{"url":"https://policetransparencynj.com/departments/union-city-pd/","summary":"Union City Police Department logged 33 internal affairs investigations in 2025 involving 28 officers named in those cases, down from higher counts earlier in the series. The rate of 117.9 per 100 officers came in under the Hudson County median of 138.9 and the 125.9 statewide municipal median. A lower rate can mean fewer complaints or fewer complaints written into the record, and the data does not settle which. Of the 33 investigations detailed for 2025, 6 reported sustained complaints. Demeanor led the allegation categories, with Excessive Force and Preventable MV accident next.\n\nUnion City accounts for 19 major discipline records across the 2020-2025 releases, appearing in every year from 2020 through 2025, including 3 terminations. Union City received an F on the report card, at the 87th percentile among 93 peers in the 60+ officers group, 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":"union-city-pd","slug":"union-city-pd","name":"Union City PD","fullName":"Union City Police Department","countySlug":"hudson","countyName":"Hudson","type":"municipal-pd","aliases":["Union City PD-Hudson","Union City PD|Hudson"]},"totalsByYear":[{"agencyId":"union-city-pd","countySlug":"hudson","countyName":"Hudson","year":2021,"officers":57,"investigations":62,"incidents":62,"sourceRef":{"file":"ia-agency-totals","sheet":"Sheet1","row":236}},{"agencyId":"union-city-pd","countySlug":"hudson","countyName":"Hudson","year":2022,"officers":78,"investigations":100,"incidents":80,"sourceRef":{"file":"ia-agency-totals","sheet":"Sheet1","row":1253}},{"agencyId":"union-city-pd","countySlug":"hudson","countyName":"Hudson","year":2023,"officers":73,"investigations":125,"incidents":95,"sourceRef":{"file":"ia-agency-totals","sheet":"Sheet1","row":1760}},{"agencyId":"union-city-pd","countySlug":"hudson","countyName":"Hudson","year":2024,"officers":59,"investigations":88,"incidents":71,"sourceRef":{"file":"ia-agency-totals","sheet":"Sheet1","row":744}},{"agencyId":"union-city-pd","countySlug":"hudson","countyName":"Hudson","year":2025,"officers":28,"investigations":33,"incidents":27,"sourceRef":{"file":"ia-agency-totals","sheet":"Sheet1","row":2268}}],"mdRecords":[{"id":"mauricio-garces-union-city-pd-r403","year":2025,"countyName":"Hudson","countySlug":"hudson","agencyId":"union-city-pd","rank":"OFFICER","firstName":"Mauricio","lastName":"Garces","officerSlug":"mauricio-garces-union-city-pd","terminated":"no","demoted":"no","suspended":"yes","daysSuspended":180,"separatedWhileIAPending":"no","otherSanction":"not_applicable","sustainedCharges":"DUI / Intoxication off-duty, not in uniform and arrested / Conduct unbecoming a public employee","description":"On July 2nd, 2023, Officer Mauricio Garces was arrested by the Secaucus Police Department for driving under the influence after being found asleep in his car while the car was in drive at an intersection. On January 9, 2024, Officer Garces pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of liquor or drugs. P.O. Mauricio Garces settled on a 180-Day suspension.","sourceRef":{"file":"major-discipline-2020-2025","sheet":"Major Discipline Data","row":403}},{"id":"patricia-lazzarini-union-city-pd-r404","year":2025,"countyName":"Hudson","countySlug":"hudson","agencyId":"union-city-pd","rank":"SERGEANT","firstName":"Patricia","lastName":"Lazzarini","officerSlug":"patricia-lazzarini-union-city-pd","terminated":"no","demoted":"no","suspended":"yes","daysSuspended":180,"separatedWhileIAPending":"no","otherSanction":"not_applicable","sustainedCharges":"Conduct unbecoming a public employee, Repeated Violations of Rules and Regulations","description":"On January 30, 2021, Sgt. Lazzarini was arrested by the Branchburg Police Department and subsequently received summonses for DWI, Refusal to submit to breath test and failure to maintain lane. On 02/13/2023, Sgt. Lazzarini was found guilty of Operating Under the Influence of Liquor or Drugs and Traffic on Marked Lanes. Sgt. Lazzarini subsequently settled on a 180-Day suspension on December 16, 2025.","sourceRef":{"file":"major-discipline-2020-2025","sheet":"Major Discipline Data","row":404}},{"id":"patricia-lazzarini-union-city-pd-r405","year":2025,"countyName":"Hudson","countySlug":"hudson","agencyId":"union-city-pd","rank":"SERGEANT","firstName":"Patricia","lastName":"Lazzarini","officerSlug":"patricia-lazzarini-union-city-pd","terminated":"no","demoted":"no","suspended":"yes","daysSuspended":180,"separatedWhileIAPending":"no","otherSanction":"not_applicable","sustainedCharges":"Conduct unbecoming a public employee, Repeated Violations of Rules and Regulations","description":"On June 2, 2024 and while on indefinite un-paid suspension since 2021, Sgt. Lazzarini was involved in an altercation at a nightclub in Asbury Park, N.J. and determined to be one of the aggressors. Having been required to surrender her credentials, Sgt. Lazzarini identified herself as a sergeant and displayed a Police ID card to the officer on scene. Sgt. Lazzarini subsequently settled on a 180-Day suspension on December 16, 2025.","sourceRef":{"file":"major-discipline-2020-2025","sheet":"Major Discipline Data","row":405}},{"id":"carlos-pina-union-city-pd-r406","year":2025,"countyName":"Hudson","countySlug":"hudson","agencyId":"union-city-pd","rank":"OFFICER","firstName":"Carlos","lastName":"Pina","officerSlug":"carlos-pina-union-city-pd","terminated":"no","demoted":"no","suspended":"yes","daysSuspended":35,"separatedWhileIAPending":"no","otherSanction":"not_applicable","sustainedCharges":"Conduct Unbecoming, Knowingly and willfully making a false entry in any department report or record","description":"On August 28, 2021, P.O. Pina was involved in an altercation with a member of the public. Investigation revealed that P.O. Pina used profane language, threatened the citizen and failed to provide his name/badge number when requested. In addition, P.O. Pina was determined to be untruthful in his official report of the incident and during his formal statement to Internal Affairs. 35-Day suspension was appealed. Final decision to sustain the 35-Day suspension was issued on June 11, 2025.","sourceRef":{"file":"major-discipline-2020-2025","sheet":"Major Discipline Data","row":406}},{"id":"ruben-rodriguez-union-city-pd-r407","year":2025,"countyName":"Hudson","countySlug":"hudson","agencyId":"union-city-pd","rank":"SERGEANT","firstName":"Ruben","lastName":"Rodriguez","officerSlug":"ruben-rodriguez-union-city-pd","terminated":"no","demoted":"no","suspended":"yes","daysSuspended":123,"separatedWhileIAPending":"no","otherSanction":"not_applicable","sustainedCharges":"Neglect of Duty","description":"On August 8,2024, Sgt. Rodriguez was involved in executing an arrest, during which time he reported that the arrestee assaulted him. Upon further investigation, it was determined the information Sgt. Rodriguez put in the official report was false.","sourceRef":{"file":"major-discipline-2020-2025","sheet":"Major Discipline Data","row":407}},{"id":"david-tafur-union-city-pd-r408","year":2025,"countyName":"Hudson","countySlug":"hudson","agencyId":"union-city-pd","rank":"OFFICER","firstName":"David","lastName":"Tafur","officerSlug":"david-tafur-union-city-pd","terminated":"no","demoted":"no","suspended":"yes","daysSuspended":8,"separatedWhileIAPending":"no","otherSanction":"not_applicable","sustainedCharges":"Neglect of Duty, Knowingly and willfully making a false entry in any department report or record","description":"On November 3, 2024, Officer Tafur was assigned to off-duty extra employment detail. Throughout his assignment, Officer Tafur violated a number of Rules & Regulations, as well as General Orders. Officer Tafur initially failed to report to the Police Desk to sign in for his detail and failed to report late to a supervisor. During his assignment, Officer Tafur failed to use radio transmissions to advise of his calls for service, instead text messaging a dispatcher to enter the calls for service for him. While at a precinct, Officer Tafur was observed falling in and out of sleep during his extra duty detail. When Officer Tafur's supervisors questioned him about his reporting procedure, he refused to provide the requested information multiple times. While Officer Tafur ultimately provided the information to Internal Affairs investigators, the information he provided could not be corroborated.","sourceRef":{"file":"major-discipline-2020-2025","sheet":"Major Discipline Data","row":408}},{"id":"david-tafur-union-city-pd-r409","year":2025,"countyName":"Hudson","countySlug":"hudson","agencyId":"union-city-pd","rank":"OFFICER","firstName":"David","lastName":"Tafur","officerSlug":"david-tafur-union-city-pd","terminated":"no","demoted":"no","suspended":"yes","daysSuspended":5,"separatedWhileIAPending":"no","otherSanction":"not_applicable","sustainedCharges":"Neglect of Duty, Knowingly and willfully making a false entry in any department report or record","description":"On July 7, 2023, P.O. Tafur called the UCPD to advise that he was calling out sick from his scheduled shift on 07/08/2024. On 07/08/2024, P.O. Tafur was not home when the physical convalescence check was conducted. After being contacted by the road supervisor, P.O. Tafur admitted to not being home, and in fact, being out of the country. Investigation was sustained determining that P.O. Tafur's misconduct was bearing upon P.O. Tafur’s truthfulness, with one of the sustained charges being “Knowingly and willfully making a false entry in any departmental report or record.","sourceRef":{"file":"major-discipline-2020-2025","sheet":"Major Discipline Data","row":409}},{"id":"edward-romero-union-city-pd-r1132","year":2024,"countyName":"Hudson","countySlug":"hudson","agencyId":"union-city-pd","rank":"OFFICER","firstName":"Edward","lastName":"Romero","officerSlug":"edward-romero-union-city-pd","terminated":"no","demoted":"no","suspended":"yes","daysSuspended":12,"separatedWhileIAPending":"no","otherSanction":"not_applicable","sustainedCharges":"NEGLECT OF DUTY. 4:7.5 CONVALESCENT TIME. 4:7.4 UNAUTHORIZEDD ABSENSE,","description":"On 11-29-2023, a convalescence check was conducted on the officer for being on extended sick leave. The convalescence check was conducted after the officer failed to update the Chief’s Office on three separate dates, in violation of the departmental Extended Sick Policy. At the time of the convalescence check, the officer was not present at his place of convalescence when the visit was conducted.","sourceRef":{"file":"major-discipline-2020-2025","sheet":"Major Discipline Data","row":1132}},{"id":"daniel-infante-union-city-pd-r1744","year":2023,"countyName":"Hudson","countySlug":"hudson","agencyId":"union-city-pd","rank":"Officer","firstName":"Daniel","lastName":"Infante","officerSlug":"daniel-infante-union-city-pd","terminated":"no","demoted":"no","suspended":"yes","daysSuspended":30,"separatedWhileIAPending":"not_reported","otherSanction":"Monetary fine or loss of pay","sustainedCharges":"Conduct unbecoming a Public employee, Conduct Subversive of Good Order and the Discipline of the Department","description":"Officer Daniel Infante was suspended for thirty (30) days for violation of Conduct unbecoming a public employee, after members of the Montvale Police Department conducted a motor vehicle stop and found Officer Infante to be driving under the influence. Officer Infante was subsequently arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated.","sourceRef":{"file":"major-discipline-2020-2025","sheet":"Major Discipline Data","row":1744}},{"id":"ulises-torres-union-city-pd-r1745","year":2023,"countyName":"Hudson","countySlug":"hudson","agencyId":"union-city-pd","rank":"Officer","firstName":"Ulises","lastName":"Torres","officerSlug":"ulises-torres-union-city-pd","terminated":"no","demoted":"no","suspended":"yes","daysSuspended":30,"separatedWhileIAPending":"not_reported","otherSanction":"Monetary fine or loss of pay","sustainedCharges":"Conduct unbecoming a Public employee, Neglect of Duty,Other sufficient cause","description":"Officer Ulises Torres was suspended for thirty (30) days for violation of Conduct unbecoming a public employee, Neglect of Duty & Other sufficient cause. Officer Torres completed a call for service and after doing so he responded back to the victim's residence. Once there Officer Torres engaged in inappropriate touching with the victim.","sourceRef":{"file":"major-discipline-2020-2025","sheet":"Major Discipline Data","row":1745}},{"id":"alexander-armas-union-city-pd-r1746","year":2023,"countyName":"Hudson","countySlug":"hudson","agencyId":"union-city-pd","rank":"Sergeant","firstName":"Alexander","lastName":"Armas","officerSlug":"alexander-armas-union-city-pd","terminated":"no","demoted":"no","suspended":"yes","daysSuspended":15,"separatedWhileIAPending":"not_reported","otherSanction":"Monetary fine or loss of pay","sustainedCharges":"Incompetency, inefficiency, or failure to perform duties;Conduct unbecoming a public employee,misuse of public property;and Other sufficient cause.","description":"Sgt. A. Armas was suspended fifteen (15) days for violation of administrative charges and violation of departmental rules and regulations. Sgt. A. Armas utilized a secured database to retrieve personal information.","sourceRef":{"file":"major-discipline-2020-2025","sheet":"Major Discipline Data","row":1746}},{"id":"kevin-roldan-union-city-pd-r2215","year":2022,"countyName":"Hudson","countySlug":"hudson","agencyId":"union-city-pd","rank":"Officer","firstName":"Kevin","lastName":"Roldan","officerSlug":"kevin-roldan-union-city-pd","terminated":"yes","demoted":"no","suspended":"yes","daysSuspended":58,"separatedWhileIAPending":"not_applicable","otherSanction":"not_reported","sustainedCharges":"Failing to satisfy probationary period","description":"On 10/6/22, Officer Roldan was involved in an off-duty motor vehicle accident, which resulted in injury to another person. Officer Roldan was arrested and charged with DWI & Assault by Auto(2C:12-1c(3)(a)). Officer Roldan was suspended without pay on 10/18/22. As of 12/20/22 criminal charges were still pending. Based on the incident and the fact that Officer Roldan was still in his working test period with pending charges, he failed to satisfactorily complete his working test period. On 12/22/22 Officer Roldan was terminated.","sourceRef":{"file":"major-discipline-2020-2025","sheet":"Major Discipline Data","row":2215}},{"id":"gerardo-colon-union-city-pd-r2216","year":2022,"countyName":"Hudson","countySlug":"hudson","agencyId":"union-city-pd","rank":"Officer","firstName":"Gerardo","lastName":"Colon","officerSlug":"gerardo-colon-union-city-pd","terminated":"no","demoted":"no","suspended":"yes","daysSuspended":10,"separatedWhileIAPending":"not_applicable","otherSanction":"not_reported","sustainedCharges":"Other Rule Violation","description":"Officer was suspended 10 days for a Rule Violation, specifically for being involved in a motor vehicle accident while on duty. Officer was charged with failing to properly care for assigned equipment.","sourceRef":{"file":"major-discipline-2020-2025","sheet":"Major Discipline Data","row":2216}},{"id":"harold-polo-union-city-pd-r2217","year":2022,"countyName":"Hudson","countySlug":"hudson","agencyId":"union-city-pd","rank":"Detective","firstName":"Harold","lastName":"Polo","officerSlug":"harold-polo-union-city-pd","terminated":"no","demoted":"no","suspended":"yes","daysSuspended":20,"separatedWhileIAPending":"not_applicable","otherSanction":"not_reported","sustainedCharges":"Conduct Unbecoming","description":"Detective Polo was suspended 20 days as a result of an off-duty DUI in which he pleaded guilty to Reckless Driving with a 90 day license suspension the additional two charges (39:4-50.2 & 39:4-50.4A) were dismissed.","sourceRef":{"file":"major-discipline-2020-2025","sheet":"Major Discipline Data","row":2217}},{"id":"anthony-valvidia-union-city-pd-r2218","year":2022,"countyName":"Hudson","countySlug":"hudson","agencyId":"union-city-pd","rank":"Detective","firstName":"Anthony","lastName":"Valvidia","officerSlug":"anthony-valvidia-union-city-pd","terminated":"no","demoted":"no","suspended":"yes","daysSuspended":10,"separatedWhileIAPending":"not_applicable","otherSanction":"not_reported","sustainedCharges":"Conduct unbecoming, Incomplete or Failure to perform duties, Misuse of public property, Failure to comply with lawful orders, directive or regulation.","description":"Officer Valdivia was suspended 10 days for engaging in a personal conversation via text messages with a female suspect of an investigation. Thereafter he used a dept. vehicle without authorization, picked up the female and drove outside the jurisdiction of Union City. Officer Valdivia failed to activate his body worn camera while interacting with the female and failed to document such actions.","sourceRef":{"file":"major-discipline-2020-2025","sheet":"Major Discipline Data","row":2218}},{"id":"brandon-godoy-union-city-pd-r2599","year":2021,"countyName":"Hudson","countySlug":"hudson","agencyId":"union-city-pd","rank":"Recruit","firstName":"Brandon","lastName":"Godoy","officerSlug":"brandon-godoy-union-city-pd","terminated":"yes","demoted":"no","suspended":"no","daysSuspended":0,"separatedWhileIAPending":"not_applicable","otherSanction":"not_reported","sustainedCharges":"Other","description":"Failed a drug test.","sourceRef":{"file":"major-discipline-2020-2025","sheet":"Major Discipline Data","row":2599}},{"id":"wesley-hernandez-union-city-pd-r2600","year":2021,"countyName":"Hudson","countySlug":"hudson","agencyId":"union-city-pd","rank":"Officer","firstName":"Wesley","lastName":"Hernandez","officerSlug":"wesley-hernandez-union-city-pd","terminated":"yes","demoted":"no","suspended":"no","daysSuspended":0,"separatedWhileIAPending":"not_applicable","otherSanction":"not_reported","sustainedCharges":"2C: 20-25 e","description":"Officer was found to be accessing unauthorized information via police computer systems.","sourceRef":{"file":"major-discipline-2020-2025","sheet":"Major Discipline Data","row":2600}},{"id":"sergio-derojas-union-city-pd-r2871","year":2020,"countyName":"Hudson","countySlug":"hudson","agencyId":"union-city-pd","rank":"Lieutenant","firstName":"Sergio","lastName":"Derojas","officerSlug":"sergio-derojas-union-city-pd","terminated":"no","demoted":"no","suspended":"yes","daysSuspended":8,"separatedWhileIAPending":"not_applicable","otherSanction":"not_reported","sustainedCharges":"not_applicable","description":"Lieutenant DeRojas utilized passcodes not belonging to him to modify a police incident report.","sourceRef":{"file":"major-discipline-2020-2025","sheet":"Major Discipline Data","row":2871}},{"id":"onofrio-altizio-union-city-pd-r2872","year":2020,"countyName":"Hudson","countySlug":"hudson","agencyId":"union-city-pd","rank":"SLEO II","firstName":"Onofrio","lastName":"Altizio","officerSlug":"onofrio-altizio-union-city-pd","terminated":"no","demoted":"no","suspended":"yes","daysSuspended":60,"separatedWhileIAPending":"not_applicable","otherSanction":"not_reported","sustainedCharges":"not_applicable","description":"SLEO Altizo took a police vehicle without authorization and struck a pedestrian. Altizo was deemed at fault in the accident due to his failure to maintain control of the vehicle.","sourceRef":{"file":"major-discipline-2020-2025","sheet":"Major Discipline Data","row":2872}}],"benchmark":{"year":2025,"investigationsPer100Officers":117.85714285714286,"countyMedianPer100":138.88888888888889,"statewideTypeMedianPer100":125.92592592592592,"countyPeerCount":13,"statewideTypePeerCount":445},"iaDetailByYear":[{"agencyId":"union-city-pd","countySlug":"hudson","countyName":"Hudson","year":2021,"investigations":62,"allegations":{"Other Departmental Rule Violation":41,"Improper Arrest":2,"Other Criminal Violation":3,"Demeanor":9,"Excessive Force":6,"Differential Treatment":1},"internalDispositions":{"Sustained":24,"not_provided":12,"Not Sustained":3,"Exonerated":13,"Unfounded":8,"Administratively Closed":2},"sustainedInvestigations":0,"sourceRef":{"file":"ia-download-2021-2023","sheet":"Sheet1","row":1}},{"agencyId":"union-city-pd","countySlug":"hudson","countyName":"Hudson","year":2022,"investigations":100,"allegations":{"Other Departmental Rule Violation":27,"Preventable MV accident":9,"DUI/DWI Off Duty":2,"Improper Supervision/Failure To Supervise":2,"Conduct Unbecoming/Discredit To The Agency":9,"Demeanor":26,"Loss Of Or Failure To Safeguard Agency Propert":2,"Attendance issues":11,"Improper Arrest":2,"Excessive Force":5,"Improper Entry":1,"not_provided":1,"Improper Search":1,"Assault":1,"False Documentation/Falsifying A Report (Non-Criminal)":1},"internalDispositions":{"Exonerated":29,"Sustained":42,"not_provided":16,"Not Sustained":6,"Administratively Closed":1,"Unfounded":6},"sustainedInvestigations":41,"sourceRef":{"file":"ia-download-2021-2023","sheet":"Sheet1","row":1}},{"agencyId":"union-city-pd","countySlug":"hudson","countyName":"Hudson","year":2023,"investigations":125,"allegations":{"Other Departmental Rule Violation":14,"Conduct Unbecoming/Discredit To The Agency":11,"Neglect of Duty":5,"Preventable MV accident":8,"DUI/DWI Off duty":2,"Sexual assault/Criminal sexual violation":1,"Improper Arrest":2,"not_provided":28,"Demeanor":26,"Differential Treatment":3,"Excessive Force":6,"Attendance issues":14,"Improper Search":1,"Insubordination/Disobeying An Order":1,"False Documentation/Falsifying A Report (Non-Criminal)":1,"BWC/MVR Violation":1,"Loss Of Or Failure To Safeguard Agency Propert":1},"internalDispositions":{"Administratively Closed":6,"Sustained":31,"not_provided":30,"Exonerated":43,"Not Sustained":11,"Unfounded":4},"sustainedInvestigations":36,"sourceRef":{"file":"ia-download-2021-2023","sheet":"Sheet1","row":1}},{"agencyId":"union-city-pd","countySlug":"hudson","countyName":"Hudson","year":2024,"investigations":88,"allegations":{"DUI/DWI On duty":1,"Demeanor":22,"Other Departmental Rule Violation":30,"Improper Arrest":6,"Improper Search":1,"Attendance Issues":3,"Neglect of Duty":1,"Preventable MV Accident":4,"Conduct Unbecoming/Discredit To The Agency":2,"Excessive Force":6,"Differential Treatment":4,"not_provided":2,"Loss Of Or Failure To Safeguard Agency Propert":1,"Vehicular Pursuit Policy Violation":1,"Other Criminal Violation":1,"Domestic violence (Criminal)":1,"DUI/DWI Off Duty":1,"False Documentation/Falsifying A Report (Criminal)":1},"internalDispositions":{"not_provided":14,"Exonerated":31,"Sustained":21,"Unfounded":11,"Not Sustained":10,"Administratively Closed":1},"sustainedInvestigations":20,"sourceRef":{"file":"ia-investigations-2024-2025","sheet":"Sheet1","row":1}},{"agencyId":"union-city-pd","countySlug":"hudson","countyName":"Hudson","year":2025,"investigations":33,"allegations":{"Excessive Force":6,"Demeanor":8,"Preventable MV accident":6,"Other Criminal Violation":3,"Improper Search":1,"Neglect of Duty":3,"Differential Treatment":2,"Attendance issues":1,"not_provided":1,"Other Departmental Rule Violation":1,"Improper Arrest":1},"internalDispositions":{"Exonerated":13,"Unfounded":2,"Sustained":6,"Not Sustained":3,"not_provided":8,"Administratively Closed":1},"sustainedInvestigations":6,"sourceRef":{"file":"ia-investigations-2024-2025","sheet":"Sheet1","row":1}}],"officersInvolvedByYear":{"2024":87,"2025":33},"nonReportingYears":[]}}