County Prosecutor Looking Into Woodbridge Police Haircuts

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — The Middlesex County Prosecutor said he talked to the director of the Woodbridge police department after it was revealed this week that the department was giving haircuts to police officers at headquarters, in violation of Gov. Murphy's shutdown of barbershops and hair salons.

The county prosecutor also said he was looking into whether the Woodbridge PD used federal CARES Act funding to pay the barber for the haircuts.

"The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office became aware that the Woodbridge Police Department was securing hair cuts for members of their police department as a result of an article published on NJ.Com on June 16," said Acting Prosecutor Chris Kuberiet in a statement. "Upon learning of the activity, Director Robert Hubner of the Woodbridge Police Department was contacted and the practice was immediately discontinued."

The prosecutor also said that "at this time there is no indication that federal funds were utilized to secure haircuts for Woodbridge Township Police Officers, however, further information is being requested."

As Patch reported, the men and women of the Woodbridge police department were receiving haircuts outside Woodbridge police headquarters in March, April and May, while the state was on lockdown.

Like many police departments in the U.S., Woodbridge police officers must adhere to personal grooming regulations, which do not allow for beards or hair growth beyond a certain length. An unnamed barber contacted the Woodbridge police department and volunteered his services to cut the officers' hair, according to Woodbridge town spokesman John Hagerty.

Woodbridge paid the barber $1,605 to give the haircuts.

Woodbridge Police Director Robert Hubner first told the NJ.com reporter that the $1,605 to pay for the haircuts came from federal CARES Act funds, money used for coronavirus relief.

Hagerty told Patch that is not correct. Hagerty said the money came out of the police department's budget, which allows for payments for uniforms and personal items for officers.

Some civilian employees also received haircuts. The haircuts were given at the rear entrance of police headquarters, in the covered parking garage area, according to Hagerty. The barber came for a total of six visits.

After the story was published Tuesday, a Woodbridge business owner contacted the police and offered the $1,605 for the haircuts, as a donation to the Woodbridge police department.

Hagerty said the business owner wishes to remain anonymous at this time.

Related: Woodbridge Set Up Haircuts For Police Outside HQ During Lockdown