Major discipline · 2025[1]
Separated while IA pending- Rank as reported
- Patroman
- Sustained charge(s)
- Excessive Force
- Separated while IA pending
- Yes
Plain-language summary (this site, from the cited record only)
Patrolman Manuel Santiago separated from the Edison Township Police Department while an internal affairs investigation was pending. Santiago responded to a dispute near the Inman and Grove shopping complex and approached a party who had his hands raised and stated he did not have anything. Santiago threw the male party to the ground and forced his hands behind his back. His use of force was deemed excessive and inconsistent with the use of force policy, and he resigned before the investigation concluded.
Synopsis as reported by the agency
Ptl. Santiagio responded to a dispute in the area of the Inman and grove shopping complex. Upon arrival Ptl. Santiago exited his vehicle and immediately approached one of the parties in the dispute, who had his hands raised stating "I don’t have anything". Ptl. Santiago used force by throwing the male party to the ground and forcing his hands behind his back. Ptl. Santiagio's use of force was deemed to be excessive and inconsistent with the use of force policy. Ptl. Santiago resigned his position with the department prior to the conclusion of the Internal affairs investigation.