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Major James Fallon
- Section Commander
The Investigations
Section is made up of the following Bureaus:
Narcotics
and Organized Crime Bureau The Narcotics and
Organized Crime Bureau is tasked with spearheading
New Jersey's war on drugs with strategic new initiatives designed
to target all levels of narcotics trafficking in the Garden
State, from street level distribution networks which impact
upon the quality of life of New Jersey residents to wholesale
importation and transportation operations controlled by foreign
drug lords. At the same time, the State Police recognized
the need to more effectively marshal resources from within
the Division to combat both traditional organized criminal
groups as well as the growing number of emerging nontraditional
organized criminal groups.
The Bureau is aligned into five specialized Units which are
strategically designed to ensure that the Division of State
Police effectively and efficiently complies with all departmental
policies and directives as they pertain to narcotics and organized
crime enforcement. These specialized Units include the Organized
Crime Unit, the Narcotics North Unit, the Narcotics Central
Unit, the Narcotics South Unit and Joint Operations Unit.
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Narcotics Central Unit
The Narcotics Central Unit is tasked with
the responsibility of addressing each and every level of the
illicit narcotics trade with the intention to take each respective
investigation to the highest possible level. In areas of State
Police responsibility, the unit continues to be committed
to an enforcement program with support of respective station
detectives and necessary uniformed personnel.
One of the most successful programs of the Narcotics Central
Unit is the Domestic Cannabis Eradication and Suppression
Program (DCE/SP). The program receives supplemental funding
in the form of a federal grant which supports the operation
of the program. The Domestic Cannabis Eradication and Suppression
Program coordinates and oversees indoor/outdoor marijuana
cultivation investigations throughout the State, as well as
the development of informants to conduct their own investigations
regarding marijuana cultivation sites. A regard system has
been implemented in conjunction with this tipline.
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Narcotics North Unit
The Narcotics North Unit, conducts investigations
of individuals and organizations engaging in the wholesale
importation and distribution of narcotics in the northern
New Jersey metropolitan area. Their focus is the identification,
disruption, and dismantling of wholesale importation and transportation
networks which supply large quantities of narcotics to local
distribution markets. These investigations not only target
the narcotics traffickers, but also those who facilitate the
laundering of the drug proceeds.
Northern New Jersey High Intensity Drug Trafficking
Area (HIDTA) Task Force
A cooperative state and federal initiative which targets
heroin trafficking and it's corresponding money laundering
activities in the northern New Jersey counties of Bergen,
Essex, Hudson, Passaic and Union. The HIDTA Task Force receives
funding from the Office of National Drug Control Policy
and is staffed by personnel from various federal, state,
county, and local law enforcement agencies.
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Narcotics South Unit
The Narcotics South Unit, conducts investigations
of all levels of narcotics trafficking from street level sales
to wholesale importation and distribution. In areas of state
police responsibility, the unit continues to provide enforcement
of narcotics violations in conjunction with station personnel
and county prosecutor’s offices. The unit has recently
deployed a significant portion of its assets to the Camden
Anti-Crime Partnership, a multi-jurisdictional task force
with a long term strategy designed to address the most problematic
areas of criminal activity in the city.
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Organized Crime Unit
The Organized Crime Unit conducts investigations of individuals
and groups which are engaged in traditional and nontraditional
organized criminal activities. These investigations target
the illicit activities of individuals affiliated with traditional
organized crime families, including loansharking, extortion,
bookmaking, and racketeering. In addition, a growing number
of ethnic criminal groups present unique challenges to law
enforcement.
The political, economic, and social changes occurring in the
former Soviet Union and eastern block countries are providing
significant opportunities for Russian organized crime groups
to expand their influence in New Jersey and the surrounding
metropolitan area. The densely populated and close-knit Asian
communities of northern New Jersey are fertile grounds for
Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and Vietnamese crime syndicates.
The investigative expertise of members of the Organized Crime
Unit ensures the prompt and appropriate enforcement of violations
of New Jersey's Criminal Code, especially violations pertaining
to the Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO)
statute. In addition, Unit members provide assistance to other
federal, state, county, and local law enforcement authorities
who are engaged in similar investigations.
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Joint Operations Unit
The Division of State Police created within the Narcotics
and Organized Crime Bureau, the Joint Operations Unit, whose
primary mission is to conduct investigations concerning the
use of commercial motor vehicles in large scale illegal narcotics
trafficking operations. The Joint Operations Unit consists
of squads that investigate the illicit trends in the freight
hauling industry by independent truck owner/operators and
by the major freight forwarding businesses. Unit members are
part of a Federal Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force
that allows investigations to cross state boundaries without
regard to jurisdictional issues. The Marijuana Eradication
Squad investigates the domestic cultivation of cannabis within
New Jersey's borders. The Unit conducts post seizure analysis
of out of state narcotics interdiction to determine any connection
to New Jersey persons, businesses, or locations. The Joint Operations
Unit also conducts an annual Domestic Cannabis Eradication
and Suppression School. A toll free telephone number, (888)
798-9333 which citizens can utilize to provide tips regarding
marijuana cultivation is available.
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Child Protection
and Cyber Crime Bureau
The following units make up
the bureau:
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High Technology Crimes and Investigations Support Unit
The High Technology Crimes and Investigations Support
Unit is comprised of both enlisted and civilian personnel.
The members of this Unit conduct proactive and reactive investigations
in which computers, telecommunications equipment or other
advanced technology is used to facilitate a criminal act or
are the objects of the attack. Unit personnel provide investigative
and technical assistance to law enforcement agencies, throughout
New Jersey, in the course of criminal investigations. They
also examine seized computers for evidence of criminal activity.
Training is also provided to Police Officers throughout the
State on topics such as: computer crime investigations and
the seizure and preservation of electronic evidence. Other
training is provided to civic, business, and educational organizations
regarding computers and safety on the Internet. Unit personnel
have also been requested to review proposed changes to laws
related to computer crimes and submit appropriate recommendations
to the Legislature.
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Missing Persons Unit
More Information...
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Cyber Crimes Unit
Information Coming Soon ...
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Violent Crime Analysis Unit
 The
New Jersey State Police Violent Crime Analysis Unit
serves as an investigative support and information resource
center for the law enforcement community. The squad manages
the New Jersey Violent Crime Analysis Program (NJ ViCAP),
formerly known as the Homicide Evaluation and Assessment Tracking
(HEAT) program. NJ ViCAP is a computer-assisted investigative
tool which links violent crimes through comparison of specifics
such as date, location, modus operandi, victimology, offender
description, offender behavior, involved vehicles, and weapons.
Included in the database are solved and unsolved murders,
missing persons where foul play is suspected, unidentified
bodies, solved and unsolved sexual assaults or attempts, non-parental
abductions and attempts, luring incidents, and nuisance sex
offenses. .
These cases are forwarded to the FBI
Violent Criminal Apprehension Program (ViCAP) for nationwide
analysis. NJ ViCAP now collects information on sexual assaults,
nuisance sex offenses, stalking incidents, abductions, and
attempted abductions. Law enforcement agencies investigating
sexual offenses are strongly recommended to complete a sexual
assault crime analysis report and forward it to the New Jersey
State Police Violent Crime Analysis Squad. Crime analysis
reports will be provided to law enforcement agencies at no
cost.
The Violent Crime Analysis Squad provides the law enforcement
community with analytical and investigative support services
in criminal investigations. The goal of the Violent Crime
Analysis Squad, through NJ ViCAP, is to facilitate cooperation,
communication, and coordination between law enforcement agencies
and provide support in their efforts to investigate, identify,
track, apprehend, and prosecute serial offenders. The Violent
Crime Analysis Squad provides additional investigative services
and support to the law enforcement community which include:
- Immediate
access to information in the ViCAP database
- Technical
assistance in using the database and available resources
as investigative tools
- Time
lines on violent offenders and distribute them to law enforcement
agencies for comparison to violent crimes that have occurred
in their jurisdictions
- Assistance
to law enforcement agencies by preparing analytical reports,
violent crime matrixes, and special reports
- Multi-agency
law enforcement conferences regarding serial violent crimes
and violent offenders
- Maintain
composite sketch file of offenders and suspects
- Daily
review of NJLETS and NLETS teletypes.
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Criminal Investigation
Bureau The following units make up the bureau:
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Auto Unit
Members are experts in the field of vehicle identification,
document fraud and the investigation of organized criminal
groups involved in such activity. Assigned members conduct
Regulatory Inspections of auto body repair facilities, new
and used car dealerships and junkyards throughout the state.
Serve as officers and representatives in numerous professional
organizations, such as the Vehicle Theft Investigators Association
of New Jersey and the International Association of Auto Theft
Investigators. Members lecture at various police academies
throughout the state to educate local, county, state and federal
law enforcement officers in the latest auto theft and document
fraud methods and current detection techniques. Provide technical
information to auto theft detectives in the field and other
agencies requesting assistance with vehicle theft investigations.
Detectives are assigned to squads with the following functions:
- Auto Theft and Identification Squads:
Investigate organized criminal groups responsible for theft
of trucks, construction equipment, marine vessels and private
automobiles for profit. Experts in the field of vehicle
identification and the detection of vehicles with altered
identification numbers. Utilize methods such as heat or
acid restoration to expose obliterated vehicle identification
numbers. Primarily target "chop shop" operations where stolen
vehicles are disassembled for parts or altered/disguised
for resale. Detectives target organized insurance fraud
conspiracies, whereby vehicle owners defraud their insurance
carriers by fraudulently reporting their vehicles stolen
to collect total loss theft claims. Provide assistance to
federal, state and local agencies in all vehicle theft investigations,
and liaison with international, national, and state auto
theft members involved in complex investigations.
- Document Fraud Squads:
Work closely with New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission investigators
to identify and arrest individuals who attempt to conduct
illegal activity at Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) agencies.
Experts in the field of document identification and the
detection of counterfeit documents. Primary goal is to protect
the integrity of MVC issued identification documents. Of
particular interest are organized driver's license brokerage
rings. These rings employ a variety of measures, including
bribing MVC employees, to obtain New Jersey driver's licenses
for individuals not legally entitled to receive them. Many
customers of the brokerage rings obtain licenses in fictitious
identities, which can foster other criminal activity, such
as terrorism and identity theft. Members are also responsible
for large scale odometer fraud investigations, which continue
to defraud New Jersey consumers out of hundreds of thousands
of dollars.
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Fugitive Unit
The Fugitive Unit was established in January 1978. The mandated
responsibility of the unit is to conduct and assist in investigations
involving prison escapes and other wanted felons.
Throughout its 23 year history, the Fugitive Unit has been
the sole agency in New Jersey to coordinate the pursuit of
fugitives between the various levels of law enforcement charged
with the apprehension of wanted persons. The unit has initiated
and coordinated various fugitive roundups where the combined
efforts of state, federal, county, and local law enforcement
agencies have joined forces to apprehend hundreds of fugitives
from justice.
 The
unit continues to publish the New
Jersey's Twelve Most Wanted bulletin, which highlights
the State's most violent and dangerous fugitives. 25,000 copies
of the bulletin are sent to over 1,200 police agencies throughout
the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.
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Major Crime Unit
Investigates all homicides, kidnappings, and other serious
crimes which warrant the expertise of its highly trained personnel.
Unit members also assist federal, state, county and local
authorities in cooperative investigations, resulting in the
solution of homicides which might ordinarily go unsolved.
The advent of the 90's has introduced the Major Crime Unit
to the most ineffable murderer of all--the serial killer.
Unit members assisted international authorities on a multiple
murder and out of state authorities on an interstate multiple
murder investigation. In these two investigations 38 people
were murdered and all suspects involved have been arrested
and charged. A current investigation of a serial murderer
has resulted in a continued, cooperative, multi-state effort
at solving the murders. The Unit also receives numerous out
of state and federal requests for assistance in homicide investigations
with New Jersey connections. The Major Crime Unit provides
lectures and training in the proper care and evaluation of
crime scenes, evidence handling, case management, guidance
at autopsies, and assurance that all medico-legal aspects
of an investigation are covered.
The Unit is responsible for all investigations of shootings
involving serious injury or death to or by a State Police
member. The Unit has developed an expertise in deadly force
issues through its continual training and investigative experience.
The Major Crime Unit conducts an annual Homicide Investigation
Seminar at Princeton University. The Homicide Investigation
Seminar draws investigators from all 21 counties in New Jersey,
as well as investigators from law enforcement agencies throughout
the United States and Canada.
The New Jersey State Police Homicide Seminar provides training
in the medico-legal aspects of a homicide investigation and
teaches the modern scientific techniques available to the
homicide investigator. The networking of investigators that
has developed as a result of this seminar has had a positive
impact on the efficiency of homicide investigations statewide.
This seminar has become the premier homicide school in the
State of New Jersey.
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Cargo Theft and Robbery Unit
Responsible for the investigation of thefts and robberies
from major cargo storage facilities and commercial freight
carriers within the State of New Jersey. This includes all
commercial and industrial centers, air, sea, and rail terminals,
and the motor vehicles utilized for the transportation of
such cargo.
The Cargo Theft and Robbery Unit also maintains a statistical
record of cargo thefts and robberies which occur in the state,
and provides specialized assistance to municipal, county,
state and federal authorities to increase arrests, prosecution
and conviction of cargo thieves and fences.
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Polygraph Unit
The New Jersey State Police Polygraph Unit was initiated
in 1952. It consisted of one detective who was the first examiner
in the eastern United States. The value of polygraph was quickly
recognized which resulted in the Unit's quick growth to thirteen
members. The New Jersey State Police Polygraph Unit was the
sole agency in the state that conducted polygraphs for many
years.
Today, the Polygraph Unit conducts polygraph examinations
for federal, state, county and municipal law enforcement agencies.
The goal of the Unit is to provide the highest quality of
service to those agencies. Annually the Unit attains a confession
rate exceeding 80% from those that are examined and determined
as being deceptive. The Unit also maintains an annual inconclusive
rate of approximately 4%, which is well below the 20% national
average. Unit members further provide the service of statement
analysis. Statement analysis aids investigators in determining
the veracity of statements given by a victim, suspect or witness.
Many times interview strategies of subjects are rendered.
The Polygraph Unit's success rates are directly attributed
to the members' expertise in the art of interview and interrogation.
The five day Interview and Interrogation Course conducted
by Unit members remains one of the most requested specialized
schools at the State Police Academy in Sea Girt. The three
day course has been sponsored by the Middle
Atlantic-Great Lakes Organized Crime Law Enforcement Network
(MAGLOCLEN) and county police academies.
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Special Services
Bureau The mission of the units that comprise the
Special Services Bureau is, by their very nature, service
oriented as opposed to investigative or operational.
The Special Services Bureau is comprised of five (5) units;
These units provide unique investigative, technical and specialized
expert assistance to the various units, bureaus and sections
within the Division of State Police, as well as other federal,
state and local law enforcement agencies, upon request. Back
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Ballistics Unit
The Ballistics Unit is responsible for providing technical
service to all law enforcement agencies pertaining to firearms
used in the commission of a crime, including detailed microscopic
examination for discharged shells and bullets in relation
to submitted known samples, test firing weapons, conducting
distance determinations, restoration of serial numbers, and
entering data into National Integrated Ballistic Information
Network Computerized Imaging System. Additionally, members
of the Ballistics Unit respond to crime scenes to perform
bullet trajectories and offer expert crime scene reconstruction,
provide expert testimony in court and provide informational
support training and lectures to State Police training classes,
other law enforcement agencies, schools and civic groups.
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Composite Artist Unit
The Composite Artist Unit assists law enforcement with drawings,
sketches and computer images through interviews and other
information provided by law enforcement officials, victims
and witnesses in order to identify wanted, missing or other
unidentified persons. The members also create three dimensional
clay reconstructions of facial features from skeletal remains.
The Composite Artist Unit provides demonstrations and presentations
on the use of drawing and computers in investigations to law
enforcement agencies, civic groups and schools.
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Forensic Anthropology Unit
The Forensic Anthropology Unit is responsible for the forensic
anthropological examination and analysis of human skeletal
remains found in New Jersey to assist in establishing positive
identification.
This analysis involves, but is not limited to, the determination
and estimation of age, sex, race, stature, and other information
which may contribute to cause of death and identification.
The Unit also provides assistance in the search for and the
controlled excavation and recovery of buried, hidden or scattered
remains or other evidence. Additional assistance includes
completion of National Crime Information Center reports and
initial assessment of presumptive identification on the basis
of medical and dental records. The Unit also provides forensic
computer imaging such as photographic manipulation as well
as facial reconstructions of unidentified deceased and assistance
in facial composite drawings of unidentified remains based
upon analysis of the skull. The Unit is also responsible for
the secure, long-term curation (storage) and retrieval of
unidentified human skeletal remains.
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Forensic Photography Unit
The Forensic Photography Unit provides full service in the
area of photography, digital imaging and video production,
as well as support for the Mobile Video Recording Systems
currently in use in all patrol related vehicles within the
Division.
The Forensic Photography Unit is responsible for processing
various types of photographic film, digital images and video
for evidentiary use. The Unit is also capable of providing
technical support and assistance in the use of all facets
of photographic equipment, film, computer imaging, video (production,
surveillance, still imaging and duplication) and training,
as well as photographic applications involving evidence photography
(clothing, weapons, footprint impressions, altered writing,
etc.) in the laboratory using various types of alternate light
sources.
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Evidence Management Unit
The Evidence Management Unit is responsible for ensuring
that evidence submitted for examination is properly stored
and maintained at the regional laboratories. They provide
long term storage of evidence and tangible property. The Unit
provides for the distribution, disposal and destruction of
evidence upon completion of cases.
The Evidence Management Unit is also responsible for the duplication
of videotape evidence for courtroom presentation and discovery.
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Applicant
Investigation and Compliance Bureau The units are
responsible for conducting regulatory checks and investigations
in their respective areas of expertise. The Solid Hazardous
Waste Unit, the Firearms Investigation Unit and
the Private Detective Unit routinely perform compliance
checks to insure adherence to industry and New Jersey State
regulations as well as conducting background checks for licensing
purposes. The Horse Racing Unit investigates complaints
and conducts authorized checks of licensed farms in order
to maintain the integrity of the horse racing industry. The
Applicant Investigation Unit oversees the process for
selection to the State Police Academy once an individual has
made application.
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Solid Hazardous Waste Unit (SHWU)
Conducts confidential background investigations on individuals,
and business applicants seeking licensing in the solid and
hazardous waste industry. The investigations consist of character
and financial investigations on individuals and businesses
who will engage in the collection, transportation, storage,
or disposal of solid/hazardous waste materials. The Unit also
performs compliance investigations of already licensed waste
industry companies. These compliance investigations include,
financial audits, on-site inspections, and review of operational
practices. The Unit also collects, analyzes, and evaluates
intelligence information regarding individuals and organized
criminal activity, which may adversely affect the solid/hazardous
waste industry. When warranted, the Unit will conduct criminal
investigations into the illicit activities of individuals
operating within the industry.
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Firearms Investigation Unit (FIU)
The Firearms Unit in administering the state firearms control
laws, is required to promulgate standards and qualifications
for the manufacture and sale of firearms, as well as develop
forms for distribution to firearms dealers, police departments
and superior courts. A central repository of firearms information
relating to the acquisition of firearms in this state is maintained
by the Unit.
The Unit has absolute responsibility to investigate applicants
for a New Jersey license to retail, wholesale and manufacture
of firearms, and to investigate employees who will actively
engage in the sale or purchase of firearms. Each dealer, by
statute, is required to keep a record of the acquisition and
disposition of firearms. Unit detectives periodically inspect
these records to assure that the dealer is complying with
existing statutes, as well as regulations promulgated pursuant
to these statutes.
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Private Detective Unit (PDU)
Is responsible for the administration and enforcement of
all laws regulating the private detective industry, including
pursuers and private detective/security agencies and their
employees within the state of New Jersey.
Personnel in this Unit screen all applicants for licenses
in accordance with the Private Detective Act of 1939 and the
New Jersey Administrative Code. Unit personnel maintain files
and computer printouts of all licensed private detective agencies
and their employees, conduct inspections and audits of agencies,
and investigate complaints and violations of the Private Detective
Act, making arrests when necessary.
Private Detective licenses are issued for a two-year period,
whereupon they become renewable. There are more than 2,200
licensed private detective agencies in the state of New Jersey.
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Applicant Investigation Unit (AIU)
Is tasked with conducting all pre-employment background investigations
on candidates for the New Jersey State Police Academy. In
this capacity the Unit assists the Recruiting Unit and participates
with the strategic planning for each new State Police selection
process initiative. Unit members are an integral component
of all phases of the selection process between initial recruiting
of qualified candidates to acceptance to the Academy. The
Unit assists with the Written Examination, Physical Qualification
Test (PQT), Oral Assessment, Medical Examination, and Psychological
Evaluation. As a cost saving measure, applicants who pass
the PQT are fingerprinted at road stations by Unit members.
The Unit also coordinates with the Office of State Police
Affairs and Office of the Attorney General, concerning applicant
qualification issues. The Unit is further tasked with providing
requisite documents and forms necessary to prosecute the applicant
selection process, conducting pre-employment background investigation
on New Jersey residents in out of state law enforcement selection
processes and processing all applicant inquires by other federal,
state and local law enforcement agencies. Unit members make
up the Qualification Review Board (QRB). Applicants who are
deemed "Qualified" after the Background phase, undergo a medical
investigation by Unit Members.
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Horse Racing Unit (HRU)
Is responsible for initiating and investigating complaints
which violate N.J.S.A. 5:5-71, Title 5 of the Administrative
Code, and Title 13 Chapter 70 and 71 Law and Public Safety
Codes relative to Horse Racing.
Unit members investigate findings of foreign substances in
participating horses, allegations of race manipulation by
licensed participants as a result of illicit activities, pari-mutual
ticket frauds, as well as all cases of hidden ownership. The
unit conducts compliance investigations at licensed horse
farms located throughout the state of New Jersey.
The Unit also investigates criminal activity that occurs on
the grounds of the licensed pari-mutual wagering facilities
in the state. Any violations of the Racing Commission Rules
and Regulations that adversely affect the integrity of the
racing industry within the state of New Jersey will be investigated.
The Unit acts as a liaison between the New Jersey Racing Commission
investigators, the Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau (TRPB)
investigators and the United States Trotting Association (USTA)
investigators in order to maintain integrity throughout the
racing industry.
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