In an executive directive issued Aug. 5, acting Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin established the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion within the Department of Law and Public Safety to be led by the department's longtime DEI champion, Lora Fong.

Fong, an assistant attorney general, has served as a member of the attorney general's executive leadership team since 2016 as chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer, a position that was created, and that Fong was hired to filled, by then-Attorney General Christopher Porrino.

During Fong's time, the department has established six employee resource groups, including for women, military, Black, Asian, Latino/Hispanic, and LGBTQ+ employees, and their allies, the announcement noted.

"As the Department of Law and Public Safety has broad oversight of the State's legal and law enforcement matters, we recognize how important it is that the Department reflects the diversity of the more than 9 million New Jersey residents we are sworn to serve," Platkin said in a statement.

The department is comprised of 18 divisions and roughly 7,700 employees.

According to the directive, the new office will be responsible for the overarching strategy, oversight, and implementation of DEI initiatives in the department.

"By formally establishing this Office," stated Platkin, "we further demonstrate our commitment to an organizational culture that values and facilitates diversity, equity, and inclusion and that enables transparency and accountability, which in turn will help us advance our goals for a more representative Department."

Fong in a statement said: "Transforming a culture takes top-down commitment and resources, and I thank Acting Attorney General Platkin for his leadership and dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion."

According to Platkin's directive, New Jersey is one of the most racially and ethnically diverse states in the nation, according to the 2020 U.S. Census, and he believes his department must be intentional and proactive in fostering DEI.

Fong said Platkin "has made diversity a priority in the appointments of his executive team and division leadership and the changes announced today will solidify our efforts to infuse equity and inclusion in the Department's DNA."

Platkin also released the 2021 year-end report containing demographic data on the race and ethnicity of the department, including law enforcement, attorney and civilian roles, as well as the 2021 DEI plans for each of his department's divisions.

"The creation of this office reflects the commitment of Acting Attorney General Matt Platkin to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion by building capacity and resources in support of the transformative work that Assistant Attorney General Lora Fong has begun," said Jayné Johnson, director of the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in the Governor's Office. "I look forward to continuing to partner with her, as we work to ensure that our state government is stronger, fairer, and more equitable."