20 Jersey City police officers faced discipline from the department, with some internal affairs actions pending, according to the JCPD’s 2025 Annual Major Discipline Report.
By Dan Israel/Hudson County View
There were 20 officers listed in the report, two of which were cited twice, totaling 22 disciplinary actions.
While six officers resigned, retired, were transferred, or await pending internal affairs action, none were terminated as part of the disciplinary actions taken against them and only one was demoted according to the report.
“Det. [Jeffrey] Kochanski was absent from duty for an aggregate period of one (1) year in
violation of contract/statute,” the report says, noting that charges of chronic or excessive absenteeism were sustained.
Additionally, only a few cases ended in resignation, retirement, transfer, or pending internal affairs action, including former police detective and Jersey City Board of Education Vice President Dejon Morris.
Morris resigned after an incident in 2024 led to a neglect of duty charge, which he recently explained was “old news” as he has since “moved forward from the department.” His suspension would’ve been for 40 days.
Officer Andrew Lane received a 60-day suspension for failing to provide an adequate police response when responding to a domestic violence call.
“P.O. A. Lane responded to a domestic violence incident where the victim exhibited signs
of injury. Officer Lane failed to provide appropriate police services in accordance with NJ
AG DV guidelines,” the report details.
“Officer Lane’s overall course of conduct serves as a discredit to this department.”
Two other officers, Tequan Kitchens and Ihab Darl, were disciplined for not abiding by state directives when responding to domestic violence calls, with Kitchens personally committing the crime himself. They were suspended for 40 and 30 days, respectively.
“On 6/11/2023, P.O. T. Kitchens while on duty was issued a meal break. While on break, he
left his partner utilizing his personal vehicle to leave the city to commit an act of
Domestic Violence. He failed to notify his command he was leaving city limits.”
Similar to Morris, Officer Robyn Chong was suspended 30 days after a neglect of duty charge was sustained.
“P.O. Chong failed to abide by orders given by Internal Affairs to produce information and
documents for the investigator’s review, including medical records from her medical providers,” the report explained.
Further, Officer Mylove Robertson resigned, retired, was transferred, or faces pending actions from internal affairs after sustaining charges of chronic or excessive absenteeism after also being absent more than an aggregate of one year.
Officer Alberto Mauricio was suspended twice after sustaining charges related to obedience to laws, regulations, for having five or more illnesses or injuries within a 12-month period, according to the report.
Police Officer Richard Gomez resigned, retired, was transferred, or faces pending actions from Internal Affairs following sustained charges related to incompetency, inefficiency, or failure to perform duties, neglect of duty, obedience to laws, regulations, and orders, and responsibilities in general.
“On 06/11/24, P.O. Gomez responded to a suspected bias incident involving criminal
mischief, the use of a weapon, and bias slurs. He failed to provide appropriate action in violation of NJOAG Bias Incident Investigation Standards,” the discipline report details.
There were also a number of incidents that involved motor vehicles.
Officer Devon Stevens was suspended 30 days related to obedience to laws, regulations, and orders, failure to notify JCPD about his court appearance, conduct unbecoming of an officer, and conduct unbecoming of a public employee, among others related to his driver’s license, traffic laws, and court appearance.
According to the report, Stevens operated an unregistered/uninsured vehicle while his license was suspended in 2024, also failing to notify the police chief of his court dates and changes.
In addition, Stevens failed to appear in court and also operated his patrol vehicle multiple times during his license suspension, also earning the comment in the report that his “overall conduct serves as a discredit to this department.”
He was cited in the report a second time for a separate suspension after charges related to obedience of laws, regulations, and orders for responding to a call without wearing his police body camera.
Officer Brandan McWayne received a 90-day suspension related to conduct towards the public, traffic laws, knowledge of laws and regulations, and conduct unbecoming of an employee.
He allegedly drove an unmarked vehicle unsafely during a non-emergency call without proper signals, causing a civilian to brake suddenly, unaware it was the police.
The report concluded that McWayne acted unprofessionally and confrontational, failing to deescalate- which reflects behavior unbecoming of an officer.
Police Officer Edwin Hernandez resigned in lieu of discipline after sustaining charges related to conduct, orders, and obedience to laws, regulations and orders.
In 2024, Hernandez initiated a vehicle pursuit for fictitious registration which violates JCPD rules established earlier that year that motor vehicles violations are not reason to initiate a pursuit.
In addition, Det. Brian Tuazon was suspended eight days after it was determined he violated obedience to laws, regulations, and orders.
In 2024, Tuazon used an improvised tire deflation device during a vehicle pursuit and failed to activate his body worn camera at the commencement of the pursuit violating pursuit policy, the report states.
Police disciplinary disclosures became mandatory following a 2020 directive from the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office.
As a result, New Jersey law enforcement agencies are technically required to post on their website by January 31st of each year, but many still just submit to the AG’s office through an online portal.