The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office is investigating an unspecified number of Union City police officers who may have potentially been paid for Route 495 off-duty security details that they did not actually work, multiple sources said.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
The HCPO began investigating the matter shortly after HCV reported that Union City Police Chief Nichelle Luster had sent out a memo informing her officers that she had been made aware of allegations of leaving details early and/or submitting “inaccurate detail slips,” several sources who spoke under the condition of anonymity said.
The Secaucus, Weehawken and North Bergen Police Departments were also allowed to work the details since Route 495 runs through all four municipalities, but the UCPD is the only one currently being investigated, according to sources with knowledge of the matter.
The situation, which has unfolded as the superior officers union is in the midst of contract negotiations, has created some unrest among the department.
Some ranking officers have entertained taking a vote of no confidence in Luster as tensions continue to rise, though not everyone believes that is a realistic possibility.
“If that was going to happen, it would’ve happened already,” one officer stated, noting that Monday evening’s union meeting was business as usual.
“We have the votes so it’s just a matter of whether we decide to take the vote [of no confidence] sooner or later,” another officer confidently stated.
The HCPO indicted four Jersey City police officers in June 2016 for allegedly being paid for no-show off-duty security details at the Pulaski Skyway, but none of those officers ended up being convicted when their cases went to trial.
A spokesman for the prosecutor’s office did not return an email seeking comment this morning.
