A Union City police sergeant has been suspended after being charged with drunk driving earlier this year, according to a personnel order and sources familiar with the situation.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“Effective immediately Patricia Lazzarini is suspended from her position as a Union City Police Sergeant and no longer has police powers,” Police Chief Nichelle Luster wrote in a personnel order obtained by HCV.
“Lazzarini is prohibited from unaccompanied access to secure police areas/any area not accessible to the public.”
Her suspension went into effect on February 19th and while the reason wasn’t provided in the order, the disciplinary action was handed down after Lazzarini was arrested for driving while intoxicated outside of Union City, sources, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, said.
According to public records, Lazzarini became a Union City police officer in 2010 and earned a salary of $146,898 last year.
Luster and a city spokeswoman did not immediately return an email seeking comment.
