Hudson County Prosecutor's Office Investigates Hoboken Police Captain

The Hudson County prosecutor’s office has launched an internal investigation of a Hoboken police captain who allegedly ordered officers on the midnight shift to stop and search African-Americans walking on local streets.

According to Hudson County Prosecutor Ed DeFazio, no racial profiling occurred, and the investigation is not criminal. It’s an internal affairs investigation, he said.

DeFazio said that the Hoboken police chief sent the case to the prosecutor’s office. DeFazio confirmed that the internal investigation involves a Hoboken police captain, but did not reveal the officer’s name.

DeFazio said he was apprehensive of using the term "racial profiling" because that "indicates that people were victimized” and that, he added, “appears not to be the case." 

Hoboken Police Chief Anthony Falco declined to comment on the matter.

It’s still unclear how long the investigation will last. But, said DeFazio, “it’s not a complex investigation.”