Rasheed Siyam

Plain-language summary

Written by this site from the cited record only.

North Bergen Patrolman Rasheed Siyam was arrested by the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office on September 15, 2025, and charged with theft by deception under N.J.S.A. 2C:20-4a, a third-degree crime. An investigation found that Siyam created a false impression that he was working as an officer while he was at his residence on duty. From November of 2024 to May of 2025 he was at his residence past his approved breaks in excess of 130 hours. He was immediately suspended without pay, and the sustained charge was an indictable crime.

Synopsis as reported by the agency

On September 15, 2025, Police Officer Rasheed Siyam was arrested by the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office and charged with Theft by Deception (N.J.S.A. 2C:20-4a), a third-degree crime. An investigation by the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office determined that P.O. Siyam committed theft by deception by purposely creating a false impression that he was working as a North Bergen Police Officer when he was actually at his residence while he was on duty. From November of 2024 to May of 2025, P.O. Siyam was noted to be at his residence past his approved breaks in excess of 130 hours while on duty. P.O. R. Siyam was immediately suspended without pay pending the criminal disposition of the case.

Plain-language summary

Written by this site from the cited record only.

North Bergen Police Department suspended Patrolman Rasheed Siyam for 10 days in 2025. On May 23, 2025, Siyam was assigned to a prisoner watch at Jersey City Medical Center and was told by hospital staff that the prisoner had been medically cleared, but he failed to notify communications or a supervisor or arrange transport. He provided false information about the clearance to a relieving officer and supervisors, and later refused to cooperate with a lawfully ordered administrative interview. Sustained charges included neglect of duty, truthfulness, and insubordination.

Synopsis as reported by the agency

On May 23, 2025, Police Officer Rasheed Siyam was assigned to a prisoner watch detail at Jersey City Medical Center while awaiting medical clearance for a prisoner. During this assignment, hospital staff advised Officer Siyam that the prisoner had been medically cleared for incarceration. Despite receiving this information, Officer Siyam failed to notify communications, a supervisor, or take any action to arrange for the prisoner’s transport. When a relieving officer arrived on scene, hospital personnel advised them that the prisoner had been cleared several hours earlier and that Officer Siyam had been informed of the clearance. The relieving officer further documented that Officer Siyam provided misleading and false information regarding the status of the prisoner and the reason for the delay. The Internal Affairs investigation revealed a preponderance of evidence establishing that Officer Siyam had knowledge of the prisoner’s medical clearance and failed to act upon it, resulting in the prisoner being held at the hospital longer than necessary. The investigation corroborated the relieving officer's statement that Officer Siyam provided false information to both the other officer and supervisory personnel regarding his knowledge of the clearance and his actions while assigned to the detail. Additionally, when ordered to participate in an administrative interview regarding the incident, Officer Siyam, through counsel, refused to cooperate despite being lawfully ordered to do so, constituting insubordination.