State Police Chief Fired for Remarks

Gov. Christine Todd Whitman fired the head of the New Jersey State Police after he said in a newspaper interview that minority groups were more likely to be involved in drug trafficking. Whitman said State Police Supt. Col. Carl Williams’ comments “are inconsistent with our efforts to enhance public confidence in the State Police.” In an interview with the Star-Ledger of Newark, Williams said he did not condone racial profiling, but said it is naive to think race is not an issue in drug crimes. Williams, 58, was not immediately available for comment.