End To Bridgewater Police-Mall Saga Delayed As Court Ruling Awaited

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — It's been a year since the Attorney General completed its investigation on the Bridgewater police officers handling of a mall fight in 2022. However, the saga continues as officials await the outcome of a court hearing involving one of the two officers in the Feb. 12, 2022 mall incident.

On April 12, the Somerset County Prosector's Office(SCPO) received a subpoena from Bridgewater Police Officer Adam Giurlando's attorney seeking two specific documents - the Use of Force Report authored by Dr. Celeste and the report authored by First Assistant Somerset County Prosecutor Brian Stack.

On July 12, the SCPO filed a motion to quash in Somerset County Superior Court against Giurlando who could face disciplinary action for his involvement in the Feb. 12, 2022 mall incident. Read More: Motion Filed Against Bridgewater Cop Involved In Mall Investigation

On Aug. 9, Raymond J. Stine of Schaffer Shain Jalloh, who is representing Giurlando, filed a cross-motion to enforce its subpoena from April 12 requesting the two documents.

The motion for the subpoena and the cross-motion to enforce the subpoena will now be heard in court on Oct. 17.

The township is awaiting the outcome of the court ruling to determine if any disciplinary action will be taken against Giurlando and Officer Brittany MacDonald.

"The parties and the hearing officer are awaiting the court ruling concerning the officer’s subpoena for certain documents from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office," according to a Bridgewater Township Official.

The New Jersey Office of the Attorney General also confirmed that "there is nothing new to share on the Bridgewater Commons incident at this time," said Deputy Director of Communications Michael Symons.

The incident in question went viral nationally when it was recorded by body-worn cameras and mall patrons outside Bloomingdale’s at the mall just after 7 p.m. on Feb. 12, 2022. Read More: Cops Criticized After Stopping Teen Fight At Bridgewater Mall

During the incident, Bridgewater Township police officers forced one juvenile, a 14-year-old Black boy, to the ground and handcuffed him, while a 15-year-old, who is of Colombian and Pakistani heritage and who was perceived to be white, was placed on a chair and not handcuffed, according to the Attorney General.

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