Trenton Councilman George Muschal's comments prompted some residents to suggest that he resign
TRENTON -- A Trenton councilman on Monday said he's not backing away from comments that suggested that the pool of qualified police applicants in the city is so small because so many have criminal records.
"I am all for inner-city youths coming forward to get a career in law enforcement, but the problem is the majority of them have (criminal) records and they are not qualified to become an officer," South Ward Councilman George Muschal told The Trentonian in a story Saturday about the police department's recruiting drive.
File photo of South Ward Councilman George Muschal (Martin Griff | Times of Trenton) His comments provoked outrage from some residents who called for his resignation.
"Muschal's comments would be troubling from an ordinary citizen but are especially revolting coming from a former police officer and current Trenton city councilman," Jerell Blakeley said. "His comments crystalize some of the retrograde beliefs that too many leaders believe but are savvy enough to keep quiet and show how far we have to go in improving police-community relationships."
He said Muschal should apologize to the "overwhelming majority of young Trentonians who don't have a record" and take cultural sensitivity classes.
"If he doesn't do this immediately, I demand that he resign," Blakeley said. "Trenton has forgiven George several times from making divisive and demeaning comments and it's time that he lives up to his own standard and admits he screwed up and be done as an elected official."
Muschal, who was a city cop for 38 years, told NJ Advance Media on Monday that the city has struggled to find qualified applicants.
"A lot of them are thrown out because they have criminal records," he said, repeating what he has heard from Police Academy staff. "They can't find anybody because the majority of them have criminal records."
Muschal said that while people deserve second chances, they should never be hired over applicants who have clean records.
"I think (the police department) should be shooting for the stars, for the best they can get," whether they come from the city or a neighboring township, he said. "Are you going to give the guy who was locked up for armed robbery a second chance to become a cop or give it to the guy who was never convicted of a crime?
"People deserve a second chance, absolutely," he continued. "But you have to pick and choose what second chance you're going to give them and for what job."
Muschal said he knows people who would be qualified, but have no desire to become a police officer.
The department's most recent recruiting efforts have been focused on attracting city residents to the job, but officials have never said that the hiring standards would be lowered.
"There are many qualified individuals within the City of Trenton who we would love to have consider this position," Police Director Ernest Parrey, Jr. said Monday. "Law enforcement is not always a favorite choice in the inner city, but we're looking to change that.
"What better way for the community to take control of its community than for the community to involve itself in the law enforcement profession," he continued. "That is the best way. It is the way you say, 'I care about what's going on in my community and I'm going to strive to make it a better place.'"
Applications are being accepted through Aug. 31 on the state's Civil Service Commission website, state.nj.us/csc.
Cristina Rojas may be reached at crojas@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @CristinaRojasTT. Find NJ.com on Facebook.