PURPOSE: The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office (HCPO) strives to maintain a workforce that reflects a similar diversity as the populace of Hudson County in order to effectively serve, protect and interact with all community members. To accomplish this, and in accordance with N.J.S.A. 52:17B-4.10, the HCPO has established a Diversity Program for Recruitment and Selection for the purpose of hiring a diverse group of Law Enforcement Officers (LEOs).
BACKGROUND: In October 2020, the New Jersey Legislature passed a law — N.J.S.A. 52:17B-4.10 (the “Act”) — requiring each law enforcement agency to establish a program designed to ensure that every agency was “comprised of law enforcement officers who reflect the diversity of the population of the community the agency is charged with protecting.”
GUIDELINES: The Act directed the Attorney General to develop Guidelines to ensure uniform application of the law throughout the State of New Jersey. The HCPO followed these Guidelines in establishing its Diversity Program by identifying underrepresented groups and taking action to address any underrepresentation.
PROCEDURE: These Guidelines set forth procedures for collecting and reporting demographic data regarding the recruitment, selection, and promotion of our LEOs.
METHODOLOGY: In establishing this Program, the HCPO identified underrepresented groups comprising the current group of LEOs in the Investigations Division as it relates to the general make-up of the Hudson County populace. The HCPO utilized data from the County of Hudson Division of Personnel to identify the race, ethnicity and gender of its current group of LEOs.
OBJECTIVE: Over the past six years, the HCPO has significantly increased engagement with the Black/African American community and the Hispanic/Latino American community — with a specific focus on attracting potential female applicants. It has been particularly beneficial that many volunteer presenters and speakers are able to engage communities in both English and Spanish. Though significant progress has been made in diversifying the make-up of its LEOs, after reviewing the program data, the HCPO has been able to identify several areas in need of improvement. The HCPO then established specific Program goals to bring the diversity of its LEOs into better alignment with the community members it serves.
INTENTION: The HCPO will make a good faith effort to meet specific diversity goals for recruiting and hiring. A number of factors and complexities have been taken into consideration to diversify the workforce. The HCPO plans to review and analyze the demographic make-up of the LEOs in its Investigations Division, including but not limited to determining (1) progress made toward reaching goals, (2) whether any substantial disparities have been reduced, and (3) revisions that may be necessary to achieve Program goals. During each period of analysis, contingency measures will be taken if Program goals are not met.
The United States Census Bureau defines Asian as a person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia or the Indian subcontinent including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand and Vietnam.
The overall census population of the Asian American community in Hudson County is approximately 17%. The current make-up of Asian American detectives at the HCPO is 2%. The Asian American community is one of the fastest growing communities in Hudson County with large population pockets in several municipalities. In order to effectively recruit additional Asian American LEOs, the HCPO must increase engagement directly in the communities in which they live.
Increase the percentage of Asian American Law Enforcement Officers employed by the HCPO to a range between 8 and 10% by December 31, 2025.
The overall census population of the Hispanic and Latino communities in Hudson County is approximately 40%. The current make-up of Hispanic and Latino detectives at the HCPO is 24%. The HCPO has a strong relationship with the Hispanic and Latino communities resulting in an increasing number of Hispanic/Latino American detectives in the HCPO’s ranks. These efforts will be continued.
Increase the percentage of Hispanic/Latino American Law Enforcement Officers employed by the HCPO to a range between 30 and 40% by December 31, 2025.
The overall census population of the Black/African American community in Hudson County is approximately 10%. The current make-up of Black/African American detectives at the HCPO is also approximately 10%. The number of Black/African American detectives has increased to the point of parity. Promotions within the ranks of the Investigative Division have helped future generations identify with role models in law enforcement.
Continue engaging with the African American community to strengthen and improve the number of Black/African American applicants at the HCPO.
The overall census population of females living in Hudson County is approximately 50%. The current make-up of female detectives at the HCPO is 32%. Our proactive approach in recruiting females for LEO positions will continue as more and more women become interested in law enforcement offering an increasing number of role models working in the field.
Increase the percentage of female Law Enforcement Officers employed by the HCPO from 32% to a range between 40 and 50% by December 31, 2025.