Mendham Township Cop Claimed That Superiors Ordered Him to Target Young Drivers for Traffic Tickets
A police officer with the Mendham Township Police Department has settled a lawsuit that alleged that he got denied job promotions because he refused to issue traffic tickets to younger drivers. The case involved Mendham Township Patrol Officer Robert Wysokowski and highlighted what some believe to be a serious problem among police departments through NJ: police profiling of certain types of young drivers by municipalities who are trying to generate quick cash through traffic tickets.
Wysokowski claimed that Mendham Sergeant Stephen Crawford ordered patrol cops to target young motorists to help the police department meet ticket quotas. According to Wysokowski, Crawford told him to “pull over any car with a group of young drivers.” Additionally, said Wysokowski, Crawford told him and other Mendham Township police officers to be on the lookout for motor vehicles with visible Morris County College parking permits.
Wysokowski reportedly refused to profile young drivers, prompting his bosses to retaliate against him in various ways. For example, claimed Wysokowski, he was denied multiple job promotion opportunities. Moreover, said Wysokowski, his superiors repeatedly gave him low ratings and performance reviews that made it difficult for him to secure pay bonuses.
Civil Lawsuit Over Alleged Traffic Quotas in Mendham Township, NJ
When Wysokowski filed a discrimination complaint and claimed whistleblower status, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office conducted an internal affairs probe. That probe did not find any evidence of criminal conduct by anyone associated with the Mendham Township Police Department – so no criminal charges were filed in the case.
However, Wysokowski was still able to file a civil lawsuit seeking damages related to alleged employment discrimination. Wysokowski filed the civil suit in Morris County Superior Court and alleged that his bosses told him that targeting younger drivers for traffic violations would be considered “good police work.” The case did not reach trial in court because Wysokowski ultimately settled the lawsuit with Mendham Township for $650,000.
Contact a Mendham Township Traffic Ticket Attorney Today!
Were you cited for a traffic offense in Mendham Township, NJ? Then it may be possible for you to fight the traffic ticket and keep your license clear of points. Skilled Morris County traffic attorney Travis J. Tormey represents clients in municipal courts in Morris County and throughout New Jersey. Contact him now to explore your options.