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New Jersey Police Chief Faces Scrutiny Over Allegations of Misconduct and Workplace Harassment
A North Bergen, New Jersey, police chief is under intense scrutiny following disturbing allegations that surfaced Wednesday, accusing him of spiking colleagues’ coffee with prescription drugs like Viagra and Adderall, as well as engaging in unsanitary acts and physically assaulting an officer. Legal documents detail accusations of inappropriate conduct and paint a picture of a hostile work environment within the police department. These claims have led to significant controversy and calls for a thorough investigation into the chief’s behavior and leadership.
Accusations of Toxic Workplace Culture
According to legal filings from a group of officers preparing to take legal action against him and the township, Police Chief Robert Farley purportedly cultivated a climate of humiliation, harassment, and vulgarity within the North Bergen Police Department since assuming his position last year. The officers allege a pattern of disturbing behavior extending beyond mere unprofessionalism.
Details of Alleged Misconduct
The legal documents outline a series of alarming accusations against Chief Farley, including:
- Drug Tampering: Allegedly spiking coworkers’ coffee with erectile dysfunction medication (Viagra) and stimulant medication (Adderall).
- Unsanitary Conduct: Accusations of defecating on office floors and in inappropriate places.
- Physical Assault: An officer claims Farley jabbed him with a hypodermic needle through his clothing, penetrating his penis.
- Food Tampering: Allegedly placing hot peppers in officers’ food, causing discomfort and illness due to fumes.
- Harassment: Accused of sending sex toys and gay pride flags to an officer’s residence and throwing eggs in anger.
Legal Action and Officer Statements
Five officers have initiated legal proceedings in anticipation of a lawsuit, citing retaliation, harassment, and discrimination allegedly suffered under Chief Farley’s leadership and within the purportedly toxic work environment he fostered.
“I’ve never encountered anything of this nature in my career,” stated Patrick Toscano, the attorney representing the officers, to NJ.com.
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Timeline of Alleged Events and Specific Incidents
Robert Farley’s tenure as police chief commenced in February 2024, following over two decades of service with the department. Subordinates claim the alleged harassment began shortly after he assumed command.
Hypodermic Needle Incident
Captain Michael F. Derin, assigned to an administrative role, stated that Chief Farley chased him within the office, cornered him, and then poked him with a hypodermic needle through his pants and into his penis in August 2024.
Derin asserted in his notice of claim, a preliminary step to a lawsuit, that when he expressed his displeasure to Chief Farley, the chief dismissed it, saying he “didn’t know how to take a joke.”
Derin further claimed Farley shaved body hair onto personal belongings and food.
Retaliation Claims
According to the notice, when Captain Derin planned to report the chief’s actions to the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, he was terminated. His son, Detective Michael A. Derin, allegedly faced unfavorable shift assignments as a consequence.
Unsanitary Behavior Allegations
Lieutenant Alex Guzman corroborated claims of unsanitary behavior, documenting multiple instances of Farley allegedly relieving himself outside of restroom facilities.
Guzman stated in his notice of claim, “Chief Farley has, on numerous occasions, lowered his trousers and defecated on the floor in the presence of his entire office staff.” He further alleged an incident where Farley defecated in the trash receptacle of his departing office, purportedly intended for the incoming police official to discover.
Coffee and Food Tampering
The notice of claim details an incident where Chief Farley purportedly added hot peppers to employees’ food and heated it in a microwave. The resulting fumes allegedly caused a lieutenant to become ill.
Guzman also stated, “Chief Farley has also contaminated office coffee by introducing prescription medications such as Adderall and Viagra, causing personnel to unknowingly experience the effects of these substances without their knowledge or permission.”
Concerns over Coffee Safety
Detective Derin Jr. indicated he resorted to using a coffee machine due to concerns about the safety of the communal coffee pot, based on his notice of claim.
Additional Officer Allegations
Officer Rasheed Siyam alleged experiencing racist remarks within the department and claimed reassignment as retaliation for whistleblowing. Officer Christopher Bowen asserted he was also unjustly reassigned as retaliation for refusing to meet an illegal ticket quota.
Township Response
North Bergen officials have voiced support for their police chief amidst the unfolding accusations. Speaking to NBC News, the town declared it “has full confidence in Chief Robert Farley’s leadership.”
A town spokesperson issued a statement, asserting, “We vehemently deny these spurious and outlandish claims made by disgruntled officers who are resorting to character assassination of a dedicated public servant to advance their own self-serving agendas.”
“To prevent any appearance of impropriety and because we are fully convinced that these allegations will be proven baseless, we have proactively referred them to the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office for review.”