N.J. mayor ‘weaponized’ internal affairs against police chief, lawsuit says

A police chief suspended from his duties in a Middlesex County borough filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the mayor and other officials, alleging harassment, retaliation, and violations of his rights.
Philip Corbisiero, the police chief of Spotswood, claims in court papers that Mayor Jacqueline Palmer, who took office in January 2021, has a pattern of interfering in police department matters.
The complaint states Palmer’s administration “weaponized” internal affairs procedures, creating a work environment where certain officers were reportedly penalized or pressured based on Palmer’s personal views.
Palmer and the attorneys representing the borough did not immediately respond to requests for comment made by phone and email.
The complaint, filed in state Superior Court in Middlesex County, seeks monetary damages, reinstatement and an end to what Corbisiero claims is a hostile work environment stemming from Palmer’s alleged interference with police department operations.
Corbisiero has served in the Spotswood Police Department since 1994 and became chief in April 2022.
He was suspended with pay in March after he was accused of incompetence and insubordination. A judge later dismissed the charges, according to mycentraljersey.com.
Corbisiero is asking for relief under the New Jersey Conscientious Employee Protection Act and the state’s Civil Rights Act. The chief seeks compensatory damages, reimbursement of legal fees, and other financial relief, including emotional distress damages.
Although no exact amount is specified, Corbisiero’s legal team claims the harassment and retaliation have severely impacted his mental and professional well-being.
Corbisiero claims Palmer has sought access to department facilities, security systems, and personnel files and has attempted to control departmental policy and officer promotions.
The suit details Palmer’s involvement in daily department operations, allegedly demanding access to police vehicles, radio frequencies, and confidential disciplinary records, among other resources typically reserved for law enforcement personnel.
The complaint also describes incidents involving Palmer’s alleged attempts to place favored officers in higher-ranking roles while circumventing standard promotion protocols.
Corbisiero claims these actions violated his statutory authority as chief under New Jersey law and created a work atmosphere where officers feared repercussions from Palmer.
Alleging that his objections to these actions were met with further retaliation, Corbisiero states he was unlawfully suspended and that his job responsibilities were reallocated to other personnel, which he contends has undermined his position.
He also claims that Palmer’s administration has not acted on his prior complaints and whistleblowing reports about alleged misconduct and abuse of authority by borough officials.
Corbisiero previously filed a Notice of Tort Claim in January, but the borough did not provide him relief, according to his lawsuit.
Corbisiero’s lawsuit comes after a series of legal disputes involving Spotswood officials, including other employees who have reportedly filed complaints against the borough in recent years.
The Spotswood Police Department employs about 23 to 25 sworn officers and serves this borough of around 8,000 residents.
Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.