Asbury Park Press

Killed. Beaten. Stalked. More than 200 citizens across New Jersey have been victimized in recent years by out-of-control rogue cops. In many cases, the cops kept their jobs, even got promoted — while tens of millions of your tax dollars kept the abuses quiet. Until now.

Reporters from the Asbury Park Press spent two years uncovering the scores of secret agreements from hundreds of towns across New Jersey. They faced countless stonewalls and public records fights, and a boycott threat from police. One town passed a resolution to denounce the series.

However, within weeks, the state attorney general enacted two key reforms recommended by the Press.

Under the reforms, bad cops will have their actions reviewed by the top county prosecutors, and all cops will face random drug testing. Lawmakers in both parties have also pledged reform laws.

Press reporters examined more than 30,000 pages of legal and public documents; surveyed all 466 police agencies about their drug-testing policies; and conducted interviews with killer cops, police chiefs and officers, elected officials, psychologists and police experts.

Videos and story links are posted below:

Part 1: Millions paid in secret settlements to keep bad cops on the street and the public in danger

The Asbury Park Press identified tens of millions of taxpayer dollars paid to hush allegations of police abuse. That sum totals more than $50 million as of June, accounting for at least 24 deaths and 137 injuries.

One innocent man, Miguel Feliz, was beaten after a car crash by police officers who included MD Khan, known to his department to have a history of violence. Feliz describes the encounter in the video below.

Exclusive: Inside the mind of killer cop Philip Seidle

Former Neptune police sergeant Philip Seidle fatally shot his ex-wife in broad daylight in public in front of their 7-year-old daughter. The Press investigation and exclusive interview with Seidle showed how his department knew of his stress and emotional troubles years before the killing. The department even took his weapon away — only to give it back to him months before the shooting. Read the full story on Seidle and watch the video below to hear him explain himself:

Investigation: What killed Timothy Harden during police restraint?

Timothy Harden became unresponsive during police restraint. His death was kept secret until the Press investigated. His official cause of death was disputed by two doctors who examined him and three independent experts who reviewed documents at the request of the Press.

Harden’s last moments were caught on police dash camera recordings shown in the video below.

Part 2: Inside 'death by cop'

A hazy line divides police brutality and proper use of force. The settlements of 19 wrongful death lawsuits in the past 10 years cost taxpayers $10.8 million.

The Press interviewed an officer who described multiple cops piling on top of Keith Briscoe during an attempt to arrest him. Briscoe died. His death was ruled a homicide by “positional asphyxia,” the officer left the department and the town settled a lawsuit filed by Briscoe’s family for $2.2 million.

Stanley King, the attorney for Briscoe’s family, takes issue in the video below with the lack of information released to the public on incidents of police misconduct.

Part 3: A look at sexual abuse by cops

The nature of police work allows bad cops to sexually abuse citizens. The Asbury Park Press identified seven cases of alleged sexual misconduct or crimes by officers, including towns that collectively paid $1.4 million to settle lawsuits.

One officer was promoted after “grooming” a 17-year-old girl for sex.

An Asbury Park officer thought he could avoid scrutiny for his criminal stalking of a woman by telling his department he was trying to have sex with her. His case is detailed in the video below.

Part 4: High cost of pushing out honest cops

Officers who dare to speak out against bad cops can find themselves harassed by their peers. Whistleblowers file lawsuits and taxpayers unknowingly pick up the bill for secret settlements. After the Press revealed $1.1 million in settlements in Tinton Falls, voters tossed out the mayor — who served as police chief at the time of the allegations.

Rich Rivera, a West New York police whistleblower, told the Press in the video below how he outed bad cops in his department.

Part 5: Money and silence push bad cops along

Bad cops are protected by towns that agree to obscure discipline from the cop’s future employers. The Press found 68 instances since 2010 in which law enforcement officers with disciplinary issues were allowed to resign, often with towns sworn to secrecy.

Three moved on to continue their careers in law enforcement.

New Jersey is one of just six states that doesn’t ban bad cops — Thomas Mallon, an attorney who frequently pursues lawsuits against police departments, described in the video below how a toxic culture can persist in departments.

Part 6: One million NJ residents were at risk because more than 100 departments lacked random drug testing

Underscoring a lack of statewide standards, the Press found more than 100 police departments didn’t have a policy for random drug testing.

A Deal Police Captain was killed after he crashed his car while drunk and high. At the time his department didn’t randomly drug test.

Results of the Press' survey that revealed lacking drug testing policies are described in the video below.

Part 7: How bad cops are built

Crooked police culture leads to bad cops.

New Jersey’s internal affairs system is so broken, one attorney told the Press he advises clients not to bother filing a complaint. The Press identified one officer derided by a federal judge as “short-fused” and “volatile” who was the subject of at least one internal affairs investigation handled by his uncle.

The Press spoke to a public safety director who reformed Bloomfield police department after two cops there went to prison. Samuel DeMaio described in the video below how good cops are done a disservice by lacking supervision.

Solutions, impact and results

Five proposals for fixing the system

Public policy forum sponsored by the Press

NJ combats rogue cops with The Shield recommendations

Hidden Misconduct: NJ can't keep track of troubled cops

The Asbury Park Press wants to hear from you. What are your thoughts on the series? What are your ideas for fixing the system? What have your experiences been with New Jersey law enforcement, for better or for worse? Share it on your preferred social network with the hashtag #theShield.

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THE TEAM

Asbury Park Press reporters dug into more than 30,000 public records for two years to produce “Protecting The Shield.” These same journalists report daily as watchdogs in the public interest: examining tax spending, exposing wrongdoing, highlighting advances and often inspiring change that makes New Jersey a better place to live. Follow their work at APP.com and support local journalism today.

Click a team member’s name to view their full profile of work.

ANDREW FORD reporter

Andrew Ford is an investigative reporter for the Asbury Park Press, he has reported on policing issues and breaking news for about six years. Ford joined the Asbury Park Press in 2014. He has won several state press association awards and won a New York City Deadline Club award for his narrative, the "Long Fall" series.

KALA KACHMAR reporter

Kala Kachmar has been a reporter at the Asbury Park Press since 2014. She has extensive experience in state and local government reporting in multiple states. She's also worked on a variety of investigations, including systemic problems with New Jersey's municipal courts, veterans’ healthcare system abuses and police misconduct.

KEN SERRANO reporter

Ken Serrano has been a reporter at the Asbury Park Press since 2011. He has done a variety of investigative work, including projects on drug trafficking and the opioid epidemic.

Alex N. Gecan has been a reporter for the Asbury Park Press since 2016. He covers breaking news, crime and criminal justice.

SUSANNE CERVENKA reporter

Susanne Cervenka has been a reporter at the Asbury Park Press since 2013. She has reported on local and state government for more than 15 years, including deep dives into property taxes, pensions and policing.

PAUL D'AMBROSIO project editor

Paul D’Ambrosio is the investigations director for the Asbury Park Press. He has written extensively about New Jersey corruption and tax issues and has won more than two-dozen national awards including the prestigious Selden Ring and Farfel prizes. He and his team were finalists for the 2010 Pulitzer Prize Gold Medal for Public Service.

Digital development, graphics and design by Felecia Wellington Radel