Port Authority Police Union Launches Lawsuit Over Hoboken Bar Incident

The Port Authority Police Benevolent Association launched a lawsuit against the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey on Wednesday, claiming that the agency illegally searched the cell phones of nine probationary officers.

The rookie officers were fired after allegedly participating in a rowdy, intoxicated celebration at Texas Arizona in Hoboken in 2014.

According to reports, the officers were seen pouring their own drinks behind the bar, touching a woman’s rear end inappropriately, recording the antics on their cell phones, and flashing their newly minted badges to excuse their behavior after bartenders threatened to call the police. [See related Patch article]

The PBA’s lawsuit claims that Port Authority investigators improperly demanded that the officers grant them access to their personal cellphones, a violation of their constitutional rights against unreasonable search and seizure.

In response, Port Authority officials issued a statement disputing the allegations.

“We will vigorously defend the appropriateness of the Inspector General’s investigation into this matter,” the statement read.

The lawsuit is seeking unspecified damages and to bar the agency from conducting similar future searches, according to a report.

Photo caption: The Port Authority PBA is claiming that nine rookie police officers had their cell phones improperly searched following an alleged night of drunken revelry at Texas Arizona, seen above, in 2014.