Three Lakewood police officers received suspensions after internal investigations found violations involving a vehicle pursuit and the handling of an injured crash victim, according to New Jersey major discipline records.
Three officers with the Lakewood Police Department were suspended in separate disciplinary cases during 2025, according to records published by the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office. The cases involved allegations of insubordination and neglect of duty, resulting in suspensions ranging from six to 10 days.
Key Points
• Three Lakewood officers were suspended following internal investigations
• One officer was disciplined for policy violations during a vehicle pursuit
• Two officers received suspensions after failing to provide aid to an injured crash victim
The disciplinary actions were disclosed through New Jersey’s annual major discipline reporting system, which requires law enforcement agencies to publicly report suspensions exceeding five days, terminations, and demotions.
None of the officers were terminated or demoted, and all remained employed by the department following the disciplinary actions.
Officer suspended after pursuit policy violations
Patrolman Joseph Mandelbaum received a six-day suspension and additional training, coaching, or counseling after an investigation into a vehicle pursuit initiated in July 2025.
According to the disciplinary report, investigators found multiple policy violations during the pursuit, including the reason it was initiated. The report states the pursuit violated both the New Jersey Attorney General’s Pursuit Policy and Lakewood Police Department General Order No. 54, which prohibit initiating vehicle pursuits for minor traffic offenses.
The investigation concluded with a sustained finding of insubordination.
Two officers disciplined after crash response
Patrolman John Pannone was suspended for 10 days after an investigation into his response to a one-vehicle crash on May 25, 2025.
According to the report, Pannone encountered the injured driver outside her vehicle and observed her repeatedly requesting medical assistance. Investigators found that despite being trained and equipped to provide basic first aid as a first responder, he failed to render aid.
The investigation resulted in a sustained finding of neglect of duty. In addition to the suspension, Pannone received training, coaching, or counseling.
Similar findings against second officer
Patrolman Marc Rodriguez also received a 10-day suspension and additional training, coaching, or counseling stemming from the same crash investigation.
The Attorney General’s report indicates Rodriguez was found responsible for failing to provide aid to the injured victim despite her repeated requests for medical assistance. The disciplinary finding against Rodriguez was also listed as neglect of duty.
The disciplinary cases were included in the Attorney General’s major discipline report under Directive 2021-6, which was established to increase public transparency regarding serious police disciplinary actions throughout New Jersey.
