Saddle Brook, NJ – A Saddle Brook police officer has been charged with aggravated assault, tampering with public records, and obstruction following an investigation into his conduct during an arrest, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced.
Attilio Dente, 43, a member of the Saddle Brook Police Department, was arrested July 2 after an investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Confidential Investigations Unit.
Investigation began after use-of-force referral
According to prosecutors, the Saddle Brook Police Department referred information to the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office on June 10 regarding alleged violations of the department’s use-of-force policy.
Investigators determined that on June 9, while attempting to arrest a man, Dente allegedly struck him in the head with his firearm, causing bodily injury.
False report and body camera allegations
The investigation also concluded that Dente allegedly made a false entry in an incident report and intentionally deactivated his body-worn camera while at the scene.
As a result, prosecutors charged Dente with third-degree aggravated assault, third-degree tampering with public records, and fourth-degree obstruction of the administration of law.
Dente was released pending further court proceedings.
Related: Saddle Brook, Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, Police, Aggravated Assault, Body Camera
