ATLANTIC CITY, NJ – A 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.
Nine Atlantic County Cops made the report:
Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Jason Dorn was suspended for 25 days for an off-duty domestic incident.
Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Detective Lawrence Achey was not cleared for his fitness of duty examination and agreed to resign in lieu of involuntary separation.
Atlantic County Public Safety Division of Adult Detention Officer Tina DeCicco was suspended for 6 days after incurring a 4th occurrence of an unauthorized absence within six month period.
Atlantic County Public Safety Division of Adult Detention Sergeant Charles Gill was suspended for 6 days after he failed to properly secure and report a piece of evidence during an incident. Gill was again suspended for 20 days after he failed to take appropriate action during an incident where an inmate reported that he feared for his safety.
Atlantic County Public Safety Division of Adult Detention Officer Joeseph Kranich was suspended for 6 days after incurring the 4th occurrence of an unauthorized absence within six month period.
Atlantic County Public Safety Division of Adult Detention Officer Ronnie Lane was suspended for 6 days after incurring a 4th occurrence of an unauthorized absence within six month period.
Atlantic County Public Safety Division of Adult Detention Sergeant Scott Medio was demoted after he fabricated completing disciplinary investigations and falsely documented official facility documents.
Atlantic County Public Safety Division of Adult Detention Officer Luis Mercado was terminated after using his position as a County Correctional Police Officer to smuggle contraband into the facility and drop it at various locations within the jail for retrieval and use by an inmate(s).
Atlantic County Public Safety Division of Adult Detention Officer r Peter Wawrzonkiewicz was suspended 45 days for failing to take proper action after being notified that a high-security inmate had tampered with his cell door locking mechanism.