Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II, West Caldwell Police Chief and Roseland Police Captain Richard Costello announced today that a Roseland police officer has been arrested on twenty-one (21) charges including Aggravated Sexual Assault, Endangering the Welfare of a Minor, and Witness Tampering.
Officials said Mr. Richard Haffner, 43, of West Caldwell, was taken into custody today without incident. He is alleged to have committed the assaults against a single juvenile victim between April 2019 and February 2021.
According to Assistant Prosecutor Jeffrey Conrad, who is handling the case, the assaults are believed to have occurred while the defendant was off-duty.
Prosecutor Stephens praised the Roseland Police Department and the West Caldwell Police Department for their assistance with the investigation.
The joint investigation by the Essex County Prosecutor’s office and the West Caldwell and Roseland police departments also resulted in an unrelated charge against Haffner for engaging in prostitution as a patron. Law enforcement is requesting that anyone who may have information pertaining to either matter contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit at 973-753-1130.
These are accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they enter a guilty plea or are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.