New ‘Major Discipline’ Report For West Orange Police Released By NJAG Office

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The West Orange Police Department had a "major discipline case" that was included in a new report from the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office.

On Monday, the state AG office released its annual Major Discipline Report, which lists details for hundreds of police officers in the state. The report covers the period from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2024.

According to the attorney general’s office, “major discipline” is defined as terminations, reductions in rank, or suspension of more than five days. Pending cases are not included in the data set.

The latest report lists one such case for the West Orange Police Department:

• An officer was suspended for 10 days after being involved in an on-duty motor vehicle crash in a marked patrol unit in October 2023. The officer was found to be at fault. An internal affairs investigation determined that he allegedly didn't take "appropriate actions or follow proper procedure after the crash," failing to notify the communications center or check the welfare of the other parties involved in a timely manner. The officer also violated a directive by prematurely deactivating his body-worn camera before the conclusion of the incident. The internal affairs investigation was sustained in February 2024. The officer was charged with conduct unbecoming and disciplined by serving a 10-day suspension without pay. No termination or demotion took place, the AG office reported.

According to statewide statistics, there were 644 major discipline actions taken by 172 police agencies against 543 officers in New Jersey last year. The most frequently occurring offenses were related to attendance, including lateness and call-outs too close to the start of a shift.

Attorney General Matthew Platkin said that the vast majority of New Jersey’s police officers risk their own safety to protect others and to serve their communities. These officers “conduct themselves with honor and courage,” he said.

“Publicly releasing this data about the handling of disciplinary matters helps maintain the public’s trust in those dedicated, hardworking men and women of law enforcement,” Platkin said.

• See Related: West Orange Police Chief Is Retiring After 45 Years With Township
• See Related: Empathy For Mental Health Crises Is Paying Off For West Orange Police

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