Lawrence Police Issue Annual Internal Affairs Summary

Editor's Note: The following is a news release issued by Lawrence Township Police.

The New Jersey Attorney General Guidelines on Internal Affairs, amended September 2011, require each police department to release reports to the public summarizing the allegations received and the investigations concluded for that period.

The Attorney General also requires the department to periodically release a brief synopsis of all complaints where a fine or suspension in the amount of 10 days or more was assessed to a member of the department.

During 2012, the Officer Accountability Bureau received 38 complaints about officer conduct. 

Four complaints were received alleging excessive force, none for improper arrest, two for improper entry and one for improper search.  

One complaint was received alleging differential treatment, six for demeanor, 23 for other rule violations and none alleging a potential crime.

Of these 38 complaints, none have resulted in officers being prosecuted for criminal charges.

Ten of the complaints were sustained, five were exonerated, six not sustained and four were considered unfounded. Ten cases were administratively closed. 

As of the end of 2012, three cases are still under investigation. 

No officers of the Lawrence Township Police Department have been disciplined as a result of an internal affairs complaint where the suspension or fine imposed was 10 days or more for the period of Jan. 1, 2012, to Dec. 31, 2012.