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On October 17, 2023, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division (collectively, DOJ) opened a pattern or practice investigation of the City of Trenton and the Trenton Police Department (TPD) under the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, 34 U.S.C. § 12601. The investigation assessed whether the City and the Police Department engaged in a pattern or practice of excessive force in violation of the Fourth Amendment, as well as unlawful stops, searches, and seizures. The DOJ was to conduct a comprehensive review of TPD policies, training, and supervision, as well as examine TPD’s systems of accountability, including how TPD investigates police misconduct complaints and disciplines officers. As part of this investigation, DOJ reached out to community members to learn about their experiences with TPD and opened a hotline for Trenton community members to volunteer relevant information.
Just over a year later, the DOJ released its findings, stating the TPD and the City had engaged in a pattern or practice of conduct that violated the Fourth Amendment. Specifically, the DOJ found (1) TPD used excessive force in violation of the Fourth Amendment; (2) TPD conducted warrantless stops, searches, and arrests in violation of the Fourth Amendment; and (3) that deficiencies in TPD’s accountability system, training, and supervision allowed officer misconduct to continue. The City and TPD both stated they would work with the DOJ to implement the report’s reform recommendations.
On May 21, 2025, the DOJ–now under the Trump administration–announced it was closing its investigation into the City and TPD and retracting its findings of constitutional violations. The investigation is now closed.
Summary Authors
Terry Howard (11/26/2023)
Avery Coombe (10/7/2025)
State / Territory: New Jersey
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Trump Administration 2.0: Reversing Course on Existing Litigation
Key Dates
Closing Date: May 21, 2025
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
DOJ Civil Rights Division investigation
Attorney Organizations:
U.S. Dept. of Justice Civil Rights Division
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: Unknown
Class Action Outcome: Unknown
Defendants
City of Trenton Police Department (Trenton, New Jersey, Mercer), City
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Violent Crime and Law Enforcement Act, 34 U.S.C. § 12601 (previously 42 U.S.C. § 14141)
Constitutional Clause(s):
Unreasonable search and seizure
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Defendant
Nature of Relief:
Source of Relief:
Issues
General/Misc.:
Policing: