Six Passaic County police officers identified in New Jersey’s “Bad Cop” report

Charlie Dwyer

PASSAIC, NJ – 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 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.

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.


As far as Passaic County goes, six officers were identified.

Passaic Police Officer Amilcar Lopez according to the report was suspended for 28 days for violating the body-worn camera policy on multiple occasions and unprofessional conduct.

Lt. Aguirre Cruz was suspended for 14 days for violating the body-worn camera policy, call response policy, and for failing to perform duties.

Passaic Police Officer Annette Guzman was suspended for 25 days for failing to report a confidential law enforcement computer lookup after she was made aware that the lookup was improper.

Passaic County Sheriff’s Department Officer Shayed Islam was terminated for inability to Perform Duties. Officer could not complete the necessary Training Academy required for employment.

Another Sheriff’s Officer, Kaitlyn Punch was suspended for 68 days for Conduct Unbecoming a Public Employee, Intoxication off duty, not in uniform, Officer was arrested and charged with DWI. She was not terminated.

Paterson Police Officer Jack Sanchez was suspended for 20 days for “untruthfulness on a report”.

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