Michelle Shikhman

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

Correctional Police Officer Michelle Shikhman entered into an inappropriate relationship with an inmate, both on and off duty at the Bergen County Correctional and Rehabilitation Center, the agency reported for 2025. During the relationship she had inappropriate conversations with the inmate within the facility and remotely through video visiting. Shikhman was in a no pay suspension status, pending termination, when she resigned from the Bergen County Sheriffs Office.

Synopsis as reported by the agency

Correctional Police Officer Michelle Shihkman, both while on and off duty at the Bergen County Correctional and Rehabilitation Center (BCCRC) entered into an inappropriate relationship with an inmate. During this relationship she had inappropriate conversations, both within the facility, as well as remotely, with the inmate utilizing video visiting. ***Officer Shikhman was in a "No Pay Suspension" status, pending termination, when she resigned from her position with the Bergen County Sheriff's Office.

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

On multiple occasions while on duty at the Bergen County Correctional and Rehabilitation Center, Correctional Police Officer Michelle Shikhman changed an inmate's TID, which terminated his ability to access telephones or tablets, for no justifiable reason. The change was not documented or approved by a supervisor. Shikhman was then untruthful and evasive with the Office of Professional Standards, despite being provided proof that she had revoked the access. She resigned from the Bergen County Sheriffs Office while in a no pay suspension status, pending termination.

Synopsis as reported by the agency

Correctional Police Officer Michelle Shikhman, while on duty at the Bergen County Correctional and Rehabilitation Center (BCCRC), on multiple occassions changed an inmate's TID, which terminated his ability to access telephones or tablets, for no justifiable reason. The change of the TID number, or any disciplinary justification for revoking the inmate's rights to telephone or tablets was not documented or approved by a supervisor. Officer Shikhman was then untruthful and evasive with the Office of Professional Standards when being interviewed, despite being advised and provided proof that she had indeed revoked the access to telephones and tablets. ****Officer Shikhman was in a "No Pay Suspension" status, pending termination, when she resigned from her position with the Bergen County Sheriff's Office.

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

While on duty at the Bergen County Correctional and Rehabilitation Center, Correctional Police Officer Michelle Shikhman left her OC spray and 2-way radio unsecured on the officer's desk and failed to conduct a formal headcount. She communicated with an inmate through her social media accounts and, when approached by an inmate who requested she introduce marijuana into the facility, did not report it to a supervisor. Shikhman failed to cooperate with the investigation and resigned from the Bergen County Sheriffs Office while in a no pay suspension status, pending termination.

Synopsis as reported by the agency

Correctional Police Officer Michelle Shikhman, while on duty at the Bergen County Correctional and Rehabilitation Center (BCCRC), left her Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) spray and 2-way radio unsecure on the Officer's Desk in a housing unit for extended periods of time. The investigation revealed that Officer Shikhman failed to follow meal distribution procedures and conduct a formal headcount. Additionally, on this same date, Officer Shikhman was observed providing a meal from the Officer's Dining Room to an inmate. On multiple other dates, Officer Shikhman discovered, but failed to investigate or report the smell of tobacco smoke in the housing unit she was assigned. Officer Shikhman was also approached by an inmate who requested she introduce marijuana into the BCCRC. While she did not commit this act, she failed to notify or report this to a supervisor. Additionally, over a period of several months, Officer Shikhman failed to report or document multiple suspensions of inmate tablet privileges. Over a period of several months, Officer Shikhman communicated with an inmate housed at the BCCRC, utilizing her social media accounts. During this investigation, Officer Shikhman failed to cooperate with the investigation. **Officer Shikhman was in a "No Pay Suspension" status, pending termination, when she resigned from her position with the Bergen County Sheriff's Office.