An investigation by the New Jersey Office of the State Comptroller (OSC) has revealed that New Jersey State Police troopers often gave preferential treatment to motorists who presented courtesy cards or claimed connections to law enforcement. This practice occurred even when motorists were suspected of serious offenses, such as drunk driving.
The OSC's Police Accountability Project reviewed body camera footage from 501 traffic stops where no enforcement action was taken. In 139 of these cases, drivers either showed a courtesy card, mentioned a connection to law enforcement, or displayed a badge and were subsequently released without penalty. The report noted that courtesy cards are widely used and regarded as "accepted currency" among state troopers.
Acting State Comptroller Kevin Walsh commented on the findings: “Our investigation shows that some people are being given a free pass to violate serious traffic safety laws. Law enforcement decisions should never depend on who you know, your family connections, or donations to police unions. Nepotism and favoritism undermine our laws and make our roads more dangerous.”
The review highlighted several instances where drivers admitted to drinking alcohol but were not subjected to sobriety tests after presenting courtesy cards or mentioning law enforcement ties. In one case, a driver going over 90 miles per hour admitted to drinking but was let go after showing two cards. Another motorist traveling at 103 miles per hour was released after stating her father was a lieutenant in a local police department.
The investigation also found that nearly half of the non-enforcement stops involved speeding violations, with some exceeding the speed limit by more than 20 miles per hour. In three instances, drivers suspected of reckless driving admitted to consuming alcohol but were not asked to perform field sobriety tests.
Courtesy cards are distributed by police labor associations and can be obtained through memberships or purchased from private companies. The OSC found that these cards were effective in securing non-enforcement outcomes across various jurisdictions.
In addition to courtesy cards, asserting personal relationships with law enforcement also influenced outcomes in traffic stops. Of the reviewed stops, 52 involved claims of connections without presenting a card; in many cases, this resulted in no enforcement action.
Among its recommendations, OSC suggested regular reviews of no-enforcement stops by New Jersey State Police to assess racial and ethnic trends in motor vehicle data and determine if further training is necessary. It also recommended that the Attorney General consider prohibiting preferential treatment based on law enforcement ties or possession of courtesy cards.
