A New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice detective is seeking $1.5 million from the state after what he alleged were years of anti-gay harassment, a sexual assault by a supervisor and retaliation inside the Attorney General’s Office.
Russell Kingsland, 33, filed a notice of tort claim Aug. 25 alleging that supervisors repeatedly targeted him because he is gay and that the office failed to adequately respond to his complaints. A notice of tort claim is required before someone can file a lawsuit against a New Jersey public agency.
Kingsland said he wants other law enforcement officers to understand that discrimination toward the LGBTQ+ community remains a problem within police departments.
“This culture of discrimination and hatred toward LGBT+ people in law enforcement is still very alive and active,” Kingsland said.
According to the notice, two supervisors questioned Kingsland about his sexuality in November 2022. One allegedly asked whether Kingsland found him attractive and another allegedly asked what he planned to tell his father. Kingsland said the questions ultimately led him to disclose his sexuality to coworkers and family.
“I was a very good detective, being one of the most productive in the agency, and reduced to being the ‘gay one’ made me feel inferior,” he said. “I was robbed of my ability to pick my time and place to come out.”
He alleges that on Jan. 19, 2023, one of those supervisors sexually assaulted him at the Richard J. Hughes Justice Complex in Trenton. Kingsland said he immediately told a deputy attorney general, who advised him to contact police or internal affairs. He said he did not report the incident at the time because he feared further exposure of his sexuality and retaliation.
Kingsland later alleged the same supervisor confronted him at an indoor firing range at Fort Dix, where the supervisor used homophobic slurs and blocked his exit while carrying a firearm.
Kingsland said he began documenting the alleged harassment after repeatedly seeking help from a supervisor. In Aug. 2024, he filed a complaint with internal affairs.
“I had literally reached a breaking point, and removal from that environment was my only way out,’’ Kingsland said.
On May 28, 2025, internal affairs removed him from duty and took his firearm, according to the notice. Kingsland said the experience ended his law enforcement career.
“My entire identity was being the best police officer I could be, and in a matter of hours that was gone forever,” he said.
Kingsland remains suspended, according to his attorney, Patrick Toscano Jr., who said the agency is seeking his termination. Kingsland plans to appeal the disciplinary actions.
Toscano said the alleged retaliation and harassment occurred during former Attorney General Matthew Platkin’s tenure, not under current Attorney General Jennifer Davenport. He said the legal team hopes Kingsland will be reinstated to his position with the Attorney General’s Office and receive back pay and other damages.
The Attorney General’s Office declined to comment.
Kingsland worked for the Attorney General’s Office since May 2016, investigating organized crime, narcotics, weapons and violent offenses.
