POMPTON LAKES, NJ – William Pepe, the sole black officer in the Pompton Lakes Police Department at the time, has announced his intention to file a lawsuit against the borough, its council, and the police department, citing allegations of discrimination, retaliation, and a hostile work environment.
NBC reported that Pepe claims these issues severely impacted his mental health and led to his constructive termination—a situation where an employee feels compelled to resign due to an employer’s behavior.
At 41 years old, Pepe, also an Army veteran, recounts a particular incident where Police Chief Derek Clark reprimanded him for not issuing enough traffic tickets, an event Pepe views as part of ongoing disparate treatment. The legal notice of tort claim outlines Pepe’s allegations, including his career stalling after raising concerns about supervisor conduct with his union. He plans to seek at least $2.5 million in damages.
Pepe’s legal move comes after a year of experiencing what he describes as severe race and disability discrimination, and relentless retaliation, pushing him towards resignation. The Pompton Lakes Police Department, consisting of 24 officers, declined to comment on the claim. However, Erik DeLine, the borough council president, dismissed the allegations as entirely false, stating the Borough plans to defend itself and its officers vigorously.
Pepe joined the police department in 2015, was promoted to detective, assigned to the narcotics task force, and served as a firearms instructor. He alleges his reassignment back to patrol in 2021 was retaliatory, linked to his expressed intent to file a grievance regarding being forced to use sick days when his son, who tested negative for Covid-19, was ill.