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“Degrated and denigrated” is how the 23 Hispanic and Afro American police officers who filed suit against the New Jersey Police, seeking a just promotion…

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“Degrated and denigrated” is how the 23 Hispanic and Afro American police officers who filed suit against the New Jersey Police, seeking a just promotion procedure, state that they feel, since they feel the current system discriminates based on race.

The plaintiffs, who have been working for the police force for 14 to 30 years, some of them without ever being promoted, met with the press in Moorestown (NJ) during the weekend.

“None of us wants to be here; we all tried to speak individually with our superior officers to avoid this and we found no solution, it is a decade long problem”, said on of the officers and explained that they are now considered to be problematic. “No test exists to determine who deserves to be promoted and who doesn’t.  We lack reprisals because the situation cannot be worse”, the desperate officers stated.

One of them, Ronal Drayton, who has a University degree in Professional Security and a masters degree in Information System Security, has been working for 14 years without being promoted.  His peers affirm that Drayton is better prepared than his own chief.

“We have people making security laws that have only finished High School”, they ironically commented. They affirmed that long before filing suit, they already felt uncomfortable with the work environment.

“Most of us have complained about the hostile environment.  It is frustrating to see newcomers train and be promoted year after year while you stay in the same place knowing that you are better prepared.  We are leading the show and are not recognized.  It is embarrassing, denigrating and stressful, and then we take that frustration home”, Aron Porter, with 20 years of service and not one promotion, commented.

“Above being a lawyer, I am a citizen and pay taxes and I go to bed thinking that my family is safe and secure without knowing that some of those who protect us occupy their jobs because they are someone’s friend and not because they really have the necessary capacities, and all of this because they lack a just promotion program”, stated William Buckman, handling the case.

According to Buckman, the promotion selection procedure exists since 1921, when diversity was not even recognized.  “Nothing would make me happier than not having to file a suit such as this and knowing that the system works well, but this truly goes against that stated in the constitution of the state, it is discrimination”, he assured.

“I have worked with the State Police for 21 years, I am a Trooper I (second rank) but am equally prepared to a sergeant or maybe a captain and they send me to meetings with superior officers of greater importance in which the lives of thousands of people have to be protected and it is embarrassing to show my badge and hear comments about why I’m still a Trooper I”, said Ricardo Valmon, who jokes that he is doubly discriminated against because he is half Hispanic and half Afro American.

“Most of us don’t have any time left because for decades we have been trying to reach a rank from which we can finally retire.  I have been here for 21 years, I have 4 years left to retire and I am a Trooper I, when in 25 years time, one would normally be a lieutenant”, Valmon added.

“We want this to come to an end, and not to fight for something that won’t lead anywhere.  We are here together because we want to go to court”, aid Sergeant Andree Robinson, who has worked for the entity for 19 years.

“And see changes, a just system.  I’m certain that there are many more out there affected like us and fighting for this”, Sergeant Scott W. Packwood, who has been in service for 22 years, added.

In the opinion of the State Troopers Fraternal Association, David Jones, the matter has nothing to do with discrimination.

“We have complained about this promotion system for years and sought a trustworthy and transparent system; in the state of New Jersey, promotions, by law, are a prerogative of the administration through which after certain basis have been set they may promote whomever they wish.  However, I wouldn’t consider it a matter of racial discrimination, but rather discrimination based on legal practices within the Police force”, he stated.

“Entering the New Jersey Police Force is not longer attractive for professional youths because this is no longer a career holding opportunities for growth for us minorities, but rather just a job.  In 10 years we will not see minority members in any position of power in the NJ State Police because the number of minority members in the schools are decreasing and change is necessary in order for future generations to have opportunities”, they affirm.

“We all have the motivation and drive to represent the Police”.
For Buckman, however, “the talent, knowledge and experience of these state troopers will not be used to improve the institution and all that will be used is that which the White boys of the blub want in their own system”.
The New Jersey State District Attorney did not comment on the case despite various calls made by AL DÍA’s editorial staff.

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