Sheriff's Officer Posts Video, Claims He Was Blocked Access to Bergen County Offices Over Apparel

A Bergen County sheriff’s officer posted a video on YouTube claiming he was denied entry this week to an employee appreciation breakfast hosted by the Bergen County Executives because of his shirt.

Sheriff’s Officer Edward Romero, who filmed the incident, said he tried to enter the Bergen County Administration Building to attend the appreciation breakfast since he was invited. But he was denied entry and was asked to leave or change his clothing, according to Mickey Bradley, a retired Bergen County Sheriff’s inspector.

It seems the issue focused on Romero’s shirt, which said “Team Tedesco.” James Tedesco is a Democratic Bergen County freeholder who is running against Republican incumbent Kathleen Donovan for county executive.

The incident took place on Thursday at One Bergen County Plaza in Hackensack. Employees reaching their 5th and 10th year employment anniversaries were honored with a breakfast, while employees reaching their 15th, 20th, 25th, 30th, 35th and 40th work anniversaries were honored with a luncheon, according to a copy of the letter sent to employees.

In the video, Romero tells a man, identified as assistant director of security, that his First Amendment rights are being violated. The man tells Romero he cannot enter because the building is ”a polling place.”

The Bergen County Sheriff’s Office PBA president, Marcelo Hagopian, says the department stands by Romero.

“We stand by him 100 percent ... It’s his right to support somebody,” Hagopian said.

Romero claims that when he offered to wear a garment over the shirt, he was still denied entry and told if he attempted to enter the public building, he would be criminally charged.

Then a Bergen County Police detective tells Romero that, if he opens up his jacket while inside, he will he get charged with “disorderly persons under Title 19 under the Election Law.”

Hagopian said an investigation found that the law is only active on Election Day and not any day before or after.

However, Bergen County Police Chief Brian Higgins says residents were dropping off their absentee ballots during the time of the incident. People dropping off their absentee ballots “should not be exposed to political propaganda,” Chief Higgins said.

Higgins also said there is a rule in the county Charter Ethics Code that prohibits county employees from expressing political views on county property.

But Hagopian believes perhaps Officer Romero was targeted.

“Were they checking [the shirts] of everyone else who entered the building?” Hagopian asked.

Still, Higgins called the incident ”a 1960’s intimidation activity.”

“I don’t think law enforcement should be involved in politics - ever,” Higgins said.

What do you think of the matter?

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