Newark Cop Arrested At Nightclub Party 'Will Be Dealt With': NPD

NEWARK, NJ — An off-duty Newark police officer was arrested and three others were suspended after their on-duty peers broke up a private party at a local nightclub last weekend, authorities said.

Newark police responded to Club Allure on Halsey Street on Friday evening and arrested an off-duty officer, who was later charged with assault, Newark Department of Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said. Police also arrested a civilian who was at the club and charged them with possession of a loaded handgun.

Following the incident, the officer was suspended, along with three other Newark officers, authorities said. No additional details about the allegations facing the officers was immediately released.

Newark Director of Public Safety Anthony Ambrose later identified the arrested officer as Detective Zaynah Pickett, who faces assault charges, PIX 11 New York reported. The other suspended officers were: Officer Czezre Adams, Detective Dwayne Mays Jr. and Officer Maurice McKelvin.

The incident is being investigated by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and the Newark Police Division’s Office of Professional Standards, Ambrose said.

Anyone with information about the incident can call the department’s 24-hour Crime Stopper tip line at 1-877-NWK-TIPS (1-877-695-8477) or 1-877-NWK-GUNS (1-877-695-4867). Anonymous tips can also be made using the Police Division’s website at www.newarkpd.org or through its smartphone app at iTunes or on Google Play.

“The officers involved have three years on the job and will be dealt with accordingly,” Ambrose said. “I will not tolerate officers grossly neglecting or violating the law or behaving in a disorderly manner whether on or off-duty. Although these officers conducted themselves in a manner contrary to the standard, the majority of Newark police officers work hard and strive for excellence.”

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