally important that, in addition to the measures already being taken to end the practice of racial profiling, all New Jerseyans work together to forge a stronger, more positive and cooperative relationship between New Jersey's law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve; and

WHEREAS, in order to foster an environment that will facilitate the eradication of the practice of racial profiling, it is appropriate to convene a Statewide summit to study the state of police and community relations in New Jersey, including the practice of racial profiling, and to establish an Institute to explore "Policing in a Modern Democratic Society" at the Graduate School of Criminal Justice at Rutgers, the State University;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD T. DiFRANCESCO, Acting Governor of the State of New Jersey, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and by the Statutes of this State, do hereby INSTRUCT and DIRECT:

1. The Attorney General shall convene, within 120 days following the issuance of this Executive Order, a Statewide

Summit of law enforcement executives and community leaders to examine the practice of racial profiling, and to review those efforts being made by the New Jersey State Police and the Office of State Police Affairs, other law enforcement agencies in New Jersey, law enforcement executives from other jurisdictions throughout the United States, and scholars and other experts in the field to address the practice of racial profiling and otherwise to enhance the relationship between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve.

2. There is hereby established in the Graduate School of Criminal Justice at Rutgers, The State University, an Institute whose mission shall be to explore "Policing in a Modern Democratic Society." As its first project, the Institute shall examine the issue of racial profiling and consider how law enforcement can develop effective partnerships with New Jersey's diverse communities to ensure the protection of civil rights and public safety. In so doing, the Institute shall identify the expectations of the community and responsibilities of law enforcement, and determine the means by which law enforcement public policymakers can understand these expectations and translate them into public safety strategies that are effective, comply with local mandates and are acceptable to the community.

Toward this end, the Institute shall assist the Attorney General with the Statewide Summit and thereafter convene a series of workshops, seminars and meetings, as may be appropriate, for members of law enforcement and the community in order to identify the prevalent issues and develop strategies to deal effectively with those issues. The Institute shall engage in research and utilize the resources of the University to work with several communities in a "laboratory" setting to implement the strategies developed by the Institute.

GIVEN, under my hand and seal
this 23rd day of May in the Year
of Our Lord, Two Thousand and
One, and of the Independence of
the United States, the Two Hundred
and Twenty-Fifth.

/s/ Donald T. DiFrancesco
Acting Governor

Attest:

/s/ James A. Harkness
Chief Counsel