The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office is investigating the potential existence of Oath Keepers members in local law enforcement following a comprehensive Gothamist/WNYC report this week.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“There are obvious concerns about any member of law enforcement participating in a group such as this. We are investigating this matter and because it also affects multiple law enforcement agencies across the state, we have reached out to the Attorney General’s Office for guidance,” said HCPO spokeswoman Jennifer Morrill.
“Any relevant information we uncover may be shared with the FBI or other law enforcement agencies.”
Wednesday’s Gothamist report explicitly said that hacked records showed that Jersey City police officers had ties to the Oath Keepers without getting into specifics, along with naming an HCPO detective.
The Anti-Defamation League describes them as “right-wing anti-government extremists who are part of the militia movement, which believes that the federal government has been coopted by a shadowy conspiracy that is trying to strip American citizens of their rights.”
While several Jersey City officials declined to comment, Ward E Councilman James Solomon expressed some thoughts during Thursday afternoon’s episode of HCV Live & Uncut, indicating that this was a clear example of where a civilian complaint review board would be helpful.
“Obviously just the idea that white supremacists are in our police force is horrifying and has to be addressed. And look I’m sure that [the] mayor and JCPD will address it but what a CCRB guarantees is transparency as trusted community leaders who can investigate, issue a report,” he said.
” … The revelation that their may be Oath Keepers in our force is exactly another reason why we need [an] independent community board to oversee allegations of misconduct for JCPD.”
He also said that any members of the force are found to have ties to the Oath Keepers should be suspended immediately.
“You can’t be part of a white supremacist organization and serve in Jersey City.”