Former Wyckoff Police Chief To Retire Jan. 1

WYCKOFF, N.J. — Former township police chief Benjamin Fox will retire Jan. 1, month after he stepped down and was demoted over a racial profiling scandal.

Fox stepped down from his position in March after the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey published a 2014 email that was anonymously sent to the organization. Fox said in the email, which was sent to the entire department that "profiling, racial or otherwise, has it's [sic] place in law enforcement, when used correctly and applied fairly."

The Bergen County Prosecutor's Office and state Attorney General's Office launched an investigation into the email. The prosecutor's office said the email violated a 2005 state directive prohibiting racial profiling.

RELATED: Wyckoff Police Chief Steps Down Amid Racial Profiling Investigation

The Township Committee suspended Fox for 180 days and demoted him to patrolman immediately after the results of the investigation were made public.

Lt. Charles VanDyk was put in charge of the department and a monitor from the prosecutor's office was assigned to watch it. During that time, officers underwent mandatory training in discrimination and liability compliance, use of force, internal affairs, and cultural awareness.

RELATED: Swearing In Of New Chief Opens Another Chapter For Wyckoff Police Department

Lt. David Murphy was promoted to chief in October and the department has begun the process of becoming accredited.

The township has since authorized the use of Tasers as a new non-lethal response since the scandal broke.

Township officials had a blue line painted on Franklin Avenue as an act of support for the department.

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Photo: Wyckoff Police Chief Benjamin C. Fox, fourth from left./Patch file photo