An Edgewater Park police officer received a 45-day suspension after investigators found he failed to investigate a suspected drunk driving crash and threw away evidence collected at the scene, according to New Jersey’s 2025 Major Discipline Report.
An Edgewater Park police officer was suspended for 45 days after an internal affairs investigation concluded he failed to properly investigate a suspected drunken driving crash and improperly disposed of evidence, according to New Jersey’s 2025 Major Discipline Report.
Patrolman Christopher Markiewicz received a 45-day suspension and a monetary penalty after investigators sustained multiple disciplinary charges, including incompetency, conduct unbecoming a public employee, neglect of duty, and failure to perform required police duties.
The report states that Markiewicz responded to a hit-and-run motor vehicle crash where both civilians and fellow officers told him the driver was suspected of being intoxicated.
Investigation into suspected DUI not completed
According to the discipline report, Markiewicz also spoke by telephone with another patrol officer and a sergeant from a neighboring police department, both of whom confirmed their suspicions that the driver was under the influence.
Rather than taking the driver into custody or conducting a DUI investigation, the report states that Markiewicz instructed another officer to transport the driver to a hospital.
Investigators found that no breath or blood sobriety testing was performed before the driver was taken from the scene.
Report says evidence was thrown away
The internal affairs investigation further determined that Markiewicz disposed of evidence collected during the crash investigation by throwing it into a nearby dumpster after the driver had been transported to the hospital.
Investigators concluded that the officer neglected to investigate the suspected DUI and violated multiple department rules governing duty performance, supervision, and knowledge of applicable laws and regulations.
Markiewicz was not terminated or demoted and remained employed following the disciplinary action, according to the report.
Key Points
• Edgewater Park Patrolman Christopher Markiewicz received a 45-day suspension and a monetary penalty following an internal affairs investigation.
• Investigators found he failed to investigate a suspected drunk driving crash despite multiple reports that the driver appeared intoxicated.
• The report also states that he discarded evidence collected at the crash scene by throwing it into a dumpster.
