A Lawrence Township police officer was terminated after investigators concluded he misrepresented his whereabouts, violated pandemic restrictions, and altered his patrol vehicle camera position to conceal his activities.
A former Lawrence Township police officer was fired following an internal investigation that found multiple violations of department rules, including dishonesty, misconduct, insubordination, and conduct unbecoming a public employee.
According to New Jersey’s Major Discipline Reporting records, Patrolman Hector Nieves was terminated after an administrative investigation concluded he repeatedly misrepresented his location while on duty and violated restrictions that were in place during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The disciplinary report lists sustained charges including misconduct rendering an officer unfit for duty, dishonesty, insubordination, conduct unbecoming a public employee, neglect of duty, and other violations of departmental rules and regulations.
Officer accused of misrepresenting meal break locations
Investigators found that Nieves allegedly provided inaccurate information regarding his whereabouts during meal breaks on numerous occasions.
According to the report, he represented that he was at locations he either never visited or where he spent only a small portion of his break time.
The allegations became part of a broader investigation into his on-duty conduct and compliance with department policies.
Officials ultimately determined the allegations were substantiated.
Investigation involved COVID-19 restrictions
The disciplinary findings also stemmed from conduct during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the report, Nieves entered the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park despite restrictions imposed under Governor Phil Murphy’s Executive Order 118.
Executive Order 118 was among the emergency measures enacted in 2020 to limit public access to certain recreational areas and reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Investigators determined that Nieves entered the park in violation of those restrictions.
Dash camera allegedly repositioned
The report further alleges that Nieves repositioned his patrol vehicle’s dash camera.
According to investigators, the camera was moved so that park entrance signs prohibiting access and the raised canal path would not be visible in recorded footage.
The disciplinary report states that he met another person at the location while the camera was positioned in a manner that concealed key portions of the scene.
The findings became part of the department’s administrative case against the officer.
Termination upheld through settlement
Following the investigation, Lawrence Township charged Nieves administratively and terminated his employment after a local disciplinary hearing.
Nieves appealed the termination.
According to the Attorney General’s report, the appeal later became part of a broader civil litigation complaint.
The dispute was ultimately resolved through a settlement reached in July 2025.
As part of that agreement, Nieves waived any right to reinstatement or future reemployment with the department.
The settlement effectively ended the disciplinary and legal proceedings arising from the case.
Multiple serious violations sustained
The disciplinary disclosure lists several of the most serious administrative violations available under New Jersey public employee disciplinary standards.
Among them were dishonesty and conduct unbecoming a public employee, charges frequently viewed as particularly significant for sworn law enforcement officers because they directly impact credibility and public trust.
The report indicates the department determined the violations warranted termination.
Key Points
• Lawrence Township Patrolman Hector Nieves was terminated following an internal affairs investigation.
• Investigators found he misrepresented his whereabouts during meal breaks on numerous occasions.
• The report states he entered D&R Canal State Park in violation of Governor Phil Murphy’s COVID-19 Executive Order 118.
• Nieves allegedly repositioned his patrol vehicle dash camera to conceal portions of the location from view.
• After appealing his termination, he settled the case in 2025 and waived any right to reinstatement or future employment with the department.
