N.J.’s new attorney general aims for more diversity among state police

New Jersey officially has 85 new state troopers.

Only two African Americans were among the troopers who received their badges after completing a 26-week training program.

New Jersey Attorney General Jeff Chiesa said that’s something his office will work on to reflect the diversity of the state.

“We need to make sure that the African American communities are aware of the opportunities and we talk to them in a way that makes people excited about getting involved with the state police,” he said Friday.

“Part of our job will be not only to make sure that we’re letting all of the different populations know about the opportunities in the state police, but also reminding them what a great career it is,” he said. “So they’ll then go back and try to recruit other friends of theirs and other members of their community so that we can continue to try to make sure the state police is as diverse as we can.”

The graduating class of troopers is the first since 2009. Chiesa, who just recently was named attorney general, said he hopes to have more classes as soon as resources allow.