OCEAN TOWNSHIP, NJ – A Facebook post accusing a local officer of being rude and incompassionate during a deer accident response has sparked widespread attention and a quick response from the Ocean Township Police Department.
Police Chief Michal J. Rogalski publicly addressed the viral claims Monday, calling them “false, exaggerated, and misleading” after reviewing body camera footage of the encounter.
The chief released the officer’s bodycam video and it revealed that nothing the person posted to social media regarding the officer’s interaction happened. In fact, the majority of the post was fabricated, as the officer showed compassion and kindness to the residents and the deer.
The online post, written by a resident, alleged that Patrolman Moller berated the poster’s wife and acted aggressively after she stopped to help an injured deer struck by a vehicle.
After the allegations gained traction across community pages, Rogalski ordered an immediate internal review, including interviews with officers on scene and a review of dispatch and bodycam records.
Video review shows officer acted professionally
According to the department’s findings, the bodycam footage contradicted the claims made on social media. Rogalski said the video, which has been released publicly, shows that Patrolman Moller remained professional and courteous throughout the incident.
In his statement, Rogalski noted that while the accusations were serious, the evidence clearly showed the officer handled the situation appropriately and with compassion. He also emphasized that the department would never ignore credible misconduct but would equally defend officers against unfounded attacks.
Chief condemns inflammatory language in viral post
Rogalski strongly criticized the Facebook post’s description of the officer as a “cocky young cop” and its comparison to the Gestapo, calling the language “deeply offensive” and “historically insensitive.”
He described Patrolman Moller as a well-respected member of the department known for his kindness and community service, citing examples of his outreach efforts and positive engagement with residents.
The chief urged residents to watch the full bodycam video to see the facts for themselves and reaffirmed the department’s commitment to transparency and accountability.