Ricardo Moreira

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

In 2023, the South Brunswick Township Police Department reported that multiple charges against Officer Moreira were sustained and later dismissed as part of a settlement of civil litigation. The sustained charges spanned several internal affairs cases and included truthfulness, conduct unbecoming, neglect of duty, insubordination, and misconduct. Under the settlement, Moreira would pursue a disability pension and, if denied, return on unpaid administrative leave for 30 days before submitting an irrevocable resignation.

Synopsis as reported by the agency

The below charges were all sustained and later dismissed as part of a settlement of civil litigation. Consistent with that settlement agreement, Officer Moreira, contending he was disabled from performing the duties of a police officer, would file for a disability pension with the New Jersey Division of Pensions and Benefits. The settlement agreement provides that if his disability application is denied, Moreira would return to employment with the Township of South Brunswick on unpaid administrative leave for 30 days, submit an irrevocable letter of resignation to the Township, and agree not seek reinstatement or reemployment with the Township in the future. 1.) Internal Affairs Case 2020-14 A complaint was made that Officer Moreira lied during a hearing regarding a previous internal affairs investigation. The totality of the investigation established by a preponderance of the evidence that Officer Moreira displayed a lack of candor by making inconsistent statements during his interviews, testimony and statements that were contrary to information that was learned during the investigation. The totality of the investigation established by a preponderance of the evidence that Officer Moreira gave false testimony during a hearing under oath on June 23, 2020. The preponderance of the evidence in this case sustained violations of: Department Rule 3:10.4, Truthfulness; Department Rule 3:10.8, Conduct Unbecoming; Department Rule 3:1.3, Cooperation; Department Rule 3:1.8, Performance of Duty; Department Rule 3:1.7, Neglect of Duty; Department Rule 3:1.12, Obedience to Laws and Regulations; General Order G.1.25, Vehicle Inspections; South Brunswick Core Values; Oath of Office; and N.J.S.A. 40A:14-147, Misconduct. 2.) Internal Affairs Case 2020-21 In July 2020, Officer Moreira did not return three separate messages left by a superior officer on his voicemail. The preponderance of the evidence in this case sustained violations of: Department Rule 3:1.10, Insubordination; Department Rule 3:1.7, Neglect of Duty; Department Rule 3:1.3, Cooperation; Department Rule 5:22, Repeated Violations; South Brunswick Core Values; Oath of Office; and N.J.S.A. 40A:14-147, Misconduct. 3.) Internal Affairs Case 2020-33 On Tuesday, November 24, 2020, at 6:54PM, a commanding officer contacted Officer Moreira via the telephone to schedule an interview. During the conversation (portion of which was recorded), Officer Moreira cursed and later yelled at the commanding officer. The preponderance of the evidence in this case sustained violations of: Department Rule 3:1.10, Insubordination; Department Rule 5:22, Repeated Violations; South Brunswick Core Values; Oath of Office; and N.J.S.A. 40A:14-147, Misconduct. 4.) Internal Affairs Case 2021-13 From January 25, 2021 to April 19, 2021, Officer Moreira was assigned to restrictive administrative duty dayshift. While being paid by South Brunswick Township and on restrictive administrative duty, Officer Moreira engaged in work for his private business by making phone calls and utilizing Township equipment. The preponderance of the evidence based on the statements provided by numerous staff members and an examination of his work computer hard drive sustained violations of: General Order G.1.31 – Off Duty Employment; Department Rule 3:1.1, Standards of Conduct; Department Rule 3:1.8, Performance of Duty; Department Rule 5:22 - Repeated Violations; South Brunswick Core Values; Oath of Office; and N.J.S.A. 40A:14-147, Misconduct. 5.) Internal Affairs Case 2021-14 On Monday, April 19, 2021, a commanding officer issued and personally delivered a memorandum to Officer Moreira, which advised Officer Moreira upon his return to work he would be reporting to the Support Services office and answering to the Lieutenant in charge. The memorandum also advised Officer Moreira he was no longer to report to the Records Bureau, he should not enter the Records Bureau at any time, and he was prohibited from contacting any of the clerical staff in the Records Bureau, while on or off-duty. The memorandum stated if Officer Moreira had any questions about these orders to contact the Administrative Captain. On Monday, April 26, 2021, at 9:47am, Officer Moreira entered the Records Bureau, signed on to a department computer and accessed a department program. At approximately 9:53am, two commanding officers entered the Records Bureau and advised Officer Moreira of the April 19, 2021 memorandum. A commanding officer advised Officer Moreira that he had to leave the Records Bureau and Officer Moreira became argumentative. Another commanding officer stayed with Officer Moreira as he logged off of the computer and exited the Records Bureau. The preponderance of the evidence in this case sustained violations of: Department Rule 3:1.10, Insubordination; Department Rule 3.1.1, Standards of Conduct; Department Rule 3:1.7, Neglect of Duty; Department Rule 5:22, Repeated Violations; South Brunswick Core Values; Oath of Office; and N.J.S.A. 40A:14-147, Misconduct. 6.) Internal Affairs Case 2021-15 From March 26, 2018 through October 9, 2018, Officer Moreira came into South Brunswick Police Department for scheduled municipal court appearances with his juvenile child. On two separate occasions, Officer Moreira left his juvenile child in the police department records bureau and directed the clerical staff to babysit his child while he was attending municipal court. A review of all available information including witness interviews, Officer Moreira’s Overtime Activity Report, and Supplemental Pay Worksheet was conducted. The preponderance of the evidence in this case sustained violations of: Department Rule 3:1.1, Standards of Conduct; Department Rule 3:1.8, Performance of Duty; Department Rule 5:22 - Repeated Violations; South Brunswick Core Values; Oath of Office; and N.J.S.A. 40A:14-147, Misconduct.

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

In 2020, the South Brunswick Township Police Department suspended Officer Moreira, described in the record as a nine-year veteran, for 30 days. An internal affairs investigation determined that Moreira violated department rules on performance of duty and neglect of duty by leaving a scheduled training assignment to attend an unauthorized meeting and by leaving work early without prior approval.

Synopsis as reported by the agency

“Officer Ricardo Moreira, a 9 year veteran was suspended for 30 days in 2020. An Internal Affairs Investigation determined that Officer Moreira violated Depart Rules. Specifically, Performance of Duty and Neglect of Duty for leaving a scheduled training assignment to attend an unauthorized meeting and for leaving work early without prior approval.”