Police officials in Newark suspended four Newark police officers, including one officer who was arrested, after they were allegedly involved in a brawl at a private party, Newark police said Monday.
Poice say the incident happened at the Allure Night Club when an off-duty Newark police detective got into an altercation with an employee at the bar.
The incident involved several punches being thrown and a scuffle according to reports. Police would not release the official cause of the altercation, but sources say the conflict escalated when the bar employee and the police detective argued over a birthday cake.
The Newark Department of Public Safety would not confirm the alleged misconduct, stating instead that the incident is being investigated by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and the Newark Police Division’s Office of Professional Standards
All four officers were suspended indefinitely, effective Saturday, without pay, Director Ambrose said.
According to WPIX-11 NYC the suspended officers were identified by Director of Public Safety, Anthony Ambrose as:
**Officer Czezre Adams,** of Precinct 5
**Detective Dwayne Mays, Jr.** of the Major Crimes and Narcotics Unit
**Officer Maurice McKelvin**, of the Specials Operations Division
**Detective Zaynah Pickett** of the Special Enforcement Division and Guns, Drugs and Gangs Unit
The New York News outlet said police identified Pickett as the police officer who was arrested Friday, and she faces assault charges.
The Department of Public Safety released a statement admonishing the officer's actions, saying that the Newark Police Department will not tolerate officer misconduct.
“The officers involved have three years on the job and will be dealt with accordingly. I will not tolerate officers grossly neglecting or violating the law or behaving in a disorderly manner whether on or off duty. Although these officers conducted themselves in a manner contrary to the standard, the majority of Newark police officers work hard and strive for excellence,” Ambrose said.