Attorney General Takes Over Union County Prosecutor's Office

ELIZABETH, NJ — The New Jersey Attorney's Office has removed the current prosecutor and assigned a new acting prosecutor to the Union County Prosecutor's Office after an investigation revealed Elizabeth Police Director used racist and misogynistic slurs towards his staff.

First Assistant Attorney General Jennifer Davenport will serve as acting Union County prosecutor and replace Michael Monahan. It's not clear why the prosecutor was removed in connection with the investigation.

Among other responsibilities, Davenport will ensure that UCPO exercises appropriate oversight of the Elizabeth Police Department and works to rebuild trust with the community and external stakeholders. During this time, she will continue her service as First Assistant Attorney General.

The UCPO had finished up its own two-month investigation earlier this month into the conduct of Elizabeth Police Director James Cosgrove and found that over the course of many years, he described his staff using derogatory terms.

As a result the UCPO had taken over the internal affairs functions of the Elizabeth Police Department. But now the OAG is in charge.

"One of the core responsibilities of an effective law enforcement leader is to maintain the trust of the community he or she serves. Director Cosgrove has violated that trust and, in doing so, undermined confidence in our system of justice. I believe that Director Cosgrove should resign his position immediately," NJ Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal said.

Additionally, Grewal designated Joseph Walsh, Special Assistant to the Attorney General, to serve as Counsel to Acting Prosecutor Davenport. Walsh, who spent more than fifteen years as a police officer in Burlington County before becoming a prosecutor, will, among other responsibilities, oversee the internal affairs functions of the EPD.

Davenport will also be conducting an audit of EPD’s workplace culture, including its hiring and promotional practices.The Office of Public Integrity & Accountability (OPIA) will assist with that effort.

Lastly, Davenport will ensure that all EPD managers and officers are appropriately trained on matters of implicit bias and sexual harassment, Grewal said.

"Here in New Jersey, we have worked hard to strengthen trust between police and the communities we serve, and we have no patience for those who fail to recognize that our ultimate responsibility is to the laws of this State and the people of New Jersey," Grewal said. "While I have great faith in the men and women who make up the Elizabeth Police Department, it is apparent that their Director has fallen short."

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here.