Carmen Veneziano

Plain-language summary (this site, from the cited record only)

The Totowa Borough Police Department determined that on February 22 and 23, 2025, Chief Veneziano used his department-issued vehicle for personal use to drive to Seaside Heights for the Polar Bear Plunge and allowed non-law-enforcement individuals to ride in it. The record states that while driving under the influence he activated his emergency lights for a non-emergency in Point Pleasant and was arrested for DUI with a .241 BAC. Veneziano was suspended for 23 days on a sustained rules and regulations violation.

Synopsis as reported by the agency

After a thorough review of all the information gathered during this investigation, it is determined that on February 22, 2025, and February 23, 2025, Totowa Police Chief Carmen Veneziano used his department-issued vehicle for personal use when he drove to Seaside Heights to attend the Polar Bear Plunge. Chief Veneziano allowed non-law enforcement individuals to ride in his department-issued vehicle on multiple occasions during these two days. Furthermore, it is determined that while driving under the influence, Chief Veneziano activated his emergency lights for a non-emergency situation in Point Pleasant, New Jersey. Subsequently he was arrested for DUI with a .241 BAC and received additional Motor Vehicle Citations. It was also determined that although Chief Veneziano reported this incident to his supervisor, namely the Totowa Mayor, he did not submit a written report as required.

Plain-language summary (this site, from the cited record only)

The Totowa Borough Police Department reported that Chief Veneziano was arrested on December 19, 2025, and indicted in Suffolk County Superior Court in Massachusetts on charges arising from a September 14, 2025 incident. The record states the indictment charged kidnapping and three counts of assault and battery on a family or household member. Veneziano posted $25,000 cash bail and is subject to a court order barring contact with the victim and requiring GPS monitoring. The discipline included a suspension and loss of pay.

Synopsis as reported by the agency

Arrested 12/19/2025 Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 13:1-16.2 there are pending charges or indictments that could result in legal action mandating denial or revocation of his law enforcement license, specifically an indictment in Suffolk County Superior Court (MA), arising from an incident which occurred on or about September 14, 2025, in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He was indicted for violations of the following provisions of the Massachusetts General Laws, in connection with file number 2584-CR-00671: a. Kidnapping; Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 265, § 26.; b. Assault & Battery on Family or Household Member; Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 265 § 13M (three counts). He posted a $25,000 cash bail in Suffolk County Superior Court (MA). There is a Court Bail order in effect under Suffolk County Superior Court (MA) file number 2584-CR-00671. Under the conditions of this Order, he is not to contact the victim, or any other civilian witness involved in the September 14, 2025, incident. Additionally, he is subject to GPS monitoring with a 600-foot exclusion surrounding the victim’s home. Accordingly, the Court’s order evinces that you are a danger to public safety, health, order, or the effective provision of law enforcement services