Moorestown Cop Suspended Twice For Misconduct Is No Longer With PD

MOORESTOWN, NJ — A Moorestown police officer who received at least two suspensions for misconduct no longer works for the township, officials confirmed Thursday to Patch. But a report on New Jersey officers who faced "major discipline" shed light on Jason Witkowski's actions.

In recent years, the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General has released an annual report showing which police officers around the state were fired, demoted or suspended for longer than five days. The reports reflect significant punishments issued since June 15, 2020.

Witkowski, who was a patrolman, is the only Moorestown officer who has appeared on the major-discipline report, but he did so twice. The 2022 report, released Wednesday, revealed that Witkowski drove his personal vehicle erratically while off-duty on March 29, 2022. He was suspended for 45 days.

He was also suspended for 20 days the prior year for failing to maintain a valid driver's license.

Township officials declined Patch's request for further details about the erratic-driving incident but revealed that Witkowski no longer works for the Moorestown Police Department.

"I am unable to comment as to the bulk of your inquiries as this relates to a personnel matter," Township Manager Kevin Aberant told Patch. "However, I can advise that Mr. Witkowski is no longer employed by the Township of Moorestown and has not been since October 4, 2022. This is the maximum I’m permitted to legally disclose."

It's unclear whether Witkowski quit or got fired, or whether the incidents on the misconduct reports played into the end of his employment.

During the March 2022 incident, mobile-video recorder (MVR) footage showed Witkowski committing several traffic violations over about 3 miles, according to the AG's report.

Until recent years, the state shielded the identities of officers disciplined or fired. But days after then-Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin murdered George Floyd in May 2020, then-Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal issued several directives involving police reform, including the disclosure of certain major-discipline violations from officers.

Grewal's order to release disciplinary records faced pushback from the State Police Benevolent Association, resulting in a year-long legal battle. The New Jersey Supreme Court unanimously ruled in June 2021 that the state could identify officers subjected to "major" discipline in the prior year and going forward. But police discipline from beforehand remains confidential.