Big Payout For Morris Co. Cop Following Retaliation Suit

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — A jury has awarded a Rockaway police officer upwards of $80,000 after finding that he was deliberately denied promotions from his superiors.

In 2023, Rockaway Police Officer Gregory Albert filed suit against Rockaway Township, claiming that he was passed over on promotions and retaliated against for his activity in the police union.

Issues arose when Albert raised concerns about the department’s faulty portable radios and car radios, which, by not working properly, created a safety hazard for officers and the public, the suit says.

According to the court documents, Albert raised these concerns to his superiors, who did not take action. Once he brought the issues up to the state Policemen’s Benevolent Association (PBA), for which he serves as Rockaway Police Department’s delegate, the group voted to file a complaint with the state’s Public Employee Occupational Safety and Health Act (PEOSHA).

The complaint resulted in Rockaway Township having to spend “significant funds” to repair the faulty radio systems.

Albert’s suit alleged that his complaint, and the fact that it required the township to pay a decent sum of money, is the reason he was retaliated against.

Over the next several years, Albert would not only be passed over on several promotion opportunities, which were given to less-experienced officers, but he also endured unfair discipline, including suspensions.

“Defendants (Rockaway Township) have engaged in retaliation against Plaintiff (Albert) and violated Plaintiff’s rights with willful or wanton negligence, or recklessness, and a conscious disregard of the rights of Plaintiff or conduct so reckless as to amount to such disregard,” the suit reads.

On Oct. 28, Albert was awarded $36,000 in back pay, $30,000 in front pay, and $15,000 for emotional distress, totaling $81,000.