A State Police detective from New Jersey, embroiled in controversy over suspected ties to white-supremacist movements and other misconduct, has been dismissed from his position.
Jason Dare found himself under scrutiny in March 2023, when a photo surfaced showing a neck tattoo with a phrase reminiscent of a Hitler Youth slogan. This revelation prompted the State Police to initiate an internal investigation, later taken over by the state attorney general’s office.
Dare was officially fired on November 27 for various incidents of “questionable conduct.” Officials substantiated charges against him for conflicts of interest and inappropriate social media posts, primarily related to his visible tattoos linked to racist ideologies, according to a spokesperson for the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General (OAG).
The discipline report from State Police highlighted several concerning incidents involving Dare. He fired a shotgun round through the front window of his home and violated a previous plea agreement for misconduct by leaving a medical facility without notifying State Police. He then entered an unoccupied home in Pennsylvania.
The OAG has not disclosed further details about the shooting or trespassing incidents or whether Dare faces any criminal charges.
Dare’s termination stemmed from multiple violations, including going AWOL (absent without official leave), abusing sick leave, disobeying a written order, making false statements, violating uniform and grooming standards, and mishandling a firearm.
A controversial photo of Dare revealed a tattoo on his neck reading “Blood Honor,” a phrase associated with the Hitler Youth and later adopted by an international coalition of racist skinhead gangs, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center. Additionally, Dare had tattoos of an iron cross and a pit bull, similar to symbols used by a Pennsylvania white-supremacist group, according to POLITICO.
Dare gained notoriety in March 2023 after he was reported missing from a medical facility in Pennsylvania. During the search, State Police shared photos of Dare, including one showing his “Blood Honor” tattoo. He was eventually found, but the tattoo sparked further investigation into his potential connections to hate groups.
State Police regulations prohibit officers from having visible neck tattoos, which Dare violated.
Dare joined the State Police in 2004. State Police did not respond to Patch’s request for comment in time for initial publication.
New Jersey introduced a statewide system for licensing officers in 2022, allowing the Police Training Commission to decertify officers for active membership in hate groups, among other reasons. While it is unclear if Dare was part of any groups prohibited under the 2022 law, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin emphasized that the licensing process aims to hold officers accountable.
“The vast majority of law enforcement officers work hard to build and nurture trust with the communities we serve,” Platkin said via a spokesperson. “When members of law enforcement are perceived to be associated with groups espousing hate or discrimination, it destroys that trust and jeopardizes the safety of our residents and officers.”
For the past few years, New Jersey law-enforcement agencies have been required to disclose whether any officers faced “major discipline,” including terminations, demotions, or suspensions of more than five days. Dare’s termination was listed in a report detailing such punishments for State Police officers in 2023.
