Chatham Police Weighs In On AG Disciplinary Report Directive

CHATHAM, NJ — With New Jersey’s Supreme Court backing Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal’s directive that police departments must publicly release some disciplinary records within approximately 60 days - a decision the State PBA’s president called “frustrating and disappointing” - the Chatham Township Police Department is one that has said it intends to follow Grewal’s directive.

“We will release our agency’s report within the timeline established in AG Directive 2021-6,” said Chief Thomas Miller of the Chatham Township Police Department.

“Our report will be posted on our department’s website, with other required internal affairs annual reports,” Miller added.

According to Grewal’s 102-page directive and the June 7 court ruling, law enforcement agencies must publicly share information about officers' disciplinary violations deemed “serious” by Aug. 9, from incidents dated June 15 to Dec. 31, 2020.

Every year following, reports of these types of incidents must be shared with the public by Jan. 31 of the next calendar year.

Among the criteria departments are supposed to share publicly are police department suspensions in excess of five days, terminations and demotions of rank or grade.

"By lifting the cloak of secrecy over our state's police disciplinary process, we are not simply ensuring accountability for those who engage in misconduct," he said. "We are also demonstrating that the vast majority of law enforcement officers work hard and play by the rules."

Josh Bakan contributed reporting to this story.

Questions or comments about this story? Contact me at: jennifer.miller@patch.com.