CLARK, NJ – Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin unveiled a report on Monday calling for the dismissal of Clark Township Police Chief and other officials. This 43-page report from the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) follows a probe into misconduct within Clark Township’s government and police department, initiated by the Union County Prosecutor’s Office and OAG in July 2020.
The report recommends that two police department officials be fired, including the chief, and makes referrals for further action to four entities, including the Division on Civil Rights.
Attorney General Platkin emphasized the societal expectation of ethical conduct from leaders, highlighting the failure of Clark’s leaders to meet these standards. The report, bound by grand jury secrecy, still aims to provide maximum transparency, sharing investigation details from public sources or other legal means.
The investigation, triggered by allegations against Clark Police Department (CPD) officials, focused on restoring public trust. Recommendations include several interventions by CPD and the Union County Prosecutor’s Office (UCPO) to address identified issues. UCPO will maintain control over CPD, implementing changes in areas like traffic stop protocols and department diversity.
The investigation’s genesis was in May 2020 with an anonymous letter alleging misconduct by CPD officials. Investigations revealed the use of racist and derogatory language by officials, including the mayor and police chief. Despite a thorough investigation, criminal charges have declined, pending new evidence.
The report recommends firing Police Chief Pedro Matos and Sgt. Joseph Teston for multiple violations. Teston faced separate assault charges in New York, now dropped, but his actions still warrant dismissal.
The Attorney General’s advisory recommendations leave the final decision to township officials. However, the report urges appointing an unbiased individual for this due to potential conflicts of interest.