Councilmember Theodore Holloway of Paulsboro, New Jersey, found himself at the center of controversy following a bodycam video released from a traffic stop on January 4. Holloway was pulled over by police for allegedly rolling through a stop sign and for having expired vehicle registration. However, what became the focal point of the incident was Holloway’s reaction to being pulled over, which involved a string of defensive remarks, threats, and claims of authority over the officers involved in the stop.
As the officer approached his vehicle, Holloway quickly escalated the situation, making it clear that he was not pleased with being stopped. “You act like I’m running around here with my fing gun totting, weed smoking,” he began, addressing the officer in a tone that was both defensive and combative. He further asserted his authority by stating, “I’m the one that hired you. I bring you on,” referencing his position as an elected official and suggesting that the officer should have known better than to pull him over.
The officer, visibly taken aback, questioned Holloway’s statement by asking, “Really?” Holloway repeated his claim with increased intensity, “Yes! Absolutely. On your camera,” emphasizing that his involvement in local government meant he had a hand in hiring officers, including the one who had stopped him.
As the bodycam footage continued, Holloway continued to assert his power, pointing out that the officer had pulled over an elected official and not just an average citizen. “You’re pulling over your boss,” he said, referencing his position as a member of the Paulsboro Council. Holloway’s frustration grew as he expressed that this stop was inappropriate, emphasizing that his political position meant that the officers should have known who he was and treated him accordingly.
In addition to his repeated assertions of power, Holloway threatened to take the matter up with higher authorities. “Don’t think I ain’t going talk to Gary about that s ,” he warned, referencing Gary Kille, the police chief of Paulsboro. The officer, attempting to diffuse the situation, responded by asking, “What does that have to do with anything?” to which Holloway responded defiantly, “It’s got a lot to do with it.”
At this point, the first officer who had pulled him over acknowledged that Holloway had stopped, though the officer still cited him for the expired vehicle registration, which had been overdue since July 2024. Holloway did not appear to accept this citation gracefully, but the situation eventually concluded with the officer allowing him to leave without any further escalation over the stop sign violation.
Despite his strong words during the incident, Holloway’s actions have raised questions about the role of elected officials in law enforcement interactions, especially when their authority is invoked in such a manner. The bodycam footage presents a stark contrast between an elected official’s perceived entitlement and the realities of law enforcement, where even those in positions of power are not immune from the law.
As of now, Holloway has not publicly commented on the incident, and it remains to be seen whether his conduct during the traffic stop will result in any further scrutiny or disciplinary action from his colleagues or local authorities. Regardless, the footage serves as a reminder of the complex dynamics at play when public figures are involved in routine law enforcement encounters.
