Major discipline · 2023[1]
Demoted- Rank as reported
- Sergeant
- Sustained charge(s)
- 1. Harassment 2. Standards of conduct 3. Conduct toward superior 4. Profane language
- Separated while IA pending
- No
Plain-language summary (this site, from the cited record only)
In 2023, Sergeant Matthew Sykes was demoted by the Avalon Borough Police Department. According to the record, Sykes, while off duty, exchanged text messages with another sergeant on their personal phones and referred to a third-party officer using a racial slur. After being notified of the investigation, Sykes sent a further message reading 'game on', which the other sergeant took to mean he could be retaliated against for filing the report. The sustained charges included harassment, standards of conduct, conduct toward a superior, and profane language.
Synopsis as reported by the agency
Sergeant Sykes engaged in a texting conversation with another sergeant with the department, while off duty, utilizing their personal phones, discussing both work and non-work related things. In the exchange, Sgt. Sykes referred to a third-party officer as a racial slur. Upon being notified of the investigation, Sgt. Sykes then sent another text message to the sergeant, ("game on") causing him to believe he could be retaliated against for filing the report. These acts violated police department standard operating procedure # 75 (harassment in the workplace) and rules and regulations, (1:6.1) standards of conduct (1:8.11) conduct toward a superior officer, (3:1.1 c ). indecent, profane, harsh language, and (3:1.1 x) conduct subversive the good order and discipline of the department.