Bridgewater, NJ – It 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.
In Somerset County, six cops were identified in the report:
Bernards Twp Police Officer David Martin was suspended for 55 days for violation of Bernards Township Police Department Policies and Procedures and Rules and Regulations. Officer was convicted of DWI while on duty. Officer has resigned from the Bernards Township Police Department.
Bridgewater Police Officer Anne Alosi Alosi was suspended for 6 months for Neglect of Duty and Truthfulness. The officer lied about an illness and failed to report for duty, causing overtime for the department.
North Plainfield Police Patrolman Mikeedwar Jean-Baptiste was suspended and terminated for Statutory Misconduct in Office, in violation of NJSA 40a:14-147.
Somerset County Sheriff Officer Raymond Thompson was suspended for 25 days for Violation of Sick Leave Policy.
South Bound Brook Police Sergeant Richard Meinsen was suspended for 19 days (228 hours of comp. time) for misuse of departmental computers.
Watchung Police Officer Sean Bouchard was suspended for a period of 90 days after being arrested and charged with violations of N.J.S.A. 39:4-50, N.J.S.A. 39:4-96 and N.J.S.A. 39:4-50.2. Those charges were levied following Officer Bouchard’s off-duty, single-vehicle motor vehicle accident, where it was determined that he was DWI. He was not terminated.