Statement

Police Killing of Najee Seabrooks is the Result of a Systemic Policy Failure

Najee Seabrooks should still be alive. Mental health crises should be met with trained professionals, not heavily armed police.

By

Published on Mar 16, 2023 in Public Safety

Earlier today, the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General released body camera footage from the police killing of Najee Seabrooks, a violence intervention specialist with the Paterson Healing Collective, who called 9-1-1 while experiencing a mental health crisis. The video footage depicts multiple officers responding to the mental health crisis with guns drawn and pointed toward Najee. Minutes after officers stated, “Nobody is going to shoot you,” officers opened fire. In response to the release of the footage, New Jersey Policy Perspective (NJPP) releases the following statement. 

Nicole Rodriguez, President, NJPP:

“Najee Seabrooks should be alive right now. This is not only tragic but the result of a systemic policy failure that had heavily armed police respond to a mental health crisis. What outcome should we expect when someone in crisis is met with police armed for war with their guns drawn? Our system failed Najee, just as it continues to fail our Black and brown neighbors who put their lives in jeopardy when they call 9-1-1 for help. State and local lawmakers must act with urgency so mental health crises are met with trained professionals, not armed police, and that people are connected to the care they need.”

For more information on, and examples of, alternatives to policing, read NJPP’s 2021 report, To Protect and Serve: Investing in Public Safety Beyond Policing.
# # #

Author

  • Nicole Rodriguez, Research Director, is an experienced public policy advocate who researches and advocates for state policy solutions that centers the needs of communities. She is skilled in policy analysis, research, writing, communication, and nonprofit organization and management. Her research interests include labor and economic policy at the intersection of work and family.

    Before joining New Jersey Policy Perspective, Nicole was a Senior Researcher at Community Labor United (CLU), an organization that brings together community and labor partners to speak in one voice on issues that impact working-class families throughout Greater Boston. Specifically, Nicole drove strategic campaigns forward with rigorous research and leadership that stabilize and strengthen low-income families and communities of color.Prior to that, Nicole worked as a Senior Policy Analyst at the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, an independent research organization that produces non-partisan policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state’s economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. Nicole has authored numerous reports focusing on family economic security and the state budget.

    She has also worked for foundations, non-profits, and state and local governments in Massachusetts. She holds a Master’s in Public Policy from the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University and a Bachelors of Arts in Political Science from Villanova University.

    Email: rodriguez (at) njpp.org | Phone: 609-393-1145 ext. 18
Donate Now

Like this publication?

Please consider supporting NJPP.

Your support powers the research, communications, and partnership building necessary to make policy work for people, so every New Jerseyan can achieve their goal for a healthy and vibrant life.