Four cops arrested for drinking alcohol and forging documents in New Jersey – Cvbj.biz – Central Valley Business Journal

They went to bars and then lied in an attempt to cover it up, the prosecution claimed

The four detainees

Photo:
ESSEX COUNTY PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE / Courtesy

Four Newark (NJ) police officers, including a lieutenant, were charged Thursday with falsifying police records, said acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II.

The incident occurred on January 18 in Newark, the most populated city in New Jersey.

That day, according to the complaint, officers completed false patrol records that showed they were in places where they weren’t, as was later shown by surveillance footage and other evidence.

The officers were accused of going to bars and drinking alcohol while in uniform and on duty.

“The reprehensible behavior that allegedly occurred in this case undermines confidence in law enforcement and gives a bad name to the vast majority of our officers who risk their lives every day to protect the public,” Stephens said.

“Not only did these officers storm the city of Newark while on duty and in full uniform, but lied in an attempt to cover it up. The conduct of an officer put innocent people at risk,” he added.

Michael Chirico, 55, is accused of driving under the influence of alcohol and altering public records. Authorities are charging him with driving in the opposite direction on University Avenue. He is also allegedly hit a car driven by a woman with her four children on board.

Lieutenant Norberto Soares (42) and police officers Erik Blount (33) and Tashia Jones (35) were charged with altering public records, a third-degree crime, Pix reported.11

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