Clark Township, NJ Police Department Sued for Systemic Racial Discrimination

Allegations of Systemic Racism in Clark Township

• 🎯 A new lawsuit has been filed against Clark Township, its police department, and a former mayor, alleging systemic racism.
• ⚠️ The state of New Jersey's criminal complaint claims that Clark officials instructed officers to exclude black people from the township.
• 📈 Policies were allegedly put in place by Clark leaders with the explicit goal of preventing black individuals from entering the town.

Investigation and Whistleblower Actions

• 🔍 The investigation into discrimination in Clark Township has been ongoing for years, with the Union County Prosecutor's Office taking control of the police department in 2020.
• 🎤 This action followed a whistleblower's recordings that documented racist remarks made by former mayor Salvatore Bonorso and police leaders.
• 🗣️ Numerous public complaints were also filed against the police department.

Specific Discriminatory Practices

• 🚫 Attorney General Matt Platkin and the Division on Civil Rights state that Clark officials systematically discriminated against and harassed black and other non-white drivers.
• 🚗 These efforts were reportedly led and encouraged by former Mayor Bonacorso and Police Chief Pedro Mtos, who instructed officers to focus patrols and traffic stops on roadways from neighboring towns with higher minority populations.
• 💨 The excuse of smelling marijuana was allegedly used to stop and search black and Hispanic drivers.

Legal Actions and Statements

• ⚖️ The state's complaint, filed in New Jersey Superior Court, seeks to stop harassment, calls for continued monitoring of township leaders and the police department, and requests damages for victims.
• 👨‍⚖️ Former Mayor Bon Corso stepped down in January 2025 after facing corruption and discrimination charges; Police Chief Pedro Moses and other officers remain suspended with pay.
• 📝 Clark's PBA released a statement expressing outrage over past comments but asserting that officers have committed to fair policing and that the cultural shift was driven by doing the right thing, not by lawsuits.