By: Richard L. Smith
Friday marked the release of a comprehensive report by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office (MCPO) detailing the findings of an investigation into the conduct of Leonard Guida, the former Chief of Police of the Bradley Beach Police Department.
The investigation, conducted by the MCPO's Professional Responsibility Unit (PRU), was initiated following an anonymous complaint and spans incidents from July 2022 through November 2023.
Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago, invoking authority under Section 9.6.1 of the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General Internal Affairs Policy & Procedures, has made the decision to make the findings public.
Click HERE for the full Internal Affairs report.
The report details 28 sustained findings against Chief Guida, including 24 violations of the Bradley Beach Police Department Rules and Regulations, two violations of the OAG IAP&P, and one violation each of the Bradley Beach Employee Handbook, Personnel, and Policy Manual, and the MCPO Early Intervention System Directive.
The investigation, initially focused on two incidents, expanded after a November 2023 event involving Guida and Sgt—William Major, leading to an additional sustained finding against Major.
Prosecutor Santiago emphasized the importance of transparency in the decision to release the report, highlighting that the findings reveal Chief Guida as a significant impediment to the department he was supposed to lead.
Despite the negative findings against Guida and Major, Prosecutor Santiago praised the professionalism and diligence of the Bradley Beach Police Department's members, insisting that the actions of one individual should not tarnish the department's overall reputation.
The report has been made public with limited redactions, primarily to protect the identities of complainants, witnesses, informants, victims, and cooperators and to safeguard personal privacy expectations.
Santiago noted that the investigation owed much to the courage of department members who came forward, often with apprehension, to contribute to the inquiry.
Chief Guida's retirement was announced to be effective as of today, bringing a close to his tenure amidst the fallout from the investigation's findings.
The release of the report stands as a significant move towards maintaining transparency and accountability within law enforcement agencies.