We were persistent in our demand to the township’s elected leadership for the release of video of the incident. It was only after the happenstance of a historic state Supreme Court ruling declaring that police dashcam and bodycam video is part of the public record and subject to the Open Public Records Act did the Maplewood Township Committee relent and release the video.
I believe the township was well aware of the data NJ.com -- The Star-Ledger’s online home -- has released. I’m sure it tried to prevent the release of the video because the township knew it correlated with the pattern of use of force. It was only upon the video’s release, that the township demanded the resignation of the chief and captain of the Maplewood police force.By Walter Fields
I believe the township was well aware of the data NJ.com -- The Star-Ledger’s online home -- has released. I’m sure it tried to prevent the release of the video because the township knew it correlated with the pattern of use of force. It was only upon the video’s release, that the township demanded the resignation of the chief and captain of the Maplewood police force.By Walter Fields