A North Bergen police officer was suspended without pay after prosecutors charged him with theft by deception, alleging he remained at home for more than 130 hours while scheduled to be on patrol.
A North Bergen Police Department patrol officer has been criminally charged after an investigation determined he allegedly collected taxpayer-funded pay while remaining at his residence instead of performing assigned patrol duties.
According to disciplinary records, Patrolman Rasheed Siyam was arrested on Sept. 15, 2025, following an investigation conducted by the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office.
Prosecutors charged Siyam with theft by deception under N.J.S.A. 2C:20-4a, a third-degree indictable offense.
Authorities allege Siyam purposely created the false impression that he was actively working as a North Bergen police officer while he was actually at his residence during scheduled duty hours.
The criminal investigation focused on a period between November 2024 and May 2025.
Investigation tracked officer’s location
According to the disciplinary disclosure, investigators determined Siyam remained at his residence beyond authorized break periods while on duty.
The investigation concluded that over the six-month period, Siyam accumulated more than 130 hours at home while he was supposed to be performing patrol responsibilities.
Officials allege those hours exceeded approved breaks and constituted time for which he was being paid as an active-duty officer.
The prosecutor’s office subsequently charged Siyam with theft by deception, alleging he knowingly received compensation by misrepresenting that he was performing his assigned duties.
Officer suspended without pay
Following his arrest, Siyam was immediately suspended without pay by the North Bergen Police Department.
Records indicate the suspension remains tied to the pending criminal proceedings.
The disciplinary disclosure does not indicate that Siyam was terminated, demoted, retired, transferred, or otherwise separated from employment at the time of the report.
Instead, the department placed him on unpaid suspension pending the final disposition of the criminal case.
Criminal case remains pending
A charge of third-degree theft by deception in New Jersey can carry significant penalties if a defendant is convicted.
The allegations against Siyam have not been proven in court, and he remains entitled to the presumption of innocence unless and until proven guilty.
Court records regarding the status of the prosecution were not included in the disciplinary disclosure.
The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office led the investigation that resulted in the criminal charge.
Key Points
• North Bergen Patrolman Rasheed Siyam was charged with third-degree theft by deception.
• Prosecutors allege he stayed at home while claiming to be working patrol shifts.
• Investigators determined he remained at his residence for more than 130 hours beyond approved breaks between November 2024 and May 2025.
• Siyam was arrested on Sept. 15, 2025.
• The North Bergen Police Department suspended him without pay pending the outcome of the criminal case.