JACKSON TWP., NJ – Jackson Township council candidate Chris Pollak, a former self-styled New York vigilante known as “Dark Guardian,” is under fire after resurfaced interviews and videos show him making critical remarks about police and supporting reforms associated with the “Defund the Police” movement.
Pollak, who gained notoriety patrolling New York City streets as part of a civilian “real-life superhero” group, has drawn sharp criticism from local law enforcement supporters who accuse him of holding anti-police views.
Pollak, who said he applied for, and claims he was accepted by the NYPD, instead chose a path of superhero crime fighting in NYC, eventually becoming disenfranchised with policing and the criminal justice system.
The comments, which span more than a decade, show a complex relationship with policing — at times critical of officer conduct and criminalization practices, while calling for stronger community policing and reform of non-violent crime policies.
Key Points
- Chris Pollak, known as “Dark Guardian,” made public remarks criticizing policing practices and drug laws
- Videos and photos show his participation in “Defund the Police”-related events in New York City, such as marching in the NYC Pride parade with a far-left group “Fags Fight Back”. Until 2025, the NYC Pride Parade barred NYC police officers from marching in the parade, because of parade organizers closely aligning with the Defund the Police Movement.
- Pollak defends comments as calls for systemic reform, not attacks on Jackson or New Jersey police
From street patrols to political controversy
Before entering politics, Pollak gained attention through his role as “Dark Guardian,” a costumed activist who patrolled New York neighborhoods to deter street crime. During that time, he frequently commented on police inaction and distrust between officers and residents.
In a resurfaced clip, Pollak said: “People don’t want to talk to the police. Maybe it’s because they see a story every day of a cop beating someone. We’re here to bridge that gap between citizens and law enforcement.”
Pollak said he will decriminalize all but the most serious of violent crimes
In a March 2025 interview posted to YouTube with We Are Libertarians, Pollak made several direct criticisms of police practices, effectiveness, and public perception. This resurfaced during his 2025 council campaign, drawing backlash in pro-law enforcement Jackson Township. Key quotes include:
- “I don’t think the police are doing anything.” (Criticizing perceived inaction.)
- “I think there’s definitely a lot of good police officers out there, but there’s definitely some bad.” (Acknowledging variability but highlighting “bad” officers.)
- “When people see the police, a lot of times they’re not happy. When a lot of people see the police coming around, they’re worried more about getting a ticket or getting in trouble than feeling safe or protected.” (Suggesting police evoke fear rather than security.)
- “I think there’s a lot of bad stigmata around the police, and I don’t know how they can change that.” (Pointing to negative societal views.)
- On criminal justice: “If you’re doing something violent, absolutely 100%, you need to be behind bars. But if you’re doing something non-violent that’s not truly hurting somebody, I don’t think we should put those people in the system.” (Critiquing arrests for non-violent crimes like drug offenses.)
- “I’m not in total agreement with some of the drug laws that there might be out there. I think there’s a lot of people who maybe just need more help than they do need to actually be locked up.” (Questioning punitive drug policies enforced by police.)
While those remarks were originally tied to community policing efforts in New York City, they have been recirculated during his Jackson council campaign and framed by opponents as anti-law enforcement rhetoric.
Ties to “Defund the Police” movement
He has said repeatedly that his views center on changing “systemic failures,” including overcriminalization and the incarceration of non-violent offenders. “If you’re doing something violent, absolutely you need to be behind bars,” Pollak said in the 2025 published interview. “But if you’re doing something non-violent, we need to look at whether punishment is the right solution.”
Pollak has never denied his statements, or his involvement with those Defund the Police linked groups, saying his comments were taken out of context. At one point, he said the audio was either AI generated or taken out of context.
2025 podcast comments reignite debate
In March 2025,the On The Run Podcast published a Pollak interview that later resurfaced on social media, reigniting criticism. In it, he said many people “don’t feel safe” around police and that officers often act only after crimes occur. “When people see police, they’re more worried about getting a ticket than feeling protected,” he said.
After the clip spread online, Pollak told followers his comments were directed at systemic issues in New York City policing, not the Jackson Police Department specifically. “I have nothing but respect for our local officers,” he said. “My comments were about improving the relationship between the community and the police, not tearing it down.”
It didn’t sound that way. It sounded like Pollak believed his vigilante superhero troupe were doing the job the police didn’t want to do, keeping the streets clean, by confronting drug dealers.
Local reaction and campaign response
The remarks have fueled sharp debate in Jackson, a township with strong pro-police sentiment. Pollak’s opponent, Councilman Al Couceiro, has used the comments in campaign materials portraying Pollak as hostile to law enforcement.
“There’s definitely a lot of hesitation between everyday citizens and the cops. Nobody wants to talk to them,” Pollak said. “I would suspect that it has something to do with the fact that you’re hearing every day a cop beat up another kid, a cop beat up another woman.”
Couceiro, a lifelong volunteer firefighter and chief of the Jackson EMS said he will never turn his back on the Jackson Police Department if elected, criticizing Pollak’s past harsh criticisms and claims about police.
“When you look at what a lot of the police do, they’re reactive. Somebody gets murdered, somebody gets robbed, and then the police react after,” Pollak said about the police.
As Election Day approaches, the controversy continues to test how New Jersey voters balance calls for police reform with support for traditional law enforcement — a divide that remains one of the most volatile issues in local politics across the state.
Couceiro later responded to Pollak’s attacks on cops.