Investigation Shows Management Woes In Saddle Brook PD: Reports

SADDLE BROOK, NJ — A report by the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office called out "serious deficiencies in the leadership and operations" of the Saddle Brook Police Department, according to Northjersey.com.

The report stated that the department was understaffed, poorly led and using outdated equipment and policies, and placed the responsibility on suspended Police Chief Robert Kugler.

Kugler was charged in March with conspiracy, official misconduct and corruption of public resources for ordering his officers to use police department vehicles to perform police escorts for funerals at the funeral home he owns, Kugler Funeral Home, the state attorney general's office said.

Since then, the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office took over day-to-day operations at the department.

READ MORE: Saddle Brook Police Chief Facing Conspiracy, Misconduct Charges

Kugler is also currently running for Bergen County sheriff, with support from the Bergen County Republican Organization.

He responded to the recent report from the prosecutor's office by calling it “just the opinions of someone who went in there for less than two months," according to NorthJersey.com.

READ MORE: Bergen GOP Endorses Kugler For Sheriff Amid Corruption Charges

Kugler has served as the chief of police in Saddle Brook since 1995, making him the longest-tenured chief since the department started in 1942.

He will run against incumbent Democrat Bergen County Sheriff Anthony Cureton, whom he faced off against in 2018.

Additional reporting by Montana Samuels