ATLANTIC CITY, NJ – Two Monmouth County cops were identified in the state’s new major discipline report. The new “bad cop” report released by the State of New Jersey was criticized from its inception, but a new report has been released by the State of New Jersey identifying “bad cops”. After months of back and forth, former New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal’s “Bad Cop” report for 2020 has finally been released.
AG Directive 2021-6 required all New Jersey law enforcement agencies to submit to the Attorney General their first “Major Discipline Reporting Form,” which covered discipline imposed between June 15, 2020, and December 31, 2020. “Major discipline” is defined as terminations, reductions in rank, or suspension of more than five days. Below is a listing of the reported major discipline for the second half of 2020. In the future, law enforcement agencies will report major discipline on January 31 for the preceding calendar year.
The 92-page report details hundreds of police officers who faced internal disciplinary measures for violations of the law. Many fear the report will be used as a tool to launch attacks against police officers and the profession. The report contains incidents between June 15, 2020, and December 31, 2020.
The report released by the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office that was the brainchild of former Attorney General Gurbir Grewal was controversial from the start. The report, criticized by police unions and even many residents of New Jersey identifies all officers who have faced disciplinary charges that were kept from the public purview until now.
18 Monmouth County cops made the report:
Asbury Park Police Police Officer Christopher Leahy was suspended for 30 days for a body-worn camera violation and inappropriate off-duty conduct.
Asbury Park Police Officer Scott Ritter was suspended 40 days for neglect of duty. PO Ritter was involved in a motor vehicle crash which he failed to report.
Brielle Police Patrolman Michael Palmer Jr. was terminated for committing multiple acts of theft.
Deal Police Patrolman Joseph Ammaturo o was terminated for possession of a controlled dangerous substance and witness tampering.
Highlands Police Patrolman Troy Hartsgrove was suspended for 30 days for rule violations against the department’s social media policy.
Long Branch Police Patrolman Kevin Morris was suspended for 30 days for “Care of department property”.
Manasquan Police Officer Tom Morton was suspended for 10 days and charged with conduct unbecoming a public employee and failure to conduct one self to a high ethical standard on and/or off duty.
Matawan Police Ptl. Jennifer Paglia was suspended for 20 days for an improper response to emergency service calls. There were five incidents in which Ptl. Paglia improperly delayed her response by either yielding to other responding police vehicles, taking routes that increased her response time or not activating emergency lights when necessary.
Neptune City Police Officer Damien Broschart was been suspended without pay since October 27, 2020 for engaging in a conversation via text messages with a female he had just arrested. His pending charges are for Cyber Harassment & Hindering.
Sea Girt Police SLEOII Zachary Macagnone e was terminated for a giving false or misleading information and giving false sworn information. The officer provided false and misleading information in a hiring background questionnaire and during the hiring background investigation.
The following Monmouth County Corrections officers were cited:
CCPO Thomas Ricchiuti was suspended for 180 days for Violation of departmental firearms policies and procedures.
CCPO Stephanie Welch was suspended for 10 days for leaving her post early without being properly relieved.
CCPO Douglas Facendo was suspended for 10 days for leaving his post early without being properly relieved.
CCPO Brian Feirstein was suspended for 30 days for unauthorized use of cell phone in secured area.
CCPO Warren Kocurek was suspended for 30 days for unauthorized use of cell phone in secured area.
CCPO Paul Gaofola was suspended for 180 days for unauthorized use of cell phone in secured area; supply misuse.
CCPO Amanda Atkinson was suspended for 60 days for improper communication with inmate; allowed horseplay.
CCPO Amos Osborne was suspended for 30 days for time and attendance policy violations; unauthorized absence.