Crime & Safety
Roseland Police Officer From West Caldwell Accused Of Sex Assault
A West Caldwell man who works as a police officer in Roseland has been accused of repeatedly having sex with a juvenile, prosecutors said.
ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — A West Caldwell man who works as a police officer in Roseland has been accused of repeatedly having sex with a juvenile, authorities announced Wednesday.
Richard Haffner, 43, was taken into custody without incident. He was arrested on 21 charges, including aggravated sexual assault, endangering the welfare of a minor and witness tampering, according to a joint statement from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and the West Caldwell/Roseland police departments.
Authorities allege that Haffner committed the assaults on a single juvenile victim between April 2019 and February 2021. The assaults apparently occurred while Haffner was off-duty, prosecutors said.
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The joint investigation also resulted in an unrelated charge against Haffner for “engaging in prostitution as a patron,” authorities said.
No additional details were immediately available. Anyone with information can contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit at 973-753-1130.
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Haffner has been suspended without pay from the police department since Friday, Roseland Mayor James Spango told NJ.com.
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