Documents obtained from state records reveal that a New Jersey state trooper, Jason Dare, was terminated following an internal investigation related to his tattoos associated with white supremacist ideology.
The investigation, overseen by the state Office of Public Integrity and Accountability, concluded that Trooper Dare violated State Police policies regarding social media usage and conflicts of interest due to his visible tattoos linked to racist groups.
Dare, who could not be reached for comment, gained public attention in March 2023 when he disappeared from a medical facility in Media, Pennsylvania. His disappearance prompted a multi-day search, with the New Jersey State Police issuing a public alert treating it as a missing persons case.
Concerns about Dare’s tattoos arose on social media platforms, particularly Twitter and Reddit, where users flagged his “Blood Honor” neck tattoo, a phrase associated with white supremacist groups. Further scrutiny of Dare’s social media accounts revealed additional tattoos, including iron crosses on his wrists and imagery associated with a Pennsylvania skinhead group.
Despite the attention drawn to Dare’s tattoos, the State Police later deleted their posts on the matter. Following his reappearance, the state Attorney General’s office took over the internal investigation into Dare.
While authorities have not provided further details about Dare’s disappearance, a recent report from the State Police detailing major disciplinary cases confirmed Dare’s termination. The report outlined various policy violations by Dare, including leaving a medical facility without notification, entering an unoccupied residence without permission, and discharging a firearm without cause.
Although the report did not specifically mention Dare’s tattoos, it listed a range of policy violations he committed, including making false statements, unauthorized absence, misuse of sick time, insubordination, mishandling firearms, and breaching uniform standards.
In response to inquiries, a spokesperson for the Attorney General confirmed Dare’s termination but did not address potential criminal charges or the circumstances surrounding his disappearance. Additionally, State Police officials declined to comment on the matter.
Attorney General Matthew Platkin emphasized that there is no tolerance for hate within law enforcement, stating that such associations undermine trust and safety within communities.