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Clark mayor responds to state lawsuit, says past policing issues were addressed during oversight
Summary
Mayor Albanese told the council the attorney general’s civil suit concerns historical policing practices; he called the reported remarks 'offensive and unacceptable,' said county and state oversight led to policy and training reforms, and urged that the matter proceed in court while the township continues internal reforms.
Mayor James Albanese told the Township of Clark Council on Feb. 17 that recent reporting about historical policing practices and a lawsuit filed by the New Jersey attorney general relate to past incidents and that the township acted under outside oversight to make reforms.
"The remarks that were reported from years ago were offensive and unacceptable," Albanese said, adding that the comments "do not reflect the values of this community." He said the Union County Prosecutor's Office placed the Clark Police Department under formal oversight in 2020 and that oversight 'remained in place for more than five years.'
Albanese said the oversight period produced policy reviews, additional training, stronger supervisory structures and reinforced accountability mechanisms. He also said the state attorney general implemented a law enforcement monitorship through the Department of Law and Public Safety’s Office of Policing Strategy and Innovation and that written correspondence from the attorney general acknowledged no systemic problems requiring continued oversight had been identified during that monitorship.
Mayor Albanese summarized the administration’s approach as focusing on transparency, professionalism and ethical conduct, and he asked residents to let the court process run while local leaders continue to serve the community. "This matter will proceed in the court where it belongs," he said, adding that locally "our responsibility is to continue serving residents with integrity."
During public comment later in the meeting, several residents expressed divergent views: some urged continued reform and outreach to repair the town’s reputation, while others defended the police and criticized the lawsuit as unfair. The council did not take formal action on policing matters at the Feb. 17 meeting; Mayor Albanese and multiple council members said they would pursue further engagement and follow-up steps outside the public session.
The council meeting record indicates the administration will coordinate with legal and oversight processes and pursue internal reforms and community outreach as described by the mayor. The attorney general’s court filing and any ongoing proceedings remain matters of public record and are being adjudicated in the appropriate forum.
