New ‘Major Discipline’ Report For Newark Police Released By NJAG Office

NEWARK, NJ — The Newark Police Department had multiple "major discipline cases" that were included in a new report from the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office.

On Monday, the state AG office released its annual Major Discipline Report, which lists details for hundreds of police officers in the state. The report covers the period from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2024.

According to the attorney general’s office, “major discipline” is defined as terminations, reductions in rank, or suspension of more than five days. Pending cases are not included in the data set.

The latest report lists multiple cases for the Newark Police Department:

• An officer was suspended for 10 days on charges of official inefficiency or incompetence. The officer was allegedly placed on medical certification, but failed to provide the required medical documentation to justify his absence. No termination or demotion took place, the AG office reported.
• An officer was suspended for 16 days on charges of Behavior, Misconduct, Violation of Criminal Law, Off Duty Alcohol Use. The officer was allegedly apprehended for driving under the influence while off duty (registering a blood alcohol content of 0.12%). No termination or demotion took place, the AG office reported.
• An officer was suspended for eight days on charges of Violation of Criminal Law, Alcohol-Related Offenses, and Unacceptable Behavior. The officer was allegedly apprehended by Clifton Police Department for driving under the influence and reaching speeds of 120 MPH on Route 3. No termination or demotion took place, the AG office reported.
• An officer was suspended for eight days on a criminal law charge. The officer was arrested on a DWI charge after allegedly falling asleep at a traffic light while off-duty in New York City. No termination or demotion took place, the AG office reported.
• An officer was suspended for 10 days on charges of Absent Without Leave, Acts or Omissions, Prompt Report of Sickness or Injury and Obedience to Orders. The officer allegedly sustained an injury off duty, making him unable to fulfill military duty. However, the PO neglected to promptly inform the Newark Police Division about the injury and notification was only provided after his military leave orders. No termination or demotion took place, the AG office reported.
• An officer was suspended for 10 days on charges of Excessive Force, and Disobedience of Orders. The officer allegedly "shoulder-bumped a student, grabbed them, and slammed the student against a wall before bringing them to the ground in an unprovoked incident." The officer then arrested the student and charged them with aggravated assault. No termination or demotion took place, the AG office reported.
• An officer was suspended for six days on charges of Violation of Orders / Neglect of Duty. Despite being on medical certification, the officer allegedly continued to call out sick without showing improvement in attendance. No termination or demotion took place, the AG office reported.
• An officer was suspended for 180 days on a charge of Chronic or Excessive Absenteeism. The officer had allegedly been out on sick leave for prenatal and postnatal care, but failed to return to work from December 15, 2022, to August 7, 2023. Additionally, the officer was absent from August 1, 2023, to May 17, 2024. The officer’s absenteeism was deemed "excessive and chronic." No termination or demotion took place, the AG office reported.
• An officer was suspended for seven days on a charge of Unauthorized Absence. The officer allegedly scheduled a four-day, all-inclusive trip to Mexico during days he was assigned to work and falsely reported being sick to cover their absence. No termination or demotion took place, the AG office reported.

According to statewide statistics, there were 644 major discipline actions taken by 172 police agencies against 543 officers in New Jersey last year. The most frequently occurring offenses were related to attendance, including lateness and call-outs too close to the start of a shift.

Attorney General Matthew Platkin said that the vast majority of New Jersey’s police officers risk their own safety to protect others and to serve their communities. These officers “conduct themselves with honor and courage,” he said.

“Publicly releasing this data about the handling of disciplinary matters helps maintain the public’s trust in those dedicated, hardworking men and women of law enforcement,” Platkin said.

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