...The suit also claimed McMenamin was unfairly passed over as Parker's successor because of his role as a whistle-blower in an internal investigation of a physical confrontation [DOMESTIC VIOLENCE] and alleged affair between the chief's son, Capt. Larry Parker Jr., and officer Cheryl Silva...After 2 years, Stafford settles former police lieutenant's lawsuit for $177,000
Asbury Park Press - Asbury Park,NJ
Manahawkin Bureau
By Matt Pais
May 26, 2008
A lawsuit filed more than two years ago by a then-township police lieutenant accusing department members of misconduct and claiming the officer was unfairly passed over for a promotion to chief has been settled. John McMenamin, who spent 21 years with the Stafford Police Department, sought $8.6 million in a suit filed in November 2005. He was awarded $177,000 in the settlement... Mayor Carl W. Block said the township is pleased with the terms of the agreement, which also resolves an outstanding workers' compensation claim related to a July 4, 2005 all-terrain vehicle accident that ended McMenamin's tenure with the department. "We felt this was a case that was very, very baseless. We never thought there was any substance to it," Block said. In the lawsuit, McMenamin charged retiring police Chief Larry D. Parker of covering up drug use, animal cruelty, sex with minors and other misdeeds within a department he presided over for 30 years. The suit also claimed McMenamin was unfairly passed over as Parker's successor because of his role as a whistle-blower in an internal investigation of a physical confrontation and alleged affair between the chief's son, Capt. Larry Parker Jr., and officer Cheryl Silva... [Full article here]
My notes & blurbs as I've followed what happened with Officer Cheryl Silva:
02/12/05
OFFICER CHERYL SILVA - IA WON'T LET IT BE LABELED A "DOMESTIC"
...WHEN (OFFICERS) MCKENNA AND HALDENWANG ATTEMPTED TO LABEL THE SCUFFLE BETWEEN (THE CHIEF'S SON, CPT. LARRY) PARKER AND (OFFICER CHERYL) SILVA AS A DOMESTIC INCIDENT, INTERNAL AFFAIRS INVESTIGATOR LT. THOMAS CONROY OBJECTED, SAYING THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PARKER AND SILVA, THE SOURCES SAID. THE OFFICERS DISAGREED, BUT WERE OVERRULED. SILVA WAS NOT CHARGED WITH A CRIME BUT WAS PLACED ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE, SOURCES SAID...
02/11/05
OFFICER CHERYL SILVA "SCUFFLES" W/3 OFFICERS (INCL. CHIEF'S SON)
...ONE OF THE THREE OFFICERS WHO RESPONDED TO PARKER'S 911 CALL FOR HELP THAT NIGHT FELT HE WAS PRESSURED BY HIS SUPERIORS TO DOWNPLAY THE INCIDENT ON AN INVESTIGATION REPORT. SHIVES SAID HE WAS TOLD IN A MEMO LATE LAST WEEK THAT SILVA WAS PLACED ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE AND THERE WERE POSSIBLE CHARGES OF CONDUCT UNBECOMING AN OFFICER. BUT SHIVES SAID HE WAS NEVER TOLD OF PARKER'S INVOLVEMENT. HE SAID IT WAS ONLY WHEN HIS OFFICE RECEIVED TELEPHONE CALLS FROM REPORTERS AND OTHERS ABOUT THE INCIDENT THAT HE QUESTIONED POLICE...
2/26/05
COP ON COP? OFFICER CHERYL SILVA & CHIEFS SON CPT PARKER
...SAMARITANO SAID IN HIS REPORT THAT LT. THOMAS CONROY, THE PATROL DIVISION'S SECOND-IN-COMMAND AND THE INTERNAL AFFAIRS INVESTIGATOR, WENT TO THE HOSPITAL AND TOLD HIM THAT THE INCIDENT WAS NOT AN ACT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DESPITE WHAT SILVA SAID DURING A 911 CALL... SILVA HAS NOT BEEN CHARGED WITH A CRIME. CAPT. PARKER TOLD THE OFFICERS AT THE SCENE THAT HE WOULD NOT PRESS CHARGES AGAINST HER BECAUSE "SHE WAS DRUNK AND NOT HERSELF"...
3/2/05
OFFICER SILVA'S DV (SHHH) WITH CHIEF'S SON/CHIEF-TO-BE-IN-NOV.
...AN INVESTIGATION BY THE OCEAN COUNTY PROSECUTOR INTO A FIGHT INVOLVING FOUR POLICE OFFICERS, INCLUDING THE CHIEF'S SON AND THE DEPARTMENT'S ONLY FEMALE OFFICER, HAS CONCLUDED IT IS AN ADMINISTRATIVE MATTER, WITH THE TOWNSHIP RESPONSIBLE FOR DECIDING ON DISCIPLINARY ACTION... SILVA WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY AND LATER TO SOUTHERN OCEAN COUNTY HOSPITAL, WHERE SHE WAS TREATED FOR INJURIES SUFFERED WHILE RESISTING ARREST...
3/3/05
OFFICER SILVA & CHIEF'S SON - NONE SIGNED COMPLAINTS
...ACCORDING TO TRANSCRIPTS OF A TAPED INTERVIEW OF SAMARITANO, CONDUCTED BY CONROY ON FEB. 14., THE ORIGINAL CALL FROM POLICE DISPATCH SAID THAT THE SITUATION WAS A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ACT. SAMARITANO SAID... WHILE HE WAS AT SILVA'S RESIDENCE, (CHIEF'S SON) PARKER JR. CALLED HIM AND SAID "THIS ISN'T A DV, THIS ISN'T A DV. WE ARE JUST FRIENDS... I'M NOT GOING TO SIGN ANY COMPLAINTS AGAINST HER"...
3/4/05
HERE IT COMES ON OFFICER CHERYL SILVA ( UNH HUNH...)
...SILVA TOLD 911 OPERATORS THAT SHE AND CAPT. PARKER, HER "BOYFRIEND," WERE ENGAGED IN A DOMESTIC DISPUTE. SHE HAS SINCE RECANTED STATEMENTS SHE MADE IN THE CALL. CAPT. PARKER ALSO HAS DENIED A ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIP.. POLICE CAPT. PARKER JR. ON THURSDAY ENDED HIS BID TO SUCCEED HIS FATHER AS CHIEF, ONE MONTH AFTER A REPORTED SCUFFLE AT THE CAPTAIN'S HOME WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S ONLY FEMALE OFFICER... PARKER HAS DENIED HAVING A ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIP WITH SILVA, TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN SKEPTICAL AND HAVE QUESTIONED WHETHER HE IS READY TO FILL HIS FATHER'S SHOES...
3/5/05
"KEEP CHIEF OUT OF IT" EDITORIAL
...SHIVES SAID WEDNESDAY HE HAD COMPLETE CONFIDENCE IN PARKER'S ABILITY TO RENDER AN OBJECTIVE RULING. WHETHER THE CONFIDENCE IS WARRANTED OR NOT, THE CHIEF SHOULD NOT BE ASKED TO RULE IN A CASE IN WHICH HE HAS A DIRECT PERSONAL INTEREST... GIVEN THE SERIOUS NATURE OF THE INCIDENT, THE CONFLICTING ACCOUNTS, THE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CAPT. PARKER AND SILVA AND THE FACT THAT CAPT. PARKER IS THE POLICE CHIEF'S SON, CHIEF PARKER MUST NOT BE ALLOWED TO SERVE AS THE HEARING OFFICER...
3/10/05
CHIEF FORCED TO BACK OFF OFFICER CHERYL SILVA (DV) CASE
...
3/14/05
SILVA ON MY MIND.
I CAN'T GET CHERYL SILVA OUT OF MY HEAD. I AM CONCERNED IN THIS TOWN OF STAFFORD, THAT OFFICER SILVA WAS IN FACT PROTECTING HERSELF - AND THAT BECAUSE SHE WAS PROTECTING HERSELF FROM THE SON OF THE POLICE CHIEF, CAPT PARKER, THE WHOLE MACHINE IS TURNED ON HER. THAT WOULDN'T BE "PROFESSIONAL" OF ME TO SAY IF I WAS A PROFESSIONAL, BUT I'M NOT. JUST A CHICK WITH A COMPUTER. AND I COULD BE WRONG. JUST CUZ I'VE READ THOUSANDS OF ARTICLES ON COP FIGHTS DOESN'T MEAN I KNOW WHAT HAPPENED IN THAT HOUSE THAT NIGHT. ONLY THEY DO. SHE COULD BE A WILD MAN-ATTACKING WHACKO-WHEN-DRUNK AND TRULY COULD HAVE ATTACKED TWO MORE OFFICERS BEFORE THE NIGHT WAS THROUGH. BUT I REALLY IN MY HEART
JUST DON'T FEEL THAT'S THE CASE. I NEEDED TO SAY THAT HERE.
I WORRY WHEN I THINK PEOPLE NEED HELP.
AN EXCERPT FROM ONE OF THE ARTICLES:
...HALDENWANG SAID IN HIS REPORT THAT WHEN HE ARRIVED AT PARKER'S HOUSE, THERE WERE SIGNS A STRUGGLE HAD OCCURRED. "PARKER HAD A BLOODY LIP AND SEVERAL SCRATCHES ON HIS NECK, WHEN HE LIFTED HIS SHIRT A RED WELT WAS APPARENT ON HIS UPPER LEFT RIB CAGE," THE REPORT STATES. "A DISPLAY CASE WITH GLASS DOORS HAD THE LARGE DOOR PANEL SHATTERED." THE HOUSE APPEARED RANSACKED, AND A TELEPHONE HAD BEEN RIPPED FROM A WALL, THE OFFICERS OBSERVED...
3/18/05
OFFICER SILVA'S NON-DV: CHIEF'S SON REJOINS RACE FOR DADS JOB
...POLICE CAPT. LARRY D. PARKER JR. ON THURSDAY RESURRECTED HIS CAMPAIGN TO SUCCEED HIS FATHER AS CHIEF, EXACTLY TWO WEEKS AFTER WITHDRAWING HIS NAME AS A CANDIDATE.... "THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL RESERVE THE RIGHT AT ALL TIMES TO SELECT A CHIEF WHO IS THE BEST CANDIDATE IN THEIR JUDGMENT," SHIVES SAID...
3/24/05
UNBELIEVABLY, ANOTHER TURN IN OFFICER CHERYL SILVA'S CASE
...CHIEF'S SON IS IN AN ALTERCATION SAID TO BE OFFICER CHERYL SILVA'S FAULT. SHE ALLEGEDLY IS THE ATTACKER. (COULD BE. COULD BE NOT. OFFICER SILVA IS THE ONLY ONE NOT HEARD FROM IN ANY OF THE ARTICLES.) SHE SAID IT WAS DOMESTIC, THE OFFICERS WHO WENT ON THE CALL SAID IT WAS DOMESTIC, BUT THE CHIEF'S SON SAID NO IT WASN'T. INTERNAL INVESTIGATIONS WOULD NOT ALLOW IT TO BE DOCUMENTED AS A DOMESTIC.
BEFORE ALL OF THIS HAPPENED, THE CHIEF'S SON WAS SUPPOSED TO BE CHIEF COME NOVEMBER.
SO THEN WHAT?
IT WAS GOING TO BE HANDLED ADMINISTRATIVELY, CHIEF SAID "I GOT THIS."
THEN THE PROSECUTOR STEPPED IN AND TOOK IT,
THEN THE CHIEF SAID NO I'LL HANDLE THIS,
THEN THE CITY MANAGER (OVER THE OBJECTING MAYOR) ORDERED THE CHIEF TO STEP DOWN FROM IT,
THEN A JUDGE WAS ASSIGNED TO IT FROM THE OUTSIDE - TO AVOID ANY "POSSIBILITY" OF THE APPEARANCE OF FUNNY-STUFF (THOUGH WHO WAS THAT JUDGE? THE CHIEF-DEFENDING-MAYOR APPROVED OF HIM, SO HMM...) -
THEN THE PROSECUTOR GOT IT BACK, AND NOW THE PROSECUTOR - DUE TO UNDISCLOSED "NEW INFORMATION" - IS HANDING IT BACK TO THE TOWN TO HANDLE IT ADMINISTRATIVELY.
DID I GET THAT RIGHT?
4/6/05
OFFICER CHERYL SILVA UPDATE: NO COVER-UP OF POLICE FIGHT
...A FLURRY OF ANONYMOUS TIPSTERS LAST MONTH ALLEGED A COVER-UP AT POLICE HEADQUARTERS REGARDING THE FEB. 1 FIGHT BETWEEN CAPT. LARRY D. PARKER JR. AND PATROLWOMAN CHERYL SILVA... IN ADDITION TO CLOSING THE BOOK ON AN ALLEGED COVER-UP AT HEADQUARTERS, SOURCES FAMILIAR WITH THE MATTER SAID THE PROSECUTOR HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND ANY EVIDENCE PARKER AND SILVA EVER HAD OR WERE HAVING A ROMANTIC OR SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP... ANY SUCH RELATIONSHIP WOULD HAVE BEEN A VIOLATION OF DEPARTMENTAL PROCEDURES...
NOTE: YA KNOW, I'VE READ EVERYTHING PUBISHED ON THE WEB ABOUT SILVA (21 ARTICLES) AND IMAGINE MY SURPRISE TO FIND OUT THAT THE INVESTIGATION WAS INTO WHETHER THERE WAS A COVER-UP OR NOT. IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING WHAT I THINK OF THE RESULTS.
4/27/05
OFFICER CHERYL SILVA - CITY OFFICIALS NEVER TALKED TO HER? -
...PATROLWOMAN CHERYL SILVA IS SCHEDULED TO MEET NEXT WEEK WITH TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE SHE WAS ACCUSED OF ASSAULTING THE POLICE CHIEF'S SON, A CAPTAIN ON THE FORCE, BEFORE THREATENING TO KILL HERSELF WITH HER HANDGUN...
5/13/05
...IN THE STATEMENT WEDNESDAY,
8/20/05
OFFICER CHERYL SILVA IS BACK (THIS IS AWFUL!!!!)
...CHERYL SILVA RETURNED TO WORK AS A POLICE OFFICER THIS WEEK AFTER A 90-DAY SUSPENSION AND AFTER FORFEITING 25 PERCENT OF HER $82,229 ANNUAL SALARY FOR ASSAULTING THREE OF HER COLLEAGUES, INCLUDING THE CHIEF'S SON... THE INCIDENT LED TO ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT PERIODS FOR THE STAFFORD POLICE FORCE IN ITS RECENT HISTORY. DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS STRUGGLED WITH UNPRECEDENTED LEAKS OF CONFIDENTIAL POLICE DOCUMENTS TO LOCAL NEWSPAPERS ABOUT THE INCIDENT AND REPORTS OF A COVER-UP AT POLICE HEADQUARTERS...
OCT 30, 2005
OFFICER CHERYL SILVA COVER-UP GETTING BLOWN WIDE OPEN?!?!
...THE LETTER ALSO REQUESTS INFORMATION REGARDING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COMPLAINTS AGAINST PARKER JR. AND HIS EX-WIFE AND AN INTERNAL INVESTIGATION OF A INCIDENT OF TERRORISTIC THREATS BETWEEN PARKER JR. AND THE COURT CLERK MARIANNE CARRICARTE. "I'M NOT SURE IF SOME OF THE THINGS BEING REQUESTED ARE EVEN PUBLIC DOCUMENTS,"
NOV 4, 2005
FALLOUT IN STAFFORD PD AFTER COP-ON COP-DV (THE SKY IS FALLING)
...IT LOOKS TO ME LIKE OFFICER CHERYL SILVA WAS THE SCAPEGOAT HERE SINCE HER BOYFRIEND WAS THE CHIEF'S SON & NEXT IN LINE TO BE CHIEF, OFFICERS WERE PREVENTED FROM REPORTING THE INCIDENT AS A DV INCIDENT, IT WAS SHE WHO MADE THE 911 CALL, SHE WAS HOSPITALIZED, AND SHE WAS NEVER TALKED TO - THEY SAY - THROUGHOUT THE INVESTIGATION. I'M NOT DENYING THAT A FEMALE OFFICER COULD DO ALL THAT ATTACKING... BUT DAMN.
NOV 8, 2005
COP-ON-COP DV CONTINUES TO SHAKE OUT STAFFORD POLICE DEPT.
...CITING VIOLATIONS OF THE CONSCIENTIOUS EMPLOYEES PROTECTION ACT OR "WHISTLE-BLOWER ACT," MCMENAMIN CONTENDS HE WAS DENIED PROMOTION BECAUSE HE PROVIDED INFORMATION TO BLOCK AND SHIVES REGARDING A HIGH-PROFILE INVESTIGATION INVOLVING CAPT. LARRY PARKER JR. AND THE DEPARTMENT'S LONE FEMALE OFFICER, CHERYL SILVA... MCMENAMIN ALSO ACCUSED CHIEF PARKER OF FAILURE TO TAKE DISCIPLINARY ACTION AGAINST ANOTHER SON, OFFICER JOSEPH PARKER, WHO ACCORDING TO THE SUIT, BEAT A TUCKERTON DOCTOR WHO WAS HANDCUFFED AND THREATENED TO KILL A DEPUTY COURT CLERK...
JUN 22, 2006
OFFICER CHERYL SILVA / CHIEF'S SON DV - UPDATE ON FALLOUT
A TOWNSHIP POLICE LIEUTENANT, WHO FILED A LAWSUIT CLAIMING HE WAS IMPROPERLY DENIED A PROMOTION TO POLICE CHIEF, IS NOW READY TO RETIRE... LT. JOHN MCMENAMIN, WHO WAS PAID $124,471 IN 2005, HAS BEEN OFF DUTY SINCE A JULY 4 ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE ACCIDENT THAT HAPPENED WHILE HE WAS ON DUTY... MCMENAMIN SAID HE WAS NOT PROMOTED BECAUSE HE WAS A "WHISTLE BLOWER" IN A HIGH-PROFILE PHYSICAL CONFRONTATION INVOLVING CAPT. LARRY PARKER JR. AND THE DEPARTMENT'S ONLY FEMALE OFFICER, CHERYL SILVA. MCMENAMIN IS SEEKING $8,652,000 AND PROMOTION TO CHIEF AS SETTLEMENT IN THE CIVIL ACTION...
Captain Larry Parker in now Married to Cheryl Silva. They have a child together.
ReplyDeleteAs Lil' Larry said; " It's not a D.V., we are just friends".
John McMenamin is now the Mayor of Stafford Township! the corrupt police department under ex-chief Larry Parker Sr. ( now under the corrupt leadership of Chief Conroy, best boy of the Parkers, and Carl Block) is in a full blown panic, and shredding documentation like crazy!
ReplyDeleteALSO......
On Jan. 8th, 2009, Headline News in the Asbury Park Press, and Channel 12 News. This article exposed rampant police corruption and Parker's involvement in a brutality cover-up ten years earlier (Local doctor kicked repeatedly in the face while his hands were cuffed behind his back, by Ptl. Joseph Parker and several of his cowardly friends with badges).
McMemamin steps in officially as Mayor AND police comissioner July 1st, 2009. STAY TUNED!
Oh you don't even know how the news of the marriage sounds to me. Myyyyyyyyyyy.... Whew!
ReplyDeleteGee.
I guess I won't say much... just thank you for the update.
pfffffffff....
ReplyDeleteAAAhhhgg...
SIGH.
Outgoing Mayor Carl W. Block said that has caused many township employees to feel anxious about their positions.
ReplyDelete"Everyone is very apprehensive, everyone is concerned about their jobs," he said. "As for what are his plans? He has not revealed them to me, for sure. … Clearly he has contemplated changes."
In regard to the police department, a mayor and council in Stafford's form of government have only limited power. The governing body has control of the overall budget, it sets the organizational chart of the department and it approves or denies promotions.
The police chief, though, controls daily operations. Chief Thomas Conroy said he has not spoken to McMenamin or any other incoming council members about any moves they plan to make besides the audit.
"As a police chief, I don't get involved in politics," Conroy said. "I think that everyone is always anxious over change, and there's a new mayor and new council, so there's change. I wouldn't begin to speculate over what might happen."
McMenamin's suit against the township, originally filed in 2005, stemmed from Conroy's appointment as chief on the recommendation of former Chief Larry Parker Sr. McMenamin said he was more qualified and was passed over because he was known as a "whistleblower."
That suit was settled in December 2007, 14 months after McMenamin retired from the force after he was injured in an ATV accident while working on July 4, 2005. He received $177,000, which included his workman's compensation claims.
The suit was settled with prejudice, meaning the merits of the issues he raised were not settled, neither party admitted any liability, and he cannot refile.
In the suit, he directly accused current Officer Larry Parker Jr., son of the former chief, of extensive misconduct. During the recent campaign, Parker Jr. paid for signs to be put up throughout the township reading, "McMenamin lies," and said McMenamin was unjustly defaming his family. He declined to comment for this article.
Block said McMenamin asked him in a recent transition meeting not to make any promotions in the department before he leaves office, which Block said was a moot point because no officers had any plans to leave before July 1.
For several years, Block has served as police commissioner, functioning as a liaison between the department and the governing body. He said he recommended that McMenamin not take that role, given his history with the department.
Block also said McMemanin asked about a few specific details, such as how much police dogs cost.
As far as other changes the new governing body may make, Block said residents and employees should just wait and see.
"They should not get into the game of speculation," he said. "There's all this rumor and gossip around - don't react and get too carried away with that. Wait for actions."
to the commenter whose comment I didn't post today - i can't post the animal torture stuff here because it's too rough, i don't know you, and all i can think is how awful to put on the internet if it's not true.
ReplyDeletesorry..
STAFFORD TOWNSHIP - Mayor John McMenamin again faced questions Tuesday night about his handling of the Police Department since taking office a month ago.
ReplyDeleteFormer chief Larry Parker Sr. and a stream of residents publicly expressed concerns about McMenamin interfering with a department they said is already acclaimed throughout the state, and most of the crowd applauded those speakers in agreement.
"I'm amazed that you can sit here with a straight face and say there's no conflict with the mayor," Parker said, referring to McMenamin's 2005 suit against the township after he felt unfairly passed over for a promotion to chief after Parker's retirement, a suit that was later settled.
At the council's first meeting last month, McMenamin was accused of illegally meddling with the day-to-day operations of the department by representatives of the New Jersey Association of Chiefs of Police and police chiefs from nearby municipalities.
Those accusations included painting the doors of unmarked vehicles white, changing the dress code for officers and eliminating overtime for administrative positions.
In the two weeks since, word of the new administration's plans for the Police Department has spread throughout the township, with several senior residents in Tuesday's audience saying they were worried the town would be made less safe by council's interference.
"Unfortunately I don't know you, but I think you have an ax to grind," said Mary McFadden, going on to say she felt safe in the town and thought the changes were not necessary.
Immediately after the meeting started, council convened for an executive session regarding personnel matters prior to talking about an ordinance that would create a deputy chief of police in the department.
There were only a handful of empty seats in the meeting room, and residents clamored about the changes they heard McMenamin was proposing while waiting for the council to finish the executive session.
When the meeting reconvened, Parker spoke first, followed by several residents questioning why the town should create a new position when it is trying to save money.
McMenamin replied that the position would enable a smooth transition when the chief of police eventually steps down, and that the contract would be amended to save money on contracts previously awarded to department administrative employees.
Township Attorney Kevin Starkey added that the department had a deputy chief of police from 1987 to about 1994, but it was subsequently eliminated and he did not know why.
Parker later said the position was eliminated because there was no need for it, and then said he thought the position would be created to prevent his son, Larry Parker Jr., from becoming chief since he would be next in line.
McMenamin also said he did not discuss the new position with Chief Thomas Conroy, who was also in attendance and publicly said he did not intend to retire any time soon.
Councilman Stan Rutkowski then asked Conroy if he could give his opinion on the creation of the deputy chief position, but Conroy said it would not be appropriate to talk about it during a public comment portion of a meeting.
The council went on to adopt the ordinance, with Councilman Stephen Fessler abstaining because his son is a member of the Police Department and Councilman John Spodofora voting against it.
At the end of the meeting, when residents again said they thought McMenamin's action showed he had ulterior motives, he said the perceptions would be proved wrong.
"There is no ax to grind," he said. "We're trying to make it (the department) more effective and efficient."
August 4, 2009
ReplyDeleteStafford council approves deputy police chief position
By NICHOLAS HUBA
STAFF WRITER
The newly sworn-in Township Council approved an ordinance that will establish the new position of deputy chief in the Police Department, despite concerns from residents.
The council approved the ordinance Tuesday night by a 5-1 vote with Councilman Stephen Fessler abstaining because his son Stephen Fessler is a patrolman with the Police Department.
John Spodofora, the lone returning councilman from the previous administration, voted against the measure.
"The deputy chief of police shall be directly responsible to the chief of police and shall assume the duties of the chief of police in his absence," the ordinance states.
The ordinance also created staffing limits within the Police Department. There will be no more than two captains, three lieutenants and nine sergeants, according to the ordinance.
The ordinance first called for the chief to report to the appropriate authority, the business administration, and for the deputy chief to report to the mayor and council. The council amended the ordinance to require both to report to the appropriate authority, after concerns were raised by the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police about the positions reporting to different people.
Resident Mark Fahey supported to the proposal.
"I believe that some changes are good," Fahey said. "You guys are doing a great job, and you guys should not listen to the naysayers."
This is not the first time the township has had a deputy chief. An ordinance creating the position was approved in 1987, and the township had a deputy chief until 1944.
Mayor John McMenamin said the criteria and salary range for the new position have not been created.
"This is a career-development position," McMenamin said, adding that the salary for the position would be below $180,000.
Police Chief Thomas Conroy was made aware of the creation of the position, but he was not consulted about it, McMenamin said.
Conroy said that he would be happy to speak to the council in private about the position.
Resident Steve Miller questioned the validity of the new position.
"Why is this necessary?" Miller asked. "This is one of the best positions in the state, and we are going to change it."
Resident Paul Krier said the township should hold off on creating the positions for a little while.
"This situation does not have to be rushed into," Krier said.
Stafford Township officials, police chiefs discuss mayor's involvement with department
ReplyDeleteBy LEE PROCIDA Staff Writer, 609-457-8707 | Posted: Friday, August 21, 2009 10:25 pm
STAFFORD TOWNSHIP - After a series of raucous meetings focusing on Mayor John McMenamin's involvement with the Police Department, police and township officials are holding ongoing meetings to resolve a list of issues.
Township Administrator James Moran recently met with Capt. Larry Parker Jr. - who is the acting chief while Chief Thomas Conroy is away on vacation until the second week of September - to address the department's concerns.
On Wednesday, Toms River Police Chief Michael Mastronardy and Lacey Township Police Chief William Nally met with Stafford Township Attorney Kevin Starkey to discuss problems the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police has with the mayor's involvement in the department's operations.
"Our purpose is to basically make sure that the department is moving forward and the residents are properly served," Mastronardy said Friday.
Mastronardy, Nally, South Brunswick Township Police Chief Raymond Hayducka and former Clark Township Police Chief Anton "Sandy" Danco came to the new Stafford administration's first regular meeting in July and brought up a list of concerns they said were forwarded to them by Conroy.
Those concerns included McMenamin requesting documents regarding internal affairs investigations, painting the doors white on black unmarked police cars, eliminating nearly all overtime for administrative officials and strictly enforcing the dress code.
Hayducka and the other chiefs said they thought these and other issues showed McMenamin was seeking to control the department's day-to-day operations, a role legally reserved for the chief of police.
Mastronardy would not go into specifics about what was discussed this past Wednesday but said they would be scheduling a follow-up meeting once Conroy returns.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, some residents have viewed the actions of the mayor, a former lieutenant in the department, as the carrying out a vendetta.
In 2005, McMenamin sued the township, stating the council and former chief Larry Parker Sr., Parker Jr.'s father, wrongfully passed him over for a promotion to chief. He also made a variety of accusations about misconduct in the department, even presenting tapes of conversations he recorded while on duty with other officers.
In this case, McMenamin has maintained that he is looking to do what he is legally allowed to and that he is simply improving a department that uses a large portion of taxpayer revenue.
On Thursday, he said he requested the internal affairs documents hoping to mediate a recent issue between two senior officers that required an investigation he said could cost the township more than $10,000 otherwise.
He also said that if residents' safety required an administrative official to respond to a scene, he or she would not be stopped, but that in the past administrative officials have logged overtime hours unnecessarily.
And he said, as he had before, that painting several unmarked cars would improve the visibility of the department in hopes of deterring crime.
But on Thursday he added that he thought making the vehicles more conspicuous also would deter officers from using their vehicles inappropriately.
"It will make officers more hesitant to do things with their vehicles for personal business," he said.
He said he had evidence that Parker Jr. once ordered another officer to travel to Delaware in a police vehicle to pick up lottery tickets, a charge he also made prior to running as mayor.
Parker Jr. said that never happened, explaining that he and another off-duty officer used their personal vehicles to drive down to pick up the tickets using money from an officer pool more than 10 years ago.
He added that he did not want to argue with the mayor, just that he thought McMenamin was given the wrong information.
"I just want to have a good working relationship," he said.
But Parker Jr. added that he disagreed with the order to have the police car doors painted white. He said "our officers do not abuse the use of their vehicles," but that if that is the goal, then GPS would solve the problem by allowing the cars to be tracked at a central office.
He also said it would allow dispatchers to more efficiently organize officers to respond to scenes.
Parker Jr. did not know how much that would cost, however. McMenamin said it cost $4,200 to paint and detail the vehicles at the Maaco bodyshop in Toms River.
McMenamin did not return phone calls late Friday afternoon to reply to Parker Jr.'s comments.
E-mail Lee Procida:
These comments may spill over onto a second page. If so there will be a link below.
ReplyDeleteTo the person who just tried to post the article, email me to let me know how it's related to this case.
DID LARRY PARKER JR. GET HIS STEROIDS AND CRANK FROM HIS HELLS ANGEL BUDDY BEFORE HE HAD HIM ARRESTED?...I LOVE THE WAY THE TWP. QUASHED THE ASBURY PARK PRESS ARTICLE...THIS TOWN IS SO FUCKED UP
ReplyDeleteI thought you would be interested to know that Capt. Larry Parker JR.'s club the Iron Tribe is no longer up and running. He along with several others patched over to the Low Riders MC in Staten Island, NY a few years ago. There are currently only six former members of the Iron Tribe MC who are active members of the Low Riders MC, Capt. Parker being one of them. This club is also affiliated with the Hell's Angels and other 1% motorcycle clubs. Chris Menchini was one of the Iron Tribe members who patched over to the Low Riders MC and after about a month of being in that club he started to prospect for the Hell's Angels for approximately a year before he became a full patch member. So how can a police officer such as Capt. Parker be affiliated with a 1% motorcycle club and not be violating any police department rules and regulations? As a police officer you are not supposed to be affiliated with or hanging out with known criminals, so how is this tolerated? I guess your father former Chief Parker and former member of the Iron Tribe covers your butt. Makes you wonder why they chose there new Chief (Connroy) over McMenimin who tells the truth. I guess they needed someone else to cover Capt. Parkers butt now that daddy is gone. Oh what a tangled web we weave Capt. Parker! The Truth Shall Set You Free.
ReplyDeleteYour info pertaining to the iron tribe is false we are up and running and as with any organization you'll have members pursue other avenues in life, with that said , we are free to make our own choices some decided to leave our club god bless them! Iron tribe lives on GFC get your facts straight
DeleteFor those not living in Ocean County, the two previous comments refer to the following two very recent Press of A.C. and APP.COM articles;
ReplyDelete1) Man arrested on weapons, drug charges in Manahawkin
By LEE PROCIDA, Staff Writer, 609-457-8707 | Posted: Friday, October 2, 2009 |
STAFFORD TOWNSHIP - Police arrested a Clifton man and Hell's Angels motorcycle gang member Sept. 22 who had drugs and a loaded weapon in his hotel room and threatened a police captain.
Christopher Menchini, 44, threatened Capt. Larry Parker Jr. during a heated exchange Sept. 22 morning, police said.
Menchini and Parker are former friends and high school classmates, but police declined to explain why the two were talking that morning and why Menchini was in the area.
Police arrested Menchini at his room at the Manahawkin Holiday Inn later that day, using a search warrant to find a loaded, sawed-off shotgun with its serial number scratched off, steroids, prescription drugs and hypodermic needles.
Police did not release a report of the incident, but Lt. Thomas Dellane confirmed it Thursday morning to The Press of Atlantic City, explaining that it was not announced because of its sensitive nature.
Menchini was taken to the Ocean County Jail, where he has been since in lieu of $115,000 bail.
He has been charged with possession of a loaded weapon, possession of sawed-off shotgun, possession of a defaced firearm, possession of hypodermic needles and two counts of possession of dangerous controlled substances.
Dellane said an investigation is ongoing.
Parker declined to comment through his secretary about the incident, citing safety concerns for his family.
2) October 19, 2009
ReplyDeleteRetired NYPD cop, sons charged in Barnegat with drug possession
By MATT PAIS
STAFF WRITER
A retired New York City police officer and his two sons have been arrested and charged with steroid and cocaine possession after authorities raided his Sterling Lane home.
Salvatore Costa, 48, was taken into custody along with his sons Guiseppe, 21, and Salvatore, 19, on Wednesday after a search of the family's township home, police said.
Inside, officers allegedly found undisclosed quantities of steroids and cocaine as well as marijuana, oxycodone and other drug paraphernalia, Lt. Patrick Shaffery said. An undisclosed amount of cash was also seized by police, as well as two handguns that were properly registered.
The elder Costa is charged with two third-degree counts of drug possession, as well as possession of paraphernalia and a hypodermic syringe. He is being held in lieu of $60,000 bail at Ocean County Jail, Toms River.
The younger Salvatore Costa is charged with two counts of third-degree drug possession, third-degree drug possession with the intent to distribute, third-degree drug distribution and fourth-degree evidence tampering as well as possession of drug paraphernalia. He is also being held on $60,000 bail.
Guiseppe Costa is charged with third-degree drug possession, third-degree drug possession with the intent to distribute, possession of paraphernalia and possession of under 50 grams of marijuana. His bail was set at $30,000 and he also remains in jail.
The search warrant was executed by members of the township police department's patrol and investigation divisions with assistance from Stafford Township police.
bobvongule13 wrote:
It will be funny to see how this plays out. It appears they went after the kid and got the dad for free. What is the penalty for steroid possession? Not much, I bet. From what I hear this guy sold to exclusive clients anyway. Wonder what those officer's... ooops did I say that? I mean customers are doing right now? Bet their hiding their stashes or checking in to the hospital with chest pains. If this guy unloads his client list there should be a few more employment vacancies at both of the arresting PD's. How did you not see this coming Cpt.Parker? Then all who bashed the Stafford Mayor for policing his police force will have to come on here and eat your words.
10/21/2009 11:21:24 AM
October 28, 2009
ReplyDeleteStafford can get police internal investigation reports, Attorney General's Office says
Stafford officials asked state A.G.
By NICHOLAS HUBA
STAFF WRITER
The township administration is entitled to Police Department internal affairs reports of completed investigations and may inquire about the status of active investigations, according to the state Attorney General's Office.
The office states that the township is entitled to the reports after punishment has been given, according to a letter from Deborah L. Gramiccioni, director of the Division of Criminal Justice for the Attorney General's Office.
Mayor John McMenamin had sought access to internal affairs reports when he took office in July, but Chief Thomas Conroy asked the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office to review the matter. The matter was forwarded to the state Attorney General's Office for review and a ruling.
The letter from the Attorney General's Office said the appropriate authority over the Police Department is entitled to updates on pending internal affairs investigations.
"This information should include whether the police department has received a particular complaint, whether the investigation is pending, an anticipated time line for the completion of the investigation, whether the complaint was closed and if so the outcome of the investigation including whether disciplinary action was initiated," the letter dated Sept. 21 states. "The premature release of more specific information during a pending investigation may jeopardize the outcome of the investigation."
The reports in question center on the possible suspension of an officer for 30 days, Township Administrator James Moran said, adding that he would not go into details about the incident.
"We have never asked for anything that we are not entitled to," Moran said. "This is exactly what we asked for. If we are going to punish someone, we need to see evidence supporting it.
"I was not about to suspend an officer without seeing the evidence to support it," Moran added.
Conroy said the ruling will help the working relationship between himself and other township officials.
"I'm happy with the ruling. It will make working with the administration easier," Conroy said. "It defines the responsibility on each side."
To the person posting full articles. Please post the links to the articles above. They are not directly dealing with the case I posted. I understand the connection. So if the source of the articles tend to take their articles down, go to Google docs, publish them there, and then come back so we can replace these with links and selected excerpts.
ReplyDeleteAlso, consider signing up for a blog of your own. Blogs are free. If there is a real problem in your area, and there does appear to be, then your issue of passion deserves to pointed out in a way better than down in the comments section on a domestic violence blog post.
In government work it sometimes helps to advance your career in a department if you obtain an advanced college degree. Many people in NJ have turned to diploma mills to get an unaccredited degree so they can get raises and move up. This shortcut is a cheap way to get ahead but does not actually provide any training or preparation. The state has begun to crack down on state level employees who do not have legitimate degrees, it could also help some local police departments if they reviewed who has legit diplomas versus those who don't want to make the time and effort to get properly trained and documented for their next position. This kind of action could undermine the credibility of the department and the trust of the citizens.
ReplyDeleteCapt. Larry Parker Jr., son of former police Chief Larry Parker, submitted a letter late last month when Township Administrator James Moran notified the five officers they would be laid off.
ReplyDeleteParker's retirement inquiry comes on the heels of police Chief Thomas Conroy announcing his retirement last week after 27 years with the department.
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/press/ocean/article_31974f4c-2bc6-11df-aa92-001cc4c002e0.html
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/press/ocean/article_2ea9d07a-2a0e-11df-aed8-001cc4c03286.html
why hasn't the extent of cheryl silva's injuries ever been made public? where was she hospitalized and under what name? should anyone involved in the cover-up of a felony assault be able to collect a pension or benefits from the township of stafford? wouldn't the true story of what happened on the night of feb. 1st 05 make a best seller and a great tv movie?
ReplyDeletewhy was officer cheryl silva unable to be located for a number of weeks following the alleged assault by captain larry d. parker jr.? does the involvement of a police captain with members of certain clubs known to traffick in illegal substances send up a red flag for investigators who should vigorously pursue criminals of that nature? why did so many members of the parker clique routinely fail to show up for duty while still collecting very healthy paychecks from the township of stafford and shouldn't there be an investigation into this flagrant abuse of power? isn't it obvious that the official story put forth in the alleged felony assault by captain parker on officer cheryl silva was far from the actual truth? does officer cheryl silva realize considering the extent of the injuries she received along the many rather bizarre facts surrounding this entire case coupled with the long history of brutality and corruption within the stafford police department that she is sitting on a gold mine which could net her a big payout if she would only come forward and tell her true story because it would make such interesting reading as well as one heck of a fantastic film?
ReplyDeleteIt stunk. I was hoping and waiting. I welcome your comments. Before this blog I had a Yahoo group and was posting all of the time about Cheryl's case.
ReplyDeleteI would have lovvvvvvvvved to hear what Cheryl had to say.
he should be incarcerated and she shouldn't have a driver's license let alone a job with a badge and gun anyone involved in the felony assault and subsequent cover-up should never be allowed to collect a pension or benefits from the people of the township of stafford.
ReplyDeleteit is not surprising to see such an event in stafford township when you consider the long sordid history of this police department which has a long list of offenses including the molestation of teenage girls many incidents of brutality some officers repeatedly issued traffic citations to the former wife of one officer until she finally filed and won a federal civil rights lawsuit against the town many other crimes like theft (at least one motor was stolen from a vehicle locked in the township impound yard over the weekend) all of this criminal activity shows extremely poor leadership by the ranking officers within the department but the blame for allowing such behavior by those who have a sworn duty to uphold the law at all costs rests squarely on the shoulders of those who disgraced their uniform by committing such acts i would also like to point out that since i notified the former governor of the state the office of the attorney general and the ocean county prosecutors office of the existance of this felony assault offense and no real substantial investigation resulted this indicates a dysfunctional system that needs proper oversight and correction whenever it is necessary to do so the former governor the state attorney general and the ocean couty prosecutor all neglected their duty to the people of the state of new jersey ULTIMATELY IT IS UP TO THE CITIZENS OF STAFFORD TOWNSHIP TO REMAIN AWARE OF WHAT IS GOING ON WITHIN THE TOWNSHIP AND ACT TO PREVENT THESE TYPES OF OFFENSES FROM EVER HAPPENING AGAIN because many of the people who swore oathes to uphold the law are not man enough to follow the law or even earn their pay by showing up for duty when assigned IT IS TIME TO CLEAN HOUSE IN STAFFORD TOWNSHIP.
ReplyDeleteYou are 100% correct that it is up to the citizens.
ReplyDeletesadly enough it is business as usual in stafford township NJ many of the corrupt officers still do not show up for duty it is becoming increasingly clear that the new mayor really doesn't care about the taxpayers or the safety and well being of the citizens of the town and he only wanted to get even with the people who blocked him from achieving his goal of becoming chief he may be as nearly as corrupt as any of the offenders who still work for the department given the severity of the felony assault one would assume that proper legal authorities would want to remove the perptrator from the streets before he does something else and her from her position because she and anyone else involved in the cover-up which is an open and shut case of obstruction of justice should not be police officers because the criminal justice system in new jersey is dominated by completely corrupt individuals it doesn't look like justice will be served in this case one could write quite a fantastic story about police corruption in southern ocean county officers from other towns have lined their pockets with overtime not worked for some even collecting disability from the state for more than a year after returning to work as well as enjoying the benefits of not needing to show up for assigned duty in a horribly corrupt system even the state police working the area have been known to shake down small business owners and receive all sorts of goods and services rather than ticket the vehicles of their victims for violations A PRIME EXAMPLE OF THIS CAME TO THE SURFACE WHEN DANIEL THOMAS WAS ARRESTED FOR FLIPPING A STATE PATROL CAR OVER WITH HIS FRONT END LOADER AFTER BEING TICKETED FOR REFUSING TO CONTINUE TO BRIBE THOSE STATE DOT OFFICERS perhaps a better slogan for new jersey would be CORRUPTION AND NEW JERSEY PERFECT TOGETHER because law enforcement in the state has a near perfect batting average and a long history of protecting criminals like the armed and dangerous thugs patrolling the streets of stafford township from prosecution for their crimes.
ReplyDeleteInteresting reading! The telephone number for the Red Bank F.B.I. is (732) 741 - 0006. Telefax (732) 212 - 2903. please take note of it.
ReplyDeleteWe would suggest two things;
(1) Contributors here should find vehicles (APP.COM, Beacon Newspaper, Press of A.C, Channel 12 ect.) to expose the content of this forum directly to the citizens of Ocean County. Let them know how they have been played, for years. (2) Those with factual information regarding police, judiciary and political corruption in Ocean County, provide said facts to the F.B.I. BE PERSISTENT, AND PROVIDE FACTS!
the citizens of stafford should file a clas action lawsuit aginst the stafford township police department and all indivuals who took money they didn't earn enough is enough we want our money back from these thieves
ReplyDeleteanonymous
ReplyDeletei have norespect for this police dept,i was abused by my husband , and when stafford was called out to my home. first thing out of the responing officer, let him leave the house , go to consueling , you dont want a restraing order, hecould lose his job. my husband is a police officer up northern jersey. i was taken as a fool everytime by this dept. until 8/12/2010 one police officer did care, and my husband got arrested for assualting me. now my nightmare begins...living in fear for life of myself and girls.
Did these officers forget about Sgt. Drew Peterson in Ill. He murdered several of his wives. The police, in BOLINGBROOK, ILL., who let this happen, SHOULD BE IN JAIL WITH DREW PETERSON.
DeleteIt continues.....NOW they are concealing another towns mayors improprieties. This is going to be another scandal.
ReplyDeleteThis "police officer" recently "retired", with a pension to be paid by the taxpayers of Stafford Township! Suckers!
ReplyDeletejust so that everyone is aware the cover-ups in this town are still ongoing just this past saturday evening cheryl silva-parker hit a kid with her vehicle (possible undercover vehicle). she did not call the proper people witch is the state police (this happen in eagleswood township west creek) she called her husband larry prker jr. who in turn contacted stafford police directly. at which point they showed up on the scene and completly hid her. this kid was airlifted to a hospital with internal injuries. in the process of responding to this scene (1 of 6 cop cars) crashed head on into a van owned by ocean tents. neither one of the accidents have been released due to the fact that they are stafford police. lets get the word out people i will also be contacting the local papers about this today.
ReplyDeleteContact the STAR LEDGER. They report the NEWS. They are NOT CONTROLLED!
DeleteThe "kid" Parker hit jumped out in front of her car to commit suicide. His own family witnessed this and told the police that was his intentions so noones hiding anything...Worry about your own lives people. Is your lives that boring you have nothing better to do than bash soomeone?? Grow up
ReplyDeletePerhaps the rumors surrounding the rogue criminal element of this corrupt police department are true. It's not inconceivable or too far fetched to assume there were rogue policemen sneaking down to Atlantic County to raid known drug dealers in order to seize their cash for personal use along with any contraband that could easily be turned into cash through contacts with an outlaw motorcycle club.
ReplyDelete"Perhaps?"
DeleteIs there something that you are meaning to say?