The Delaware River Port Authority Police Department disciplined multiple officers in 2025, including a patrol officer suspended for falsely claiming he conducted infrastructure checks and a probationary officer who was terminated after undisclosed contacts with convicted felons were discovered.
Several Delaware River Port Authority police officers faced major discipline ranging from suspensions and demotions to termination, according to New Jersey’s annual law enforcement major discipline report.
The cases involved allegations of false reporting, neglect of duty, mishandling evidence, domestic-related misconduct, and undisclosed associations with convicted felons.
Officer suspended after spending hours at coffee shop
Police Officer Richard Ciaccia received a 45-day suspension after investigators determined he failed to follow supervisory orders and submitted false reports regarding his activities.
According to disciplinary records, Ciaccia spent approximately 8.5 hours at a coffee shop during July 2023 while reporting that he was conducting property checks of critical infrastructure.
“Officer Ciaccia was found to have ignored lawful orders and frequented a coffee shop for approximately 8.5 hours during the month of July,” the report states.
Investigators concluded he had not performed the checks he reported and sustained charges of false reports, neglect of duty, and insubordination.
The matter was finalized through arbitration in 2025.
Sergeant demoted after crash investigation failures
Sergeant Emerson Lewis was demoted following an investigation into his handling of a motor vehicle crash in Pennsauken.
According to the disciplinary findings, Lewis failed to properly supervise the incident, negligently handled evidence, inadequately documented events, and failed to maintain a secure crash scene.
“During the crash investigation he failed to appropriately supervise the incident, negligently handled evidence, failed to properly document the events that occurred and failed to maintain a safe and secure scene,” the report states.
Probationary officer fired over prison contacts
One of the most serious disciplinary cases involved Police Officer Ollie Miller, who was terminated while serving as a probationary officer.
Authorities said information received from another law enforcement agency revealed Miller had maintained contact with known felons housed in state prisons both before and during his employment.
Investigators determined those relationships had not been disclosed during the hiring process.
“It was discovered he was contacting known felons in state prisons prior to his employment and during his employment,” the disciplinary report states.
The department terminated Miller for fraternization and conduct unbecoming.
Officer disciplined in domestic-related matter
Police Officer Anthony Patitucci received a two-day suspension after investigators found he continued contacting a person protected under domestic violence statutes after being asked to stop.
The conduct was determined to violate department standards.
“This was determined to be conduct unbecoming a police officer,” the report states.
Additional officer left agency during investigation
Police Officer Brian Reed was cited for neglect of duty, conduct unbecoming, mishandling evidence and property, and failure to investigate in connection with the same Pennsauken crash investigation that led to Lewis’s discipline.
According to the report, Reed failed to properly document events, mishandled evidence, and did not maintain a secure scene.
Records indicate Reed separated from the agency while the disciplinary matter was pending.
Coffee shop stop led to suspension
Police Officer Richard Ridolfi received a five-day suspension after investigators determined he spent approximately 5.5 hours in a coffee shop during July 2023 instead of performing assigned duties.
The disciplinary report classified the violation as neglect of duty.
“Officer Ridolfi was negligent in his duties spending 5.5 hours in a coffee shop during the month of July 2023,” the report states.
The matter was also finalized through arbitration in 2025.
Key Points
• DRPA Officer Richard Ciaccia received a 45-day suspension for false reports, insubordination, and neglect of duty after allegedly claiming to conduct infrastructure checks while spending time at a coffee shop.
• Probationary Officer Ollie Miller was terminated after investigators discovered undisclosed contacts with known felons in state prisons.
• Additional disciplinary actions included a sergeant’s demotion, multiple suspensions, and misconduct findings tied to a Pennsauken crash investigation.
