Prosecutor Sues Morris Co. Town Amid Law Enforcement Feud

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office (MCPO) has stepped in amid a long-term feud between the Township of Dover and its police department.

On Friday, the MCPO filed a lawsuit against the town regarding the recent approval of an ordinance that essentially demoted Dover Police Chief Jonathan Delaney and replaced him with a civilian director.

The ordinance in question, Ordinance No. 30-2025, calls for the abolition of the police chief and deputy chief positions, and the implementation of a township-appointed, civilian Director of Public Safety.

The ordinance further outlines that the Director of Public Safety is responsible for running the police department’s day-to-day operations, and when absent, the duties would fall upon Dover Business Administrator Edward Ramirez.

County prosecutors claim that the move violates state law and puts the Dover public at risk. If Dover wants to abolish the position of police chief, it needs to appoint a sworn officer in charge, not a civilian, prosecutors say.

Prosecutor Robert Carroll sent Dover Mayor James Dodd a written warning highlighting these concerns weeks before the township voted to approve the ordinance anyway, the suit says.

A Superior Court judge has temporarily blocked the actions set forth by Ordinance No. 30-2025 ahead of a November hearing that would decide whether the block becomes permanent.

The MCPO’s suit comes weeks after Delaney filed a separate lawsuit against the Town of Dover and Dodd, claiming the mayor “created an atmosphere of fear and intimidation in the Town of Dover,” the suit reads.

Delaney’s suit highlights nine claims, including retaliatory harassment, breach of contract, aiding and abetting, defamation/slander/libel, and First Amendment retaliation.

Additionally, the prosecutor's litigation follows a letter signed by nearly a dozen Morris County police chiefs that slams the Dover administration for what it calls "retaliatory and untruthful behavior."

See Related: Morris Co. Police Chiefs Slam Mayor Amid Long-Standing Feud

Dodd was not immediately available for comment regarding the MCPO's lawsuit.