Post by WaTcHeR on Dec 28, 2006 12:09:25 GMT -5
12.28.2006 - BRIDGETON — When city officials first heard of the recent allegations of official misconduct by two members of the city's police force, the majority of them said they were struck with disbelief.
“These people's lives will change forever, on both sides,” Mayor Jim Begley said. “They already have.”
Patrolmen Carl Holliday, 29, of Millville, and Gregory Willis, 26, of Shiloh, were arrested Friday on a number of charges stemming from a Nov. 10 incident in which a resident of Mexican descent was robbed and assaulted on a boat ramp in Bridgeton City Park, officials said.
Both officers were charged with two counts of official misconduct, one for the assault and the other for allegedly failing to arrest a suspected drunken driver who officials said was the brother of another Bridgeton police officer.
Willis also was charged with evidence tampering while Holliday was charged with robbery, assault, kidnapping, conspiracy and witness and evidence tampering.
According to Cumberland County Prosecutor Ron Casella, the investigation into the alleged misconduct is ongoing. He also refuses to identify the alleged victim, citing fears that the man would be subject to retaliatory attacks.
All city officials interviewed said they had no comment on the details of the case, and they said the only knowledge they had was gleaned from published newspaper reports.
“As a leader in the town, you hope that it isn't true,” Council President Nick Salvatore said. “We'll just have to wait and see what happens. When you hear a rumor such as this, you always hope that it's not our town, not our Police Department. It's unfortunate.”
Councilwoman Celeste Riley said she was disappointed at the news.
“As a city, we expect the utmost performance out of our Police Department,” Riley said. “When police are accused of something, it saddens me. But (Holliday) needs his day in court. That's how our judicial system works.”
Both Begley and all the members of City Council are political newcomers, and these allegations come only five months into their terms.
Councilman Bill Spence said he was sorrowful that the case could further entrench an already negative perception about the crime-ridden city and its 18,000 residents.
“I feel bad for Bridgeton in general,” Spence said. “I've been finding that there are so many things that happen and can happen in a city and you tend to get callous about that and say it's just a part of city living. I wish it never happened.”
www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/cumberland/story/6996995p-6857417c.html
“These people's lives will change forever, on both sides,” Mayor Jim Begley said. “They already have.”
Patrolmen Carl Holliday, 29, of Millville, and Gregory Willis, 26, of Shiloh, were arrested Friday on a number of charges stemming from a Nov. 10 incident in which a resident of Mexican descent was robbed and assaulted on a boat ramp in Bridgeton City Park, officials said.
Both officers were charged with two counts of official misconduct, one for the assault and the other for allegedly failing to arrest a suspected drunken driver who officials said was the brother of another Bridgeton police officer.
Willis also was charged with evidence tampering while Holliday was charged with robbery, assault, kidnapping, conspiracy and witness and evidence tampering.
According to Cumberland County Prosecutor Ron Casella, the investigation into the alleged misconduct is ongoing. He also refuses to identify the alleged victim, citing fears that the man would be subject to retaliatory attacks.
All city officials interviewed said they had no comment on the details of the case, and they said the only knowledge they had was gleaned from published newspaper reports.
“As a leader in the town, you hope that it isn't true,” Council President Nick Salvatore said. “We'll just have to wait and see what happens. When you hear a rumor such as this, you always hope that it's not our town, not our Police Department. It's unfortunate.”
Councilwoman Celeste Riley said she was disappointed at the news.
“As a city, we expect the utmost performance out of our Police Department,” Riley said. “When police are accused of something, it saddens me. But (Holliday) needs his day in court. That's how our judicial system works.”
Both Begley and all the members of City Council are political newcomers, and these allegations come only five months into their terms.
Councilman Bill Spence said he was sorrowful that the case could further entrench an already negative perception about the crime-ridden city and its 18,000 residents.
“I feel bad for Bridgeton in general,” Spence said. “I've been finding that there are so many things that happen and can happen in a city and you tend to get callous about that and say it's just a part of city living. I wish it never happened.”
www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/cumberland/story/6996995p-6857417c.html