February 2026 | The New Jersey Police Chief Magazine 33
Implementation & Randomization
The schedule and planning of the stops were conducted with the Atlantic City and Pleasantville Police Departments, starting in November 2022 and ending in June 2024. A total of 1,423 drivers were stopped during this period, with just under half of these assigned to the experimental group. Two thirds of stops were conducted in Atlantic City and a third in Pleasantville.
The decision to use the protocol was determined by index cards, which were shuffled and given to the officers who conducted the stops. The officer drew a card from a stack of index cards each time they pulled over a driver for speeding. If the card was white, the officer delivered business-as-usual treatment. If the card drawn was colored, the officer was required to follow the EPJETS protocol.
Immediately after the official completion of the stop, the police officer informed the individual that a surveyor from Stockton University would like to ask questions about the interaction. If they agreed to participate, the officer would notify a research team member, who would approach the driver or pedestrian to explain the research and invite them to complete a survey. About 48 % of the experimental group and 63 % of the control group completed the survey.
Findings The results from the surveys indicated a positive impact of the EPJETS Protocol. The research team found that the EPJETS protocol not only enhances citizens’ perceptions of the police but also improves compliance with police directives and assistance in solving crimes and sharing information. Individuals who experienced the EPJETS protocol found police officers more professional compared to those who received business-as-usual treatment. They also demonstrated higher levels of trust, higher perceptions of police legitimacy, and increased support for traffic enforcement activities. Given that 85 % of police-initiated interactions in the US occur during traffic stops, agencies can leverage this protocol to enhance community relations.
The EPJETS model offers a new, evidence-based protocol for police departments. Key outcomes are as follows:
1. The EPJETS protocol has a positive impact on police-citizen interactions, enhancing trust and improving cooperation.
2. The protocol can be adapted and implemented by other law enforcement agencies, as supporting systems( e. g. procedural justice training) are either already in use or easily accessible to others.
3. It enhances perceptions of police transparency, as citizens can reflect on their actions and better understand the officer’ s response. This may, in turn, influence future compliance.
4. Officers may be more mindful of their behavior, knowing that the footage will be reviewed by supervisors and accessible to civilians.
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