A Passaic police officer was suspended for 180 days after disciplinary investigations found he was involved in a preventable patrol vehicle crash and later ignored multiple supervisory orders to stop following a fleeing vehicle, according to New Jersey’s major discipline report.
A Passaic Police Department officer received one of the department’s most significant disciplinary penalties after separate incidents in 2024 led to sustained findings of misconduct and policy violations.
According to New Jersey’s 2025 Major Discipline Report, Officer Junior Cuevas was issued an aggregate suspension of 180 days for two separate incidents that occurred during 2024.
The disciplinary findings included a preventable police vehicle crash and a separate incident involving insubordination and failure to terminate a vehicle pursuit.
Patrol Vehicle Crash Led to Initial Discipline
The first incident occurred on March 29, 2024, while Cuevas was responding as a backup officer to an emergency call.
Investigators found that Cuevas approached the intersection of Passaic Street and 1st Street and collided with another Passaic police vehicle that was responding to the same call. Both patrol vehicles sustained heavy damage, with the report noting the crash may have resulted in both vehicles being totaled.
According to the investigation, Cuevas was traveling approximately 52 mph and failed to stop at a posted stop sign before entering the intersection.
Investigators concluded that had he stopped at the stop sign and reduced his speed, the collision likely would have been avoided. The report also noted that Cuevas was not wearing a seat belt and may have avoided some of his injuries had he been properly restrained.
Officer Ignored Orders During Fleeing Vehicle Incident
A second and more serious disciplinary matter occurred on Sept. 19, 2024.
According to the report, Sgt. Reyes ordered Cuevas not to follow a vehicle that had fled after failing to stop for police. Despite the direct order, investigators found that Cuevas continued following the vehicle.
The report states that Cuevas received multiple commands to discontinue the pursuit and stop following the fleeing driver.
Officials determined that Cuevas ignored each of those orders and continued tracking the vehicle until he eventually lost sight of it.
The sustained charges in that case were listed as insubordination and failure to terminate a pursuit.
Aggregate Suspension Imposed
State records show Cuevas was not terminated or demoted as a result of the disciplinary proceedings.
Instead, the department imposed a combined 180-day suspension in 2025 covering both incidents.
The major discipline report notes that while the suspension was issued during 2025, both underlying incidents occurred during 2024.
Major Discipline Reports Provide Public Accountability
New Jersey requires law enforcement agencies to publicly disclose serious disciplinary actions through annual major discipline reports.
The reports are intended to provide transparency regarding officer misconduct and significant disciplinary penalties imposed by police departments throughout the state.
Key Points
• Passaic Police Officer Junior Cuevas received an aggregate 180-day suspension for two disciplinary incidents.
• Investigators found Cuevas caused a preventable crash involving another police vehicle while responding to an emergency call.
• He was also found to have ignored multiple supervisory orders to stop following a fleeing vehicle during a separate incident in September 2024.
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