Major discipline · 2025[1]
Suspended 60 days- Rank as reported
- SCPO
- Sustained charge(s)
- 6. a Public Employee. 12. . HR: 19.7 C12 a Public Employee. 2. . 6. a Public Employee. HR: 19.7 E1 Violation of a rule, regulation, policy, procedure, order, statute or administrative decision. 8. a Public Employee. 12. . 19.7 C.16: Possession of contraband on State Property. ED:01.32 Prohibited Social Media and Public Communications. NJLPS Operating Procedure 1-2016: Use of Social Media for Official Purposes. 2. . 6. a Public Employee. 12. . 11H-19.7 Custody Discipline Policy. D4 Failure or delay in carrying out an order which would not result in a danger to persons or property.
- Separated while IA pending
- No
Plain-language summary (this site, from the cited record only)
SCPO Lopez (Valentin) received a 60-day suspension from the Youth Justice Commission. The record found that she was insubordinate when she questioned a lawful directive at line-up and challenged a sergeant's authority in front of her peers, refused to leave an area after being dismissed, and had to be physically ushered out. The report also substantiated that she brought a cell phone onto grounds, which is considered contraband, and posted opinionated videos in uniform, some while on duty, to TikTok.
Synopsis as reported by the agency
SCPO Lopez (Valentin) stated "I have PTSD and if I go back, I will hurt somebody", during a phone conversation in which she was informed that she was to return to work. SCPO Lopez (Valentin) was deemed to be insubordinate when she questioned a lawful directive given to all officers during line-up. SCPO Lopez (Valentin) challenged the authority of a YJC Correctional Police Sergeant in front of her peers, stating, "I forgot. A gold badge means you can abuse power and do what you want". Per both written and video accounts, SCPO Lopez (Valentin) became increasingly agitated. SCPO Lopez (Valentin) refused to leave the area after being dismissed and needed to be physically ushered from the area by another officer. When summoned to Center Control by the Shift Commander, SCPO Lopez (Valentin) yelled, questioned, and stormed out of the area as the Shift Commader attempted to counsel her and correct the narrative report. SCPO Lopez (Valentin) violated policy by bringing a cell phone on grounds which is considered contraband. SCPO Lopez (Valentin) posted numerous opinionated videos while in uniform, and in some instances while on duty, to the TikTok social media platform. The videos were perceived by a public complainant as degrading, derogatory, and unethical, and were posted without permission of the NJ Youth Juvenile Justice Commission and without a disclaimer to the same as required by the Internal Commission policy and policy of the NJ Attorney General.