Parsippany PD Awaits Guidance On Release Of Disciplinary Records

PARSIPPANY, NJ — Parsippany police and all law-enforcement agencies in the state will soon need to release certain disciplinary records. With an August deadline looming, the Parsippany Police Department will await further direction before releasing such information.

The New Jersey Supreme Court ruled unanimously June 7 that the Office of Attorney General can order the release of "serious" disciplinary violations since June 15 through the end of 2020. June 15, 2020, reflects the date of Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal's original order, which became the center of a year-long court battle.

Departments will be required to disclose firings, reductions in rank or grade and suspensions of more than five days. Grewal set a 60-day deadline June 9 for each agency to release such information. Read more: NJ Police Depts. Have 2 Months To Release Disciplinary Reports

Parsippany police will get further direction from the Morris County Prosecutor's Office, according to Sgt. Brian Conover.

"At the current time our department is reviewing the court's decision and awaiting on the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office to issue a directive regarding the disclosure of such information," said Conover, Parsippany PD's public information officer.

Parsippany's Police Benevolent Association regularly shares Facebook posts from the state PBA. The organization shared a June 7 statement from state PBA President Pat Colligan, who called the ruling "frustrating and disappointing."

"The NJSPBA does not and will not protect bad officers who violate the public trust and, yet, the 99.9% of good men and women serving in law enforcement continue to find themselves under attack," Colligan said.

But Colligan praised a provision that allows officers who agreed to discipline under the assumption that it would remain confidential, to seek a judge's approval to keep the records secret.

"We are pleased that the court recognized that many officers only resolved disciplinary actions because they received specific promises of confidentiality which they relied upon, and that they are entitled to a hearing before release of any information regarding events that may have occurred decades ago," Colligan said. "We continue to be disappointed in the Attorney General's ongoing refusal to meet with us to discuss fairness within police reform as well as his continuing attacks on law enforcement."

The Parsippany PBA did not return further comment to Patch.

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