No Cherry Hill Police Officers Named In NJ 'Discipline' Report

CHERRY HILL, NJ — No Cherry Hill police officers were among the dozens across New Jersey named in a first-of-its-kind "discipline" report released on Tuesday.

The report publicly identifies officers who received "major discipline" between June 15, 2020 and Dec. 31, 2020. That includes terminations, demotions and suspensions that lasted for more than five days.

See the full report here.

It comes after an order from former state Attorney General Gurbir Grewal that was opposed by police unions, which argued that releasing the information would needlessly shame many officers accused of minor infractions. But according to Grewal, the move was needed to help "lift the cloak of secrecy" over the state's police disciplinary process.

The New Jersey Supreme Court eventually ruled in favor of releasing the information.

Some police departments chose to describe the reasons for discipline with only a single sentence, or provided limited details for Tuesday's report.

Tuesday's report is just the beginning, according to the New Jersey Attorney General's Office. Moving forward, local police departments will be required to release local information on a yearly basis.

Acting Attorney General Andrew Bruck said the move is an "important step forward," but added that he "takes no joy" in pointing a finger at officers.

"We are releasing this information not to shame or embarrass individual officers, but to provide the same type of transparency and accountability in policing that New Jersey mandates in other essential professions," Bruck said.

Bruck added that the vast majority of New Jersey's law enforcement officers serve the public with honor and integrity, "doing the right thing day-in and day-out" for the communities they serve.

The following disciplinary actions were taken against officers in other Camden County law enforcement agencies:

Camden County Corrections:

• An officer was suspended 40 days for failing to report an off-duty accident to the department
• Two officers were suspended 10 days for not following protocols related to the coronavirus pandemic
• An officer was suspended 10 days for violating the sick leave policy
• Two officers were suspended 20 days for being absent from work without leave
• An officer was suspended 10 days for being absent from work without leave
• An officer was suspended 10 days for not following admissions protocol
• An officer was suspended 30 days for violating post policy and not wearing a facemask properly
• An officer was suspended 25 days for excessive lateness
• An officer was suspended six days for excessive lateness
• An officer was suspended 10 days for failing to notify supervisor of a medical emergency
• An officer was suspended 45 days for failing to properly supervise staff
• An officer was suspended six days for failing to inspect a mall property
• An officer was suspended six days for failing to conduct a clinic run in a timely manner
• An officer was suspended six days for failing to conduct initial headcounts and cell inspections

Camden County Police:

• An officer was suspended an unspecified number of days for failure to manage a critical incident
• An officer was suspended 10 days for falling asleep while on duty

Camden County Sheriff's Office:

• An officer was suspended 30 days for conduct unbecoming an officer after being involved in a domestic dispute
• An officer was suspended for 12 days for calling out sick to attend a party

Gloucester Township Police Department:

• An officer was suspended 60 days for being involved in a crash and being issued a summons for reckless driving
• An officer was suspended 10 days for not properly caring for assigned equipment

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