September 25, 2014
A movement to bring reforms and accountability to the Newark Police Department is taking root. Newark Communities for Accountable Policing (N-CAP), a coalition of community and civil rights organizations dedicated to improving policing in the community, officially introduced itself Sept. 25 at the Unified Vailsburg Services Organization’s Community Center in the heart of Newark’s West Ward, at a community forum that featured a powerful evening of story-sharing.
Newark residents, activists, and community leaders heard from five courageous Newarkers who shared their stories of harassment and abuse by members of the Newark Police Department. Each storyteller expressed optimism that meaningful reforms could usher in a new era for the Newark Police Department.
Each of the stories told emphasized the need to achieve N-CAP’s three primary goals:
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Build a culture of respect and cooperation between the NPD and Newark communities.
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Establish community advisory boards that facilitate a positive, productive police-community relationship, develop community leadership, and provide feedback to the NPD from Newark communities.
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Create strong, independent civilian oversight of the NPD that investigates and disciplines officers for misconduct, reviews policies and procedures, and increases transparency.
Learn more about our storytellers interactions with the Newark Police.