ACLU critical of N.J. police complaint procedures

NEWARK, N.J. - A new report by the American Civil Liberties Union says most New Jersey police departments mishandle complaints about misconduct.

The organization's New Jersey chapter had volunteers call all 503 police departments in New Jersey this year to find out how they accept complaints from the public.

The group found that 63 percent of departments, including some in Gloucester, Camden and Burlington Counties, said that complaints had to be made in person, and nearly half did not accept anonymous complaints. The ACLU says both policies go against the state attorney general's guidelines for handling complaints.

The Attorney General's Office said it would not comment until lawyers had reviewed the report. - AP