{"url":"https://policetransparencynj.com/departments/hudson-co-sheriffs-dept/","summary":"The Hudson County Sheriff's Department reported 71 internal affairs investigations in 2025 and 56 officers named in those cases, up from 42 investigations in 2024. Its rate of 126.8 per 100 officers matched the county median of 126.8 and ran above the 115.2 median for sheriff agencies. Sitting above that median is not proof of a worse department, since agencies that document complaints more completely also post higher rates. Of the 71 investigations detailed for 2025, 8 reported sustained complaints. Other Departmental Rule Violation was the leading category with 31 cases, ahead of Conduct Unbecoming/Discredit To The Agency with 12 and Demeanor with 8.\n\nTwenty major discipline records appear across the 2020-2025 releases, spanning every year from 2020 through 2025, including 2 terminations. The department received a D on the report card, at the 76th percentile among 21 peers among all sheriff agencies, a high-confidence grade.","note":"Compiled from New Jersey Attorney General public data by an independent project; not a government source. Every value is as reported, with its sourceRef. Method: https://policetransparencynj.com/methodology/","data":{"agency":{"id":"hudson-co-sheriffs-dept","slug":"hudson-co-sheriffs-dept","name":"Hudson Co Sheriffs Dept","fullName":"Hudson County Sheriff's Department","countySlug":"hudson","countyName":"Hudson","type":"sheriff","aliases":["Hudson Co Sheriffs Dept-Hudson","Hudson County Sheriffs Office|Hudson"]},"totalsByYear":[{"agencyId":"hudson-co-sheriffs-dept","countySlug":"hudson","countyName":"Hudson","year":2021,"officers":38,"investigations":35,"incidents":35,"sourceRef":{"file":"ia-agency-totals","sheet":"Sheet1","row":231}},{"agencyId":"hudson-co-sheriffs-dept","countySlug":"hudson","countyName":"Hudson","year":2022,"officers":38,"investigations":46,"incidents":39,"sourceRef":{"file":"ia-agency-totals","sheet":"Sheet1","row":1248}},{"agencyId":"hudson-co-sheriffs-dept","countySlug":"hudson","countyName":"Hudson","year":2023,"officers":41,"investigations":46,"incidents":33,"sourceRef":{"file":"ia-agency-totals","sheet":"Sheet1","row":1755}},{"agencyId":"hudson-co-sheriffs-dept","countySlug":"hudson","countyName":"Hudson","year":2024,"officers":40,"investigations":42,"incidents":35,"sourceRef":{"file":"ia-agency-totals","sheet":"Sheet1","row":739}},{"agencyId":"hudson-co-sheriffs-dept","countySlug":"hudson","countyName":"Hudson","year":2025,"officers":56,"investigations":71,"incidents":44,"sourceRef":{"file":"ia-agency-totals","sheet":"Sheet1","row":2262}}],"mdRecords":[{"id":"jayden-clavijo-hudson-co-sheriffs-dept-r370","year":2025,"countyName":"Hudson","countySlug":"hudson","agencyId":"hudson-co-sheriffs-dept","rank":"Officer","firstName":"Jayden","lastName":"Clavijo","officerSlug":"jayden-clavijo-hudson-co-sheriffs-dept","terminated":"no","demoted":"no","suspended":"yes","daysSuspended":10,"separatedWhileIAPending":"no","otherSanction":"not_applicable","sustainedCharges":"Insubordination, General Causes, Chronic or excessive absenteeism or lateness, Neglect of Duty, Other Sufficient Cause","description":"Officer Clavijo failed to comply with departmental rules and regulations regarding Abuse of Sick Time.","sourceRef":{"file":"major-discipline-2020-2025","sheet":"Major Discipline Data","row":370}},{"id":"david-fontanez-hudson-co-sheriffs-dept-r371","year":2025,"countyName":"Hudson","countySlug":"hudson","agencyId":"hudson-co-sheriffs-dept","rank":"Officer","firstName":"David","lastName":"Fontanez","officerSlug":"david-fontanez-hudson-co-sheriffs-dept","terminated":"no","demoted":"no","suspended":"yes","daysSuspended":30,"separatedWhileIAPending":"no","otherSanction":"not_applicable","sustainedCharges":"Conduct Unbecoming a Public Employee, Neglect of Duty, and Other Sufficient Cause","description":"Officer Fontanez was involved in a verbal confrontation with a civilian, where he threatened to assault him while removing his uniform vest.","sourceRef":{"file":"major-discipline-2020-2025","sheet":"Major Discipline Data","row":371}},{"id":"francine-shelton-hudson-co-sheriffs-dept-r372","year":2025,"countyName":"Hudson","countySlug":"hudson","agencyId":"hudson-co-sheriffs-dept","rank":"Undersheriff","firstName":"Francine","lastName":"Shelton","officerSlug":"francine-shelton-hudson-co-sheriffs-dept","terminated":"no","demoted":"no","suspended":"yes","daysSuspended":180,"separatedWhileIAPending":"no","otherSanction":"not_applicable","sustainedCharges":"Failure to Perform Duties, Conduct Unbecoming a Public Employee,","description":"US Shelton did not update her Mandatory handgun qualification and Use of force courses since 2019 as required by the agency and AG Guidelines.","sourceRef":{"file":"major-discipline-2020-2025","sheet":"Major Discipline Data","row":372}},{"id":"jonathan-olivo-hudson-co-sheriffs-dept-r1100","year":2024,"countyName":"Hudson","countySlug":"hudson","agencyId":"hudson-co-sheriffs-dept","rank":"Officer","firstName":"Jonathan","lastName":"Olivo","officerSlug":"jonathan-olivo-hudson-co-sheriffs-dept","terminated":"no","demoted":"no","suspended":"yes","daysSuspended":30,"separatedWhileIAPending":"no","otherSanction":"not_reported","sustainedCharges":"Conduct Unbecoming a Public Employee","description":"Officer Olivo was arrested on 11/15/2023 and charged with violation of 39:4-50(Driving While Intoxicated) stemming from a motor vehicle accident on same day in Clifton. Officer Olivo entered a plea of guilty in Clifton Municipal Court on 2/6/2024.","sourceRef":{"file":"major-discipline-2020-2025","sheet":"Major Discipline Data","row":1100}},{"id":"william-medina-hudson-co-sheriffs-dept-r1101","year":2024,"countyName":"Hudson","countySlug":"hudson","agencyId":"hudson-co-sheriffs-dept","rank":"Detective","firstName":"William","lastName":"Medina","officerSlug":"william-medina-hudson-co-sheriffs-dept","terminated":"yes","demoted":"no","suspended":"yes","daysSuspended":307,"separatedWhileIAPending":"no","otherSanction":"not_reported","sustainedCharges":"Endangering the welfare of a child","description":"Detective Medina was criminally charged with Third Degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child in violation of 2C:24-4B(5). These allegations are the result of an investigation that uncovered Detective Medina possessed numerous images of child sex abuse materials.","sourceRef":{"file":"major-discipline-2020-2025","sheet":"Major Discipline Data","row":1101}},{"id":"jonathan-olivo-hudson-co-sheriffs-dept-r1102","year":2024,"countyName":"Hudson","countySlug":"hudson","agencyId":"hudson-co-sheriffs-dept","rank":"Officer","firstName":"Jonathan","lastName":"Olivo","officerSlug":"jonathan-olivo-hudson-co-sheriffs-dept","terminated":"no","demoted":"no","suspended":"yes","daysSuspended":182,"separatedWhileIAPending":"no","otherSanction":"not_reported","sustainedCharges":"Conduct Unbecoming a Public Employee","description":"Officer Olivo was arrested on 5/25/2024 for suspicion of 39:4-50(Driving While Intoxicated), Careless Driving(39:4-97) and Refusal to Submit a Breath Sample(39:4-50.2) stemming from a motor vehicle accident involving a Port Authority Police Department vehicle.","sourceRef":{"file":"major-discipline-2020-2025","sheet":"Major Discipline Data","row":1102}},{"id":"bartholomew-lore-hudson-co-sheriffs-dept-r1723","year":2023,"countyName":"Hudson","countySlug":"hudson","agencyId":"hudson-co-sheriffs-dept","rank":"Officer","firstName":"Bartholomew","lastName":"Lore","officerSlug":"bartholomew-lore-hudson-co-sheriffs-dept","terminated":"no","demoted":"no","suspended":"yes","daysSuspended":150,"separatedWhileIAPending":"no","otherSanction":"not_reported","sustainedCharges":"Conduct Unbecoming","description":"Officer Lore, while on duty called for assistance for his non-working patrol vehicle. His fellow Officer arrived on scene to assist where a verbal dispute ensued which then escalated into a physical altercation whereby Sheriff's Officer Lore fell to the ground. Officer Lore's Conduct was a violation of the Hudson County Sheriff's Rules and Regulations (Conduct Unbecoming)","sourceRef":{"file":"major-discipline-2020-2025","sheet":"Major Discipline Data","row":1723}},{"id":"salvatore-diciacco-hudson-co-sheriffs-dept-r1724","year":2023,"countyName":"Hudson","countySlug":"hudson","agencyId":"hudson-co-sheriffs-dept","rank":"Sergeant","firstName":"Salvatore","lastName":"DiCiacco","officerSlug":"salvatore-diciacco-hudson-co-sheriffs-dept","terminated":"no","demoted":"no","suspended":"yes","daysSuspended":30,"separatedWhileIAPending":"no","otherSanction":"not_reported","sustainedCharges":"Neglect of Duty","description":"The investigation revealed Sgt. DiCiacco was sleeping on duty while in the holding area of the courthouse. This was vertified by fellow Officers and a photograph showing Sgt. DiCiacco seated in a reclined chair with his eyes closed. Sgt. DiCiaccio's conduct was a violation of the Hudson County Sheriff's Office Rules and Regulations (Neglect of Duty).","sourceRef":{"file":"major-discipline-2020-2025","sheet":"Major Discipline Data","row":1724}},{"id":"antonio-lucia-hudson-co-sheriffs-dept-r1725","year":2023,"countyName":"Hudson","countySlug":"hudson","agencyId":"hudson-co-sheriffs-dept","rank":"Sergeant","firstName":"Antonio","lastName":"Lucia","officerSlug":"antonio-lucia-hudson-co-sheriffs-dept","terminated":"no","demoted":"no","suspended":"yes","daysSuspended":180,"separatedWhileIAPending":"no","otherSanction":"not_reported","sustainedCharges":"4a. Other Sufficient Cause","description":"Sgt. Lucia, while on duty responded to a call for assistance of a non-working vehicle of a fellow Sheriff's Officer patrol vehicle. Upon arrival to the scene a verbal dispute ensued between Sgt. Lucia and his colleague escalating into a physical altercation. Subsequently, Lucia was struck 3 times by his fellow Sheriff's Officer and in response he retaliated with a single punch, causing the officer to fall to the ground. As a result, Lucia was charged with Simple Assault and plead guilty. Lucia's conduct was a violation of the Hudson County Sheriff's Office Rules and Regulations. (4A. Other Sufficient Cause)","sourceRef":{"file":"major-discipline-2020-2025","sheet":"Major Discipline Data","row":1725}},{"id":"william-medina-hudson-co-sheriffs-dept-r1726","year":2023,"countyName":"Hudson","countySlug":"hudson","agencyId":"hudson-co-sheriffs-dept","rank":"Detective","firstName":"William","lastName":"Medina","officerSlug":"william-medina-hudson-co-sheriffs-dept","terminated":"no","demoted":"no","suspended":"yes","daysSuspended":206,"separatedWhileIAPending":"no","otherSanction":"not_reported","sustainedCharges":"Endangering Welfare of Child","description":"Detective Medina was criminally charged with Third Degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child in violation of 2C:24-4B(5). These allegations are the result of an investigation that uncovered Detective Medina possessed numerous images of child sex abuse materials.","sourceRef":{"file":"major-discipline-2020-2025","sheet":"Major Discipline Data","row":1726}},{"id":"joseph-llave-hudson-co-sheriffs-dept-r2203","year":2022,"countyName":"Hudson","countySlug":"hudson","agencyId":"hudson-co-sheriffs-dept","rank":"Officer","firstName":"Joseph","lastName":"Llave","officerSlug":"joseph-llave-hudson-co-sheriffs-dept","terminated":"no","demoted":"no","suspended":"yes","daysSuspended":15,"separatedWhileIAPending":"not_applicable","otherSanction":"not_reported","sustainedCharges":"Neglect of Duty","description":"Review of camera footage from the courthouse shows Sheriff Officer Llave grabbing and pushing the complainant to the wall while escorting him out of the courthouse. The complainant was not resisting and was not given an opportunity to comply and leave the courthouse voluntarily. His interview and report was inconsistent with what was on video. Officer's Llave's conduct was a violation of the Attorney General's Use of Force Policy and a violation of the Hudson County Sheriff's Office Rules and Regulations Use of Force Topic. Additionally Officer Llave's demeanor with the complainant was found to be in violation of the Hudson County Sheriff's Rules and Regulations.","sourceRef":{"file":"major-discipline-2020-2025","sheet":"Major Discipline Data","row":2203}},{"id":"edward-franco-hudson-co-sheriffs-dept-r2578","year":2021,"countyName":"Hudson","countySlug":"hudson","agencyId":"hudson-co-sheriffs-dept","rank":"Officer","firstName":"Edward","lastName":"Franco","officerSlug":"edward-franco-hudson-co-sheriffs-dept","terminated":"no","demoted":"no","suspended":"yes","daysSuspended":45,"separatedWhileIAPending":"not_applicable","otherSanction":"not_reported","sustainedCharges":"not_provided","description":"Officer Franco was suspended 45 days for abuse of the sick leave policy.","sourceRef":{"file":"major-discipline-2020-2025","sheet":"Major Discipline Data","row":2578}},{"id":"nicholas-coviello-hudson-co-sheriffs-dept-r2579","year":2021,"countyName":"Hudson","countySlug":"hudson","agencyId":"hudson-co-sheriffs-dept","rank":"Investigator","firstName":"Nicholas","lastName":"Coviello","officerSlug":"nicholas-coviello-hudson-co-sheriffs-dept","terminated":"no","demoted":"no","suspended":"yes","daysSuspended":30,"separatedWhileIAPending":"not_applicable","otherSanction":"not_reported","sustainedCharges":"not_provided","description":"Investigator Coviello while off duty was charged with driving while intoxicated and plead guilty.","sourceRef":{"file":"major-discipline-2020-2025","sheet":"Major Discipline Data","row":2579}},{"id":"jose-gonzalez-hudson-co-sheriffs-dept-r2857","year":2020,"countyName":"Hudson","countySlug":"hudson","agencyId":"hudson-co-sheriffs-dept","rank":"Officer","firstName":"Jose","lastName":"Gonzalez","officerSlug":"jose-gonzalez-hudson-co-sheriffs-dept","terminated":"no","demoted":"no","suspended":"yes","daysSuspended":15,"separatedWhileIAPending":"not_applicable","otherSanction":"not_reported","sustainedCharges":"not_applicable","description":"Officer Gonzalez was suspended for 15 days for failing to take police action.","sourceRef":{"file":"major-discipline-2020-2025","sheet":"Major Discipline Data","row":2857}},{"id":"gabriela-burgos-hudson-co-sheriffs-dept-r2858","year":2020,"countyName":"Hudson","countySlug":"hudson","agencyId":"hudson-co-sheriffs-dept","rank":"Officer","firstName":"Gabriela","lastName":"Burgos","officerSlug":"gabriela-burgos-hudson-co-sheriffs-dept","terminated":"no","demoted":"no","suspended":"yes","daysSuspended":10,"separatedWhileIAPending":"not_applicable","otherSanction":"not_reported","sustainedCharges":"not_applicable","description":"Officer Burgos was suspended for 10 days for being at fault for a Motor Vehicle Crash.","sourceRef":{"file":"major-discipline-2020-2025","sheet":"Major Discipline Data","row":2858}},{"id":"edward-franco-hudson-co-sheriffs-dept-r2859","year":2020,"countyName":"Hudson","countySlug":"hudson","agencyId":"hudson-co-sheriffs-dept","rank":"Officer","firstName":"Edward","lastName":"Franco","officerSlug":"edward-franco-hudson-co-sheriffs-dept","terminated":"no","demoted":"no","suspended":"yes","daysSuspended":10,"separatedWhileIAPending":"not_applicable","otherSanction":"not_reported","sustainedCharges":"not_applicable","description":"Officer Franco was suspended for 10 days for abuse of the sick leave policy.","sourceRef":{"file":"major-discipline-2020-2025","sheet":"Major Discipline Data","row":2859}},{"id":"paul-newman-hudson-co-sheriffs-dept-r2860","year":2020,"countyName":"Hudson","countySlug":"hudson","agencyId":"hudson-co-sheriffs-dept","rank":"Investigator","firstName":"Paul","lastName":"Newman","officerSlug":"paul-newman-hudson-co-sheriffs-dept","terminated":"yes","demoted":"no","suspended":"no","daysSuspended":0,"separatedWhileIAPending":"not_applicable","otherSanction":"not_reported","sustainedCharges":"not_applicable","description":"Investigator Newman was terminated for driving an agency vehicle on more than one occasion, while his driver's license was suspended.","sourceRef":{"file":"major-discipline-2020-2025","sheet":"Major Discipline Data","row":2860}},{"id":"jasmine-cruz-hudson-co-sheriffs-dept-r2861","year":2020,"countyName":"Hudson","countySlug":"hudson","agencyId":"hudson-co-sheriffs-dept","rank":"Officer","firstName":"Jasmine","lastName":"Cruz","officerSlug":"jasmine-cruz-hudson-co-sheriffs-dept","terminated":"no","demoted":"no","suspended":"yes","daysSuspended":90,"separatedWhileIAPending":"not_applicable","otherSanction":"not_reported","sustainedCharges":"not_applicable","description":"Officer Cruz was suspended for 90 days for divulging the contents of a court proceeding to another party that was not present in the courtroom.","sourceRef":{"file":"major-discipline-2020-2025","sheet":"Major Discipline Data","row":2861}},{"id":"nicole-buzinkai-hudson-co-sheriffs-dept-r2862","year":2020,"countyName":"Hudson","countySlug":"hudson","agencyId":"hudson-co-sheriffs-dept","rank":"Officer","firstName":"Nicole","lastName":"Buzinkai","officerSlug":"nicole-buzinkai-hudson-co-sheriffs-dept","terminated":"no","demoted":"no","suspended":"yes","daysSuspended":90,"separatedWhileIAPending":"not_applicable","otherSanction":"not_reported","sustainedCharges":"not_applicable","description":"Officer Buzinkai was suspended for 90 days for abuse of the sick leave policy.","sourceRef":{"file":"major-discipline-2020-2025","sheet":"Major Discipline Data","row":2862}},{"id":"victor-silva-hudson-co-sheriffs-dept-r2863","year":2020,"countyName":"Hudson","countySlug":"hudson","agencyId":"hudson-co-sheriffs-dept","rank":"Officer","firstName":"Victor","lastName":"Silva","officerSlug":"victor-silva-hudson-co-sheriffs-dept","terminated":"no","demoted":"no","suspended":"yes","daysSuspended":20,"separatedWhileIAPending":"not_applicable","otherSanction":"not_reported","sustainedCharges":"not_applicable","description":"Officer Silva was suspended for 20 days for abuse of the sick leave policy.","sourceRef":{"file":"major-discipline-2020-2025","sheet":"Major Discipline Data","row":2863}}],"benchmark":{"year":2025,"investigationsPer100Officers":126.78571428571428,"countyMedianPer100":126.78571428571428,"statewideTypeMedianPer100":115.15151515151516,"countyPeerCount":1,"statewideTypePeerCount":20},"iaDetailByYear":[{"agencyId":"hudson-co-sheriffs-dept","countySlug":"hudson","countyName":"Hudson","year":2021,"investigations":35,"allegations":{"Demeanor":15,"Other Departmental Rule Violation":13,"Other Criminal Violation":6,"Differential Treatment":1},"internalDispositions":{"not_provided":12,"Exonerated":5,"Not Sustained":7,"Unfounded":1,"Administratively Closed":1,"Sustained":9},"sustainedInvestigations":0,"sourceRef":{"file":"ia-download-2021-2023","sheet":"Sheet1","row":1}},{"agencyId":"hudson-co-sheriffs-dept","countySlug":"hudson","countyName":"Hudson","year":2022,"investigations":46,"allegations":{"Assault":3,"Theft":1,"Other Criminal Violation":1,"Harassment/Stalking":1,"Use Of Force Policy Violation":1,"Improper Arrest":6,"Demeanor":11,"Neglect 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