Hudson County Cop's Arrest Was Retaliation For Suit Against Chief, Lawyer Says

HUDSON COUNTY, NJ — A Hudson County police officer arrested Monday for spending too many hours at home was one of five who filed a lawsuit in March against the department's chief — accusing him of defecating in Police Department offices and other abusive behavior.

Rasheed Siyam, 27, was charged Monday with third-degree theft by deception (false impression), said the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office.

Prosecutors alleged that from November 2024 through May, Siyam "returned to his home while on duty" for 130 hours beyond the normal time allowed for meal breaks. That works out to an average of 18.5 hours per month.

Siyam was among five officers who, as reported by Patch in March, filed a lawsuit accusing their police chief of various forms of abuse. READ MORE: Police Chief Defecated In Office, Put Viagra In Office Coffee, NJ Cops Claim

On Tuesday's Syiam's lawyer, Patrick Toscano — who is representing him and the other officers in their case against the chief — said this week's arrest was "retaliatory in nature."

"That cannot be any more obvious, based upon the timing alone," he noted.

Toscano said his client has been suspended from the department without pay,.

He noted that Chief Robert Farley has not been suspended "or sent for a Fitness for Duty Examination." He called the disparity "both quizzical and bizarre to all of our clients."

Siyam was arrested at the Prosecutor's Office in Jersey City on Monday and then released to await his first court appearance, prosecutors said.

READ MORE: Police Chief Defecated In Office, Put Viagra In Office Coffee, NJ Cops Claim