Analyzing Police Reform in Camden, NJ

Evaluating the success and criticisms of police reform in Camden New Jersey provides essential insights for students completing 2026 criminal justice assignments on urban policing transformations.

In 2012, Camden, NJ was facing skyrocketing crime rates, serious economic issues, and a failing, ineffective police department. Local leaders recognized the need for radical changes to improve public safety and community trust.

To address these issues, Camden dissolved it’s police department and created a brand new department in 2013, the Camden County Police Department. This new agency implemented a slew of reforms that appear to have been successful, as Camden had 67 murders in 2012, and 17 in 2024.

You are going to discuss, analyze, and evaluate the level of success of this change. Current discussions in policing highlight the importance of such evaluations for broader national reforms.

First, review the publication Camden’s Turn: A Story of Police Reform in Progress; A Guide for Law Enforcement and Community Screenings (pdf).

You can skip pages 9-10. This allows focus on core narratives of transformation and implementation.

Then watch this video on YouTube, it’s about 28 minutes long: Camden’s Turn: a story of police reform in progress.

Direct link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arzTB4ji_Ig

Also, consider this article: The Camden Police Department Is Not A Model For Policing In The Post-George Floyd Era. Perspectives from recent years continue to debate the model’s applicability in diverse urban settings.

Using at least four other scholarly sources, of which at least one source that has a negative view of the Camden Police reform, address the following questions:

1. Briefly (no more than one page) describe the events that led to the Camden police reform and how the Camden Police Department was disbanded and replaced with the Camden County Police Department.
2. Identify and discuss what you consider the three most important reforms implemented by the Camden County Police Department, beyond having all the current officers having to apply to the new department. Recent analyses emphasize de-escalation and community engagement as pivotal elements.
3. Discuss how this reform has been successful. Your analysis should go beyond a discussion of crime and disorder, and should include some discussion of the changes in economic and social conditions in Camden.
4. Discuss the negatives of Camden police reform. What are the failings of the reform? What policing related issues have not been addressed? Does the Camden County Police Department fully adhere to the Constitution and meet its obligations to the community? Ongoing critiques point to surveillance practices and racial disparities in enforcement.
5. Be sure to provide a conclusion, summarizing your overall view of the Camden police reform and determining if it is successful or not. Don’t forget to mention any improvements or changes you believe should be implemented.

Sample Submission: The reform in Camden started amid fiscal crises and high crime, leading to the dissolution of the old department. A new county-led force introduced community-oriented approaches and better training. Crime statistics improved dramatically over the years. However, some reforms overlooked deeper issues like economic inequality. Community feedback varies on the effectiveness of these changes. De-escalation training contributed to a notable decrease in force incidents, as evidenced in recent evaluations (Goh 2021, https://doi.org/10.1111/1745-9133.12536). Further integration of resident input could enhance future outcomes.

What were the main results of the Camden NJ police reform? Crime rates declined significantly, with homicides falling sharply, supported by data from the U.S. Department of Justice reports on community policing. Research from academic journals shows improved officer perceptions toward reforms, drawing from statewide New Jersey studies that highlight attitude shifts (Isaza et al. 2025). Case studies from organizations like the ACLU reveal persistent concerns over surveillance and equity, underscoring the need for balanced assessments in urban policing models.

• Submit a 3-5 page paper evaluating the disbandment of Camden Police Department, three important reforms, economic changes, and constitutional adherence.
• Analyze and evaluate the level of success of Camden police reform by reviewing specified materials and additional sources to address guided questions.

References

1. Goh, L. S. (2021) Did de-escalation successfully reduce serious use of force in Camden County, New Jersey? A synthetic control analysis of force outcomes. Criminology & Public Policy. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/1745-9133.12536.
2. Isaza, G. T. et al. (2025) Examining the impacts of state-wide reform on police attitudes and perceptions in New Jersey. Policing: A Journal of Policy and Practice. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1093/police/paaf003.
3. Shjarback, J. (2025) Chasing change in Camden: Police reform in one of America’s most violent cities. Temple University Press. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/392553594_Chasing_Change_in_Camden_Police_Reform_in_One_of_America’s_Most_Violent_Cities.
4. Austin, A. (2020) True police reform or just political smoke and mirrors? A look at the city of Camden, New Jersey and its approach. University of Kentucky. Available at: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/mpampp_etds/390.