Community Corner
Officer Administratively Charged Following A Use Of Force Incident, South Orange Seeks Removal
'The SOPD takes all use of force incidents seriously and has a zero tolerance policy toward any violation.'
May 20, 2020
Officer Administratively Charged Following a Use of Force Incident, South Orange Seeks Removal
On January 22, 2020, the South Orange Police Department (“SOPD”), as part of its standard protocol and procedures, reviewed the video of an incident that had occurred earlier that day at 12:05 a.m.
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The video showed that force was used during the arrest of a suspect who had allegedly committed a criminal offense in the vicinity of the South Orange Train Station on Sloan Street.
That same day, it was determined that the force utilized by the officer may have been in violation of SOPD policies, rules, and New Jersey Attorney General Guidelines pertaining to use of force and its appropriateness. Subsequently, the officer was immediately suspended pending an investigation, which was referred to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Professional Standards Bureau. The Bureau ultimately determined that criminal charges would not be sought against the officer and referred the matter back to the SOPD for an Internal Affairs investigation with respect to administrative charges.
Find out what's happening in South Orangefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
At this time, the SOPD Internal Affairs Bureau has completed its review, and the officer has been issued a preliminary notice of disciplinary action seeking the officer’s removal. Pending the outcome of a hearing, the officer will remain suspended.
The SOPD takes all use of force incidents seriously and has a zero tolerance policy toward any violation. The department reviews every use of force incident for compliance and mandates semi-annual training and policy review to ensure its officers are best equipped to handle these situations appropriately.
The South Orange Village President and Board of Trustees remain committed to transparency and accountability. As indicated in January when notice of this incident was first shared with the community, the video of the incident would be made available after the conclusion of all investigations. It can be found below.
No further comments will be made on this incident at this time, as a hearing and its outcome is now pending.
Download Video: viewer discretion is advised: Use of Force Incident, January 22, 2020
This press release was produced by the Village of South Orange. The views expressed here are the author’s own.
