Major discipline · 2024[1]
Suspended 60 days- Rank as reported
- Correctional Police Sergeant
- Sustained charge(s)
- N.J.A.C. 4A: 2-2.3(a) 6. an employee (a)(7) N.J.A.C. 4A: 2-2.3(a) 12. . B2: , loafing, idleness or willful failure to devote attention to tasks that could result in danger to persons or property. B8: Serious mistake due to carelessness which may result in danger and/or injury to persons or property. D7: Violation of administrative procedures and/or regulations involving safety and security.
- Separated while IA pending
- No
Plain-language summary (this site, from the cited record only)
On 8/15/24, the Department of Transportation reported that two incarcerated persons on Correctional Police Sergeant Jason Berry's detail crew relieved themselves in plain sight. An investigation found the crew was in an unauthorized location, that Berry had no knowledge of the crew's location and failed to inspect it, and that he failed to sign the log book on multiple dates in April, May, July and August 2024. The detail crew also traveled through South Jersey shore towns it was not authorized to visit. Berry signed a settlement agreement on 12/23/24.
Synopsis as reported by the agency
On August 15, 2024 a complaint was received by the NJ Department of Transportation that two Incarcerated Persons on Sgt. Berry's detail crew were relieving themselves in plain sight. An investigation determined that the detail officer and the Incarcerated Persons were in an unauthorized location and the Incarcerated Persons were permitted to relieve themselves in the area. The investigation further revealed that Sgt. Berry had no knowledge of the location of the detail crew and he failed to perform an inspection on that date. The investigation also revealed that Sgt. Berry failed to sign the log book on multiple dates throughout the months of April, May July and August 2024. The investigation also revealed that Sgt. Berry's detail crew traveled through various South Jersey shore towns that they were not authorized to travel to. Sgt. Berry's neglect resulted in a risk to the safety and security of the Incarcerated Persons assigned to the detail crew as well as members of the general public. Sgt. Berry signed a settlement agreement on this matter on December 23, 2024.