New Jersey Superintendent of Police Patrick Callahan issued a statement today repeating a zero-tolerance policy on discrimination but then suggesting that informants could face defamation charges if their information is found to be wrong. This move could have a chilling effect on the sources law enforcement depends upon to do their job.
The new scandal involves the number two man in the State Police, Lt. Col. Sean Kilcommons, a close friend of Callahan who has been accused of referring to Attorney General Matt Platkin as “that Jew.”
On Thursday, the New York Post reported that Kilcomons allegedly ordered a state police helicopter to remain in the air during a “Bring Your Child to Work Day ” event Platkin and his young son attended.
“I don’t want that Jew’s kid in the State Police helicopter,” the Post quoted Kilcomons as allegedly saying. They referred to a report filed with the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability.
The New Jersey Globe received multiple emails on Friday from state troopers making additional allegations of comments made by Kilcomons.
Callahan’s public statement comes four weeks after an independent report found a culture of tolerance for bad behavior and a startling number of reports of racist comments by high-ranking State Police officials. Among other things, the report found that senior troopers used DNA testing and fingerprints to locate their accusers in anonymous complaints.
In particular, Callahan promised to stay out of internal affairs investigations. He said he would “fully support an investigation into these anonymous claims,” and then he appeared to lean in to support his friend, Kilcomons.
“I am confident that a thorough and fair investigation will reveal the truth. Should these allegations prove unsubstantiated and an attempt at defamation, I trust that the Office of Law Enforcement Professional Standards will take decisive action to address any disinformation and hold accountable those responsible for spreading it.”
Callahan said the State Police is “unwavering in its commitment to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and service to every community we are privileged to serve.”
“Our troopers embody the highest ethical standards, conducting themselves with honor, duty, and fidelity, in all they do,” he said. “These are the core values that define the New Jersey State Police.”
Gov. Phil Murphy issued a statement in support of Platkin today, saying that “anti-Semitism of any kind has no place in our society.”
“The alleged comment about Attorney General Platkin and his son, if true, is abhorrent and contrary to the values of the New Jersey State Police and my entire administration,” he said.
Rep. Andy Kim, a candidate for U.S. Senate, said that the comments, if found to be true, are “wildly offensive, wrong and completely unacceptable.”
“As we continue to see a rise of anti-Semitic acts here at home and across the country, it is imperative that we call out those actions and hold those accountable whenever possible,’ said Kim.
All six announced and likely candidates for the Democratic nomination for governor – Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, former Senate President Steve Sweeney, New Jersey Education Association President Sean Spiller, and Reps. Mikie Sherrill and Josh Gottheimer – issued statements expressing concern over Kilcomons’ alleged comments.