Brutality has many faces. My name is Samuel Clark. I'm a former lieutenant with the Newark New Jersey Police Department. In 1995, while a sergeant with the Newark Police Department, I was a victim of police brutality. The officer who perpetrated the incident was only given a reprimand. I objected to this extremely lenient sanction and was determined to find out how and why an officer with an abusive reputation was not properly sanctioned. I discovered the police department's internal disciplinary system engages in differential treatment, and frequently does not sanction officers who they know have committed criminal acts. I attempted to bring this fact to the attention of my supervisors by way of official Newark Police Department reports. I was never interviewed about my allegations, and therefore conclude there was no investigation. As a result of my attempts to exercise my legal and ethical responsibilities, I became the target of retaliatory actions by my supervisors. When the department failed to make efforts to effectively address the issues of police corruption, and differential treatment, I appeared before the Newark Municipal Council on July 2, 1996. Another police officer named Darren Nance also addressed the Newark Municipal on that date. He calmly and eloquently informed Newark Municipal Councilmembers about differential treatment and racism in the Newark Police Department. His employment with the Newark Police Department was terminated (for non-criminal administrative charges) less than 60 days later: it all in public records. I addressed the members of the Newark Municipal Council and informed them that if any officer dare speak out about racism, or civil rights violations, that officer will be charged will some administrative infraction such as insubordination, or incompetence. I told the members of the Newark Municipal Council that, because of me appearance before them, I would make the Newark Police Department's hit list. I told them I would be charged with incompetence and insubordination. At the time I made that speech, I was a member of the Newark Police Department for twenty-three and a half years. During that time I had an exemplary record, and had never been suspended for any infraction. Approximately one year later, I was suspended for one year without pay, and demoted in rank from lieutenant to sergeant. I had several false administrative charges lodged against me: no criminal charges, and no charges lodged by citizens. On April 9,1999, just as I had predicted on July 2, 1996, I was terminated from the Newark Police Department for "incompetence and inefficiency." Public records available. My case is presently in US District Court 97-6186(JCL). Former Police Officer and "whistle blower" Darren Nance's case is also in US District Court. The public needs to realize the so called "blue wall of silence" is maintained by high ranking police officials. When other officers clearly see how "whistle blower" officer are railroaded into financial ruin, they are deterred from coming forward and telling the truth about countless abuses that have caused misery, and in some case death to innocent citizens. The overt mission of Newark's Internal Investigation Division is to prevent police abuses. But the covert mission is the suppression of information about the number and types of police abuses. We (a small group of whistle blower former Newark Police Officers) have nearly completed a booklet about the political and police corruption of Newark New Jersey. It gives the reader information on several officers who have committed criminal offenses and were not fired, or even suspended for one day. Yet whistle blower officers who have not commit any criminal offense have been terminated. We need financial support to be successful in our court cases. At the same time, the testimony and records will expose the methods used to protect criminal cops, while getting rid of honest cops who tell the truth. We have endured extreme financial hardship as a result of being responsible public servants. We can't continue to feed our families and pay for necessary court transcripts, depositions, and expert witnesses. The public needs to know that a "whistle-blower" police officer is by him/her self. If an officer is involved in some controversial shooting, he or she will get plenty of help from other police officers & police organizations. But tell the truth about the abuses committed by other police officers and no police organization will help you. When I speak with other Newark Police Officers on the street, they nervously look around to see if anyone observes them talking with me. Against my constitutional rights, I was restrained from a Newark Police Station. This particular police station (called the North District) has had several publicized incidents of police corruption. I made a formal complaint (providing names) with the Newark Police Department's Internal Affairs Division in July 1997. I was told I would be informed of the investigations findings. As of this date, April 4, 2001, I have not been informed of the investigations outcome. This is no joke! If that's the way a veteran, knowledgeable, police supervisor can be treated, you tell me how do you think the average citizen is treated? In addition, all the law enforcement agencies that are supposed to investigate and prosecute abusive police officers, find all kind of excuses not to investigate or take act on the information provided by a whistle blowing cop. An investigator with the New Jersey Attorney General's Office claimed he had conducted an exhaustive investigation on my allegation of "Official Misconduct" by a Newark Police Captain. His "exhaustive investigation" did not include an interview with me. How do you conduct an "exhaustive investigation" and never speak to the complainant? When I asked for a copy of his investigation, he claimed it was confidential information. Perhaps that's why there is "racial profiling" in New Jersey. We would appreciate any contribution to help us expose and fight police abuses. If anyone wants to help please send your contribution to the Society of Afro-American Police Officers Inc. (SAP Defense Fund) PO Box Newark, NJ 07101. You can give me an e-mail at clark42@uplink.net I will be happy to provide you with some official Newark Police Reports that prove I have attempted to inform my supervisors about differential treatment and other abuses. If your provide a $10.00 donation, we will mail you the booklet on political & police corruption in Newark. In incidents in the booklet (although serious) are not the worst abuses committed by Newark Police Officers. By helping us, you could save someone the pain of being victimized by a public servant who is paid to protect you. Please Help! Sincerely Samuel Clark Former lieutenant of the Newark New Jersey Police Department |