HACKENSACK, NJ – The New Jersey Attorney General’s Major Discipline Reporting Report, also known as the “bad cop” report has been released. The release of the report was criticized from its inception.
After months of back and forth, former New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal’s “ Major Discipline Reporting Report ” report for 2020 has finally been released.
Ten Bergen 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”.
AG Directive 2021-6 required all New Jersey law enforcement agencies to submit to the Attorney General their first “Major Discipline Reporting Report,” 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 about one hundred police officers who faced internal disciplinary measures for violations of the law or department ethics and policy guidelines. 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.
Here are the Bergen County cops identified in the report:
Bergen County Sheriff Officer Steve Boudaher was suspended for 75 days for violating departmental policies and procedures of his post assignment while on duty. BCSO Officer David Poposki was suspended for 30 days for violating the departmental social media policy.
Bogota Police Ptl. Michael Laferrera was suspended for 180 days for neglect of duty, failure to comply with standards of conduct, the performance of duty, and obedience to laws and regulations.
Englewood City Police PO Mark Van Womer was charged with Neglect of Duty and Failure to comply with orders/directives.
Leonia Police SLEO II Steve Oxnard was suspended for 64 days for violations of the Department’s Rules & Regulations, specifically Neglect of Duty and Conduct Unbecoming an Employee.
Oakland Police Officer Andrew Vecchione was suspended for a Rules and Regulations violation. He failed to report a motor vehicle accident with his police vehicle to his immediate supervisor.
Palisades Park Police Sergeant Christopher Sambogna was charged criminally with theft. Charges were dismissed by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and was handled administratively. He received 90 days suspension for violation of Standards of Conduct Policy.
Ridgewood Village Police Officer Peter Youngberg was suspended 30 days for his actions steaming from an off-duty verbal altercation and some administrative issues that were discovered during the investigation.