Fanwood Police Chief Leaves After Alleged Racist, Sexist Comments

FANWOOD, NJ — Fanwood Police Chief Richard Trigo has stepped down after an audio recording that appeared to reveal Trigo making alleged racist and sexist comments surfaced.

The remarks targeted a former Union County prosecutor who was the first Asian-American to hold the post and Gurbir Grewal, New Jersey's attorney general, who is Sikh.

Acting Union County Prosecutor's Office Lyndsay V. Ruotolo announced she would be temporarily be taking over the Fanwood Police Department following Trigo's announcement to step down effective Monday.

The audio recording, which was published on YouTube by Fanwood Exposed, claims to have Trigo talking with other people and commenting about former Union County Prosecutor Grace Park, saying, "she's pretty hot," and "she's got wide eyes." (Listen the to recording below)

In the recording Trigo can also be allegedly heard commenting about NJ Attorney General Gurbir Grewal saying, "I want to pull him like a top."

Fanwood Mayor Colleen Mahr and the Borough Council asked Ruotolo to step in and help.

"We have zero tolerance for any form of racism or discrimination and as such take these allegations very seriously," according to a statement issued by Mahr and the council.

Mahr and the council said they could comment on the authenticity of the audiotape portraying alleged comments by Police Chief Trigo, but they could "address the concerns this episode raises."

"We are at a pivotal moment in our nation's history, and it is incumbent upon your elected officials to create and foster a culture of accountability. Racism and discrimination of any kind have no home here but we recognize that, in Fanwood, deeply unresolved issues continue to exist and must be addressed.

"Whether it be in our schools, in local government, police departments or the community, racism and discrimination must be challenged and we have begun that work," according to a statement issued by Mahr and the council.

The UCPO has opened an official investigation into the recording.

"These remarks, if true, are unacceptable. Such bigotry has no place in law enforcement, where equality and inclusion are directly connected to the safety of all Americans. We are glad to hear that Trigo has been removed from his position; assuming the recording can be verified, we call for a comprehensive audit of the police department’s culture to ensure bigotry and sexism has no place there," said Sikh Coalition Senior Policy and Advocacy Manager Sim J. Singh.

In the meantime, the UCPO will run the police department while the Borough works on hiring and appointing new leadership and superior officers for the future of their department. Currently the highest ranking officers in the department are three sergeants.

Ruotolo has appointed Capt. Kevin Grimmer of her office to serve as the Officer in Charge of the Department under her leadership. Grimmer is a 16-year veteran of the Union County Prosecutor's Office who, prior to joining the Prosecutor’s Office, was a member of the Plainfield Police Division.

UCPO Detective Nicholas Falcicchio is also temporarily assigned to the Fanwood Police Department. Prior to joining UCPO in 2015, Falcicchio was a member of the Blairstown Police Department, where he temporarily served as an Officer in Charge at times.

Trigo or his attorney did not respond to Patch for comments on the recording. However, Trigo did deny saying anything inappropriate, according to NJ.com.

Here is the recording. Viewer discretion advised:

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