POP Condemns Carl Dorsey Court Decision
PEOPLE’S ORGANIZATION FOR PROGRESS (POP)
PO BOX 22505
NEWARK, NJ 07101
(973) 801-0001.
www.njpop.org
CONTACT: LAWRENCE HAMM
SEPTEMBER 10, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE
RIGHTS GROUP CONDEMNS RULING IN CARL DORSEY POLICE BRUTALITY CASE
The People’s Organization For Progress has condemned a recent ruling by a federal district court judge in the case of Carl Dorsey who was killed by police in Newark, New Jersey.
It was reported yesterday by NJ.comthat U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton ruled that the City of Newark could not be held liable for Dorsey’s death under federal law.
The judge rejected claims by attorneys representing Tamara Fong, administrator of Dorsey’s estate and guardian of his three children, that the city tolerated use of excessive force and failed to properly train its officers.
“Once again Carl Dorsey and his family have been denied justice. First, the failure of the system to bring charges against the officer who killed him and now this,” Lawrence Hamm, Chairman, People’s Organization For Progress stated.
“I am outraged by Judge Wigenton’s decision. Once again it appears that there are no consequences when a policeman takes the life of an innocent man. This is an abominable decision,” Hamm said.
Mr Dorsey was shot and killed by Rod Simpkins, a Newark police detective, four years ago on January 1, 2021 in Newark, New Jersey. It was also revealed that officers did not provide medical assistance.
“Carl Dorsey was unarmed and had not committed any crime when he was shot and killed by Detective Simpkins,” he said.
Dorsey’s killing sparked protests from family members, Newark residents, and anti-violence and anti-police brutality groups including the People’s Organization For Progress (POP).
POP is a volunteer, grassroots organization that works for racial, social, and economic justice that was established in 1982. It has organized around urban issues including police brutality.
The group has organized many demonstrations against police killings, use of excessive force, corruption, and violation of victims constitutional rights. It has advocated for reforms and radical change in policing.
“In her ruling it seems that the judge is saying that since the Newark Police Department has been under a consent decree and has shown improvement in its policies and practices and that somehow this should exempt it from being held accountable for Mr Dorsey’s death,” Hamm said.
“Because there has been improvement does not necessarily mean the problem has been eliminated,” he said.
“This is like saying because the U.S. passed the Civil Rights Act and Barak Obama, a Black man, was elected president that racial discrimination no longer exists or people should not be prosecuted for it,” he said.
“Police brutality continues to exist in Newark, in New Jersey, and in the United States. In fact it is getting worse in this country, not better,” he said.
Hamm said the police killed more people in the U.S. last year than in any year since they started keeping statistics on the problem.
“To add insult to injury many police brutality cases never make it to trial and when they do only an infinitesimal number result in a conviction and that police officer going to prison,” he said.
“Many of us believe that police will continue to unjustly kill people as long as they know they are probably going to get away with it, that the system will protect them, and that there will be no price to pay for the taking of an innocent life,” he said.
“Judge Wigenton’s decision in the Dorsey case will only reinforce this belief,” he said.
For more information please call the People’s Organization For Progress at (973) 801-0001.
