Amber Fontanella

Plain-language summary

Written by this site from the cited record only.

Sergeant Amber Fontanella was suspended for 14 days by the Rahway Police Department on sustained charges of demeanor and a body worn camera violation. The record states that on July 8, 2023 Fontanella had an unrecorded conversation with a member of the public seeking a police escort, told the citizen that all officers were occupied, and advised the citizen to tell whomever they spoke to to hire more cops, without activating her body worn camera. The record states she made vulgar comments during separate recorded incidents the same day.

Synopsis as reported by the agency

On July 8, 2023, while serving as the ranking supervisor on duty at Rahway Police Headquarters, Sergeant Fontanella engaged in an unrecorded conversation with a member of the public who had approached the front window seeking a police escort. During the exchange, Sergeant Fontanella responded to the citizen’s request by stating that all officers were occupied and advised the citizen to “tell whomever you spoke to to hire more cops.” This interaction was not recorded as required due to her failure to activate her body worn camera (BWC), in violation of departmental policy and the Attorney General’s Body Worn Camera Directive. Sgt. Fontanella later acknowledged the statement in a written email. In addition, during separate BWC-recorded incidents on the same date, Sgt. Fontanella made unprofessional comments where vulgar and inappropriate language was used. Her conduct constituted violations of civil service regulations addressing incompetency, inefficiency, and failure to perform duties, conduct unbecoming a public employee, and other sufficient cause, as well as statutory grounds for the suspension of police officers. Furthermore, she violated Rahway Police Department policies including rules governing courtesy, general conduct, supervisory responsibilities, and mandatory use of body worn cameras. These violations collectively demonstrated a failure to uphold the standards expected of her position. Although the incident occurred in 2023, the appeal process concluded in 2024.

Plain-language summary

Written by this site from the cited record only.

In an earlier matter, Officer Amber Fontanella was suspended for 10 days by the Rahway Police Department on sustained charges of standards of conduct and use of position. The record states that Fontanella conducted an investigation without proper notification or authorization from the agency.

Synopsis as reported by the agency

Officer conducted an investigation without proper notification or authorization from the agency.