Red Bank Police Chief Put On Leave Amid State AG Scrutiny

RED BANK, NJ — Police Chief Darren McConnell, who until January was also the interim borough manager, has been placed on administrative leave after a state review of his management of the department, Borough Manager James Gant confirmed.

"The Borough is handling a confidential personnel matter regarding the chief and has made the decision to place the chief on administrative leave," Gant said Wednesday.

He said the Police Department is "in the competent command of Capt. Mike Frazee at this time," as commanding officer. Frazee has previously been tapped to become police chief once McConnell is able to retire.

"I feel very confident in Capt. Frazee's leadership," Gant said.

McConnell, chief since December 2013, had planned to retire last July 31, but a complaint by the local PBA about the management of the department went to the state Attorney General's office, delaying his retirement under state pension rules.

Gant said the findings of the report are not being released by the borough. The state has not released the report either, and a request for comment from the state was not immediately available Wednesday.

"Any reports associated are a part of the chief's personnel file and will not be released by the borough," Gant said. "Due to the confidential nature of the matter, we will not provide further comment," he added Wednesday.

In August of 2023, the PBA came to a Borough Council meeting to make public criticisms about McConnell.

At the time, after the change in the form of government to Council/Manager, McConnell was to be named interim manager. He has been the interim administrator previously, wearing two hats after the resignation of the previous administrator.

At the meeting, the PBA announced its vote of "no confidence" in the chief.

PBA Local #39 President Mike Zadlock, with his executive committee in attendance at the meeting, told the council that he had been seeking a meeting, under grievance procedures, with the previous council and the current council (seated on July 1, 2023) regarding morale that he said is "completely destroyed" on the police force.

Zadlock said the "unprecedented" vote of no confidence in McConnell was taken on July 10, approved by a "vast majority" of membership.

He said the PBA vote was the result of issues the union had with McConnell, including accusations of "selective enforcement" of policies, "favoritism and nepotism" and what he termed an "inappropriate" relationship with an officer who is now McConnell's wife.

McConnell responded to the comments by the PBA several months ago, stating, in part, "While I cannot and will not discuss any ongoing investigation or any personnel matters, this clearly has become more about personal issues than professional ones."

You can read his full comments, as well as other background on the matter, by clicking here for a past Patch article.