Newark Cop Suspended, Issued Driver Ticket Under False Pretenses: Police

NEWARK, NJ — Newark authorities announced Friday that they will suspended a municipal police officer without pay after he allegedly issued motor vehicle summonses to a local motorist under false pretenses.

Newark Department of Public Safety officials allege that while on-duty, Wilberto Ruiz, 33, of Newark, issued motor vehicle summonses to an individual while “knowing that the affirmations made in the summonses were not true.”

Ruiz joined the Newark Police Department in March of 2014, authorities said.

Authorities charged Ruiz with false swearing and making false statements. He was served and processed by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office on Feb. 10, and given an arraignment date of Feb. 24.

“I hold all members of the Department of Public Safety to the highest standards,” Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said. “I will not tolerate any actions or activities by members of this department that denigrate the public’s trust or tarnish the reputation of the NPD. We will quickly and aggressively investigate all allegations of wrongdoing and will continue working with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office to ensure the integrity of the agency and its members.”

Anyone with information about the allegations can contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Professional Standards and Corruption Bureau at 862-520-3700.