"Get Out of Jail Free" Cards: NJ's Embattled Police Practice Faces Scrutiny

Strategic Insights -

Despite a damning report by New Jersey's Office of the State Comptroller, the practice of police officers issuing courtesy cards, also known as "get out of jail free" cards, continues unabated. The report found that the practice, which allows drivers to avoid traffic tickets and fines by presenting a police "honor card" or dropping the name of a law enforcement contact, is a "two-tiered system of justice" that is "unethical, discriminatory, and fundamentally unfair."

Key Takeaways:

  • The report, which studied 50 hours of bodycam footage involving 501 traffic stops, found that 27% of drivers received preferential treatment due to presenting a PBA card or claiming a relationship with a law enforcement officer.
  • In one case, a driver was let off with a warning despite speeding at 103 mph, citing their father's status as a police lieutenant.
  • The report also found that drivers presenting cards were more likely to be White, with 69 cards handed out to White drivers or passengers compared to 18 handed out to drivers or passengers from other racial backgrounds.
  • Troopers conducted computerized lookups of Hispanic or Latino drivers at a significantly higher rate than White drivers, suggesting racial disparities in policing.
  • The practice has been shown to create a "serious moral hazard" by allowing family members of police officers to engage in reckless driving.
  • Despite the report's findings, the New Jersey State Police and PBA locals have remained silent, with some even declining to comment.
  • Retired NYPD detective Mike Alcazar called the practice "archaic," stating that it makes police officers' jobs harder and creates an environment of corruption.
  • Distinguished professor of law Stuart Green noted that the practice is "problematic from a number of perspectives," including public safety, trust in the police, corruption, and abuse of power.

Statistics:

  • 27% of drivers received preferential treatment due to presenting a PBA card or claiming a relationship with a law enforcement officer.
  • 69 PBA cards were handed out to White drivers or passengers, while only 18 were handed out to drivers or passengers from other racial backgrounds.
  • 65% of Hispanic or Latino drivers were subjected to computerized lookups, compared to 34% of White drivers.
  • 87 cards were handed to troopers in the study, with 73% of drivers leaving without a ticket or warning even if they didn't present a PBA card or claim a relationship with a law enforcement officer.
  • 20% of 6.2 million motor vehicle stops between January 2009 and May 2021 ended without enforcement.

Sources:

  • "Report: Police 'honor cards' used to let drivers off the hook" by Asbury Park Press
  • "New Jersey State Comptroller's Office Report: Use of Police 'Honor Cards' to Avoid Traffic Enforcement"
  • "Two-tiered system of justice": New Jersey comptroller's report highlights racial disparities in policing" by NJ Spotlight News