A Trenton police detective has been indicted on multiple criminal charges tied to an alleged unlawful use of force and false statements.
Mercer County Prosecutor Janetta D. Marbrey announced that a grand jury returned a five-count indictment against Aaron Bernstein, 51, of Marlboro, following testimony presented on April 16, 2026.
The indictment alleges Bernstein used pepper spray on a Trenton man in violation of state use-of-force guidelines and later made false statements in a criminal complaint filed against the man.
According to prosecutors, Bernstein is charged with two counts of second-degree official misconduct, as well as third-degree charges of perjury, aggravated assault, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
The case was referred to the prosecutor’s office in December 2024 by the Trenton Police Department’s Internal Affairs Unit.
Authorities allege the charges stem from a May 10, 2022 incident involving a 27-year-old Trenton man. Investigators say Bernstein improperly deployed pepper spray during the encounter, in violation of the New Jersey Attorney General’s Use of Force Policy.
Prosecutors further allege Bernstein then filed charges against the man — including obstructing the administration of law and resisting arrest — and certified statements he knew to be false in connection with the incident.
At the time, Bernstein was a 19-year veteran of the Trenton Police Department and held the rank of detective.
Despite the charges, Bernstein is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
