Sparta Police Weigh In On AG Disciplinary Report Directive

SPARTA, 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 Sparta Township Police Department is one that has said it intends to follow Grewal’s directive.

“We have received the AG’s directive and we will abide by it,” Lt. John Lamon, a spokesperson for Sparta’s Police Department, said Friday.

“Our Department has always been transparent in our dealings with the public and we thoroughly review and investigate any complaints by the public,” Lamon added. “We have very well trained officers who deal with the public fairly and impartially.”

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," Grewal 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.