Attorney General Jeff Chiesa says the new state police training class is the most racially diverse the agency has ever recruited.

NJ State Police
Jeff Zelevansky, Getty Images
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Chiesa told a Senate budget panel on Monday that the class of 132 would-be troopers is 17 percent black, 26 percent Hispanic and 6 percent Asian.

However, the attorney general acknowledged that the state police have to do better at recruiting women to the ranks. There are six women in the class that started Monday.

Trooper candidates undergo a 24-week residential training program at the state police academy in Sea Girt. Those who pass will get their badges in October.

Another training class of 175 is set to begin in June.

Chiesa says the state police should be reflective of the communities it serves.

 

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