N.J. Cop Allegedly Threatens to Blow Guard's Head Off During Bank Incident, Report Says

A bank security guard says a cop held a gun to his head and threatened "to blow his (expletive) head off," according to reports

Joseph Kearney Jr., of Linden, has filed a notice of tort claim alleging Officer Roy George, a 14-year veteran with the Chatham Borough police department, used excessive force during an incident in front of the Bank of America branch on Main Street, according to nj.com.

George, the borough's traffic safety officer, has had trouble before. He previously held the rank of sergeant but he was demoted over an October 2009 incident in which he left his fully loaded .45-caliber handgun and police credentials on a Westfield lawn after drinking, according to the report. He was also suspended over this incident, but the length of the suspension and the terms of discipline were never publicly disclosed.

Kearney was reporting for his assignment as an armed private security officer on Dec. 15, 2015. when he alleges George ordered him to the ground, held a gun to his head and threatened him, according to the report. Kearney's attorney, Matthew Adams, told NJ Advance Media Chatham police received a call around 8 a.m. on Dec. 15 reporting a man with a gun near the Bank of America.

Adams, in the nj.com report, said "everything went sideways" when George arrived on the scene. George commanded Kearney to freeze and drop to his knees before he put the barrel of the gun against Kearney's head and threatened him, he said.

Chatham and Morris County officials didn't respond for comment.

According to the borough's website, George began his law enforcement career as a dispatcher with the Westfield Police Department. He was later appointed as a patrolman with the Bridgewater Township Police Department.

In 2002, he was appointed as a patrol officer with the Chatham Borough Police Department and assigned to the Patrol Division. A short while later, he was reassigned to the Traffic Safety Unit where he served as the Borough’s Traffic Safety Officer.

In addition to that, he has also served as the Assistant Team Leader on the Emergency Services Unit. George is currently the department's Firearms Range Master and holds instructor certifications in 10 various disciplines.

George earned a bachelor of arts degree in criminal justice from American Military University and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in oganizational leadership.

Photo: Chatham Borough