Authorities today announced the suspension of a 2-year veteran for violating police department rules and regulations.
After a routine audit conducted by a division Integrity Control Officer earlier this year, the 27-year-old officer was observed stopping a motorist to issue a traffic ticket. During the stop, the officer failed to arrest the driver after the police car’s computer alerted the officer that the driver had a warrant for their arrest.
The Integrity Control Officer immediately initiated an investigation. The investigation revealed that the officer had stopped several other motorists who had arrest warrants but were only issued traffic tickets.
The investigation was concluded with the officer being charged with several violations of department rules and regulations. Director Ambrose immediately suspended the officer for six months after a departmental hearing today. When the officer returns from his suspension in January he will be sent for additional training.
“I will not tolerate officers taking shortcuts or failing to do their job,” Director Ambrose said. “The majority of our officers work extremely hard and risk their lives daily doing so. This young officer needs to accept his discipline and return to work with a compliant and positive work ethic. If he doesn’t, there is no room for him in the Newark Police Division.”
The department initiated a pilot program in April of this year in which Panasonic donated 80 body-worn cameras and 15 dashboard cameras to equip officers and cars in the city’s 5th Precinct.
The Police Division also re-instituted the use of Integrity Control Officers earlier this year. The Integrity Control Officers are superior officers who are assigned to monitor the activities of police personnel using a proactive approach. They conduct audits and monitor police personnel activities and behavio rs with the goal of identifying and correcting issues prior to them becoming problems.
Director Ambrose said, “I believe in transparency and keeping the public informed. The cameras and our Integrity Control Officers are aiding us in ensuring that the members of the police division perform their duties lawfully and in compliance with department rules and regulations. We will continue to monitor our personnel with the goal of increasing public trust, while raising the standard of customer service we provide to the public.”
The Federal Monitor was advised of the investigation and the disciplinary action taken.
The officer’s name will not be released because of administrative reasons.