Gilded Badges
How New Jersey Cops Profit From Police Unions and Avoid Accountability
New Jersey police officers and unions have cut deals, to reduce their discipline and increase their benefits, that are costing the public.
“The Ball Was Dropped by All”: How Cops Got More Than $400,000 in Unlawful Sick Day Payouts
Records in 25 New Jersey towns show that police officers took annual payments for unused sick days despite a law forbidding the practice. The payments add up to nearly half a million dollars from 2017 through 2019. The cops may have to pay it back.
How We Found Pricey Provisions in New Jersey Police Contracts
ProPublica and the Asbury Park Press scoured hundreds of police union agreements for details on publicly funded payouts to cops.
How the Police Bank Millions Through Their Union Contracts
The public funds six-figure “sick day” payouts, $2,500 “perfect attendance” bonuses and lucrative “extra duty” assignments identified in a ProPublica, Asbury Park Press analysis of New Jersey police union contracts.
What Happens to New Jersey Officers Charged With Official Misconduct? We Gathered the Cases to Find Out.
How we used court records, charging documents and news clips to show how often criminal cops avoided jail time with reduced sentences.
How Criminal Cops Often Avoid Jail
New Jersey officers accused of violence, sexual misconduct and more have walked free in deals that dodge a tough sentencing law. Now lawmakers want to eliminate it.
I Cover Cops as an Investigative Reporter. Here Are Five Ways You Can Start Holding Your Department Accountable.
Police culture can be insular and tough to penetrate, but the public can hold law enforcement accountable. Here are important methods and context you need to know.
Tell Us About Police Misconduct in New Jersey
We want to hear from police officers, public employees and community members who can help us learn more about police misconduct in New Jersey and why it’s allowed to continue.
