Neptune Twp Rescinds Probe Into Local Officers At Capitol Riots

NEPTUNE, NJ - A New Jersey police union has filed a grievance against Neptune Township, challenging the constitutional legality of a notice mandating law enforcement officials to disclose whether they were involved in the Jan. 6 pro-Trump demonstration and riots. The township has since rescinded the notice.

According to Fraternal Order of Police-New Jersey Labor Council President Bob Fox, Neptune Township sent out a notice on Jan. 20 that "demanded members identify if they participated in the 'January 6, 2021 siege on the US Capital in Washington, DC.'"

Officers were informed that disciplinary action could be used if they did not respond to the notice, Fox said in a statement.

“Notably, there was absolutely no indication, complaint, or information to suggest that any Neptune Superior Officer was in any way involved in the January 6th events in Washington DC.,” Fox said. “The FOP concluded that this investigation was done for solely political purposes and was not based on fact or credible information.”

The Fraternal Order of Police-New Jersey Labor Council’s grievance on behalf of Neptune Superior Officers Association Lodge 19, filed the same day as the township’s notice, alleged violations of members’ rights under a collective negotiations agreement with Neptune Township. The grievance also alleged violations of the Fifth and Sixth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution and Article 1 of the New Jersey Constitution.

“After a review of the grievance filed by the FOP-NJ Labor Council, the township sustained the grievance, in accordance with the contractual procedure and our members rights were protected,” Fox added.

“The FOP is pleased that later that same evening the Mayor and Council of the Township of Neptune reversed their position and rescinded the notice.”

The grievance comes amid the arrest of several law enforcement officers in connection with the Capitol Hill riots on Jan. 6, including a former corrections officer who worked in Monmouth County and a U.S. Amy Reservist, an “avowed white supremacist”, from Colts Neck. Over 150 individuals have been charged in connection with the insurrection that killed five, including South River resident and Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick. According to an NPR report, almost 1 in 5 of those charged have served in the military.

Read more: No Release For Colts Neck 'White Supremacist' Charged In DC Riots

Read more: Ex-Monmouth Corrections Officer Charged In Capitol Riots

Neptune Township Mayor Michael Brantley told the Asbury Park Press that, while the notice was "premature," the municipality will cooperate with all FBI investigations.

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