Laila Maher was a law student when she said she and a friend were roughed up by Nerbetski and another trooper during a traffic stop in 1996.

“He’s the one who held the gun to my head,” Maher said. “I will never forget him… ever.”

She said her most vivid memory is when she “looked in the mirror and saw Nerbetski (and another trooper) laughing hysterically.”

The lawsuit was settled years later, when the State of New Jersey paid out more than $775,000 but admitted to no wrongdoing.

“I personally have grave concerns about someone who has the capacity to do something like that,” Maher said.

APD Spokesperson Gilbert Gallegos told KOB 4 that Nerbetski’s connection to the lawsuit was evaluated during the hiring process. He added that APD consulted with the Department of Justice about the then-applicant.

“Our command staff did reach out and he was highly recommended when we talked to them about bringing him on board for this position,” Gallegos said.

Among the other things taken into account, Gallegos said, is the fact that Nerbetski never faced discipline in his career and that he continues to hold a top security clearance with the FBI.

With that recommendation, APD hired Nerbetski.

"As a result of news stories raising concerns about the civil lawsuit in 1996, APD is conducting additional due diligence to ascertain the facts of the underlying incident mentioned in the lawsuit," he said.

However, Nerbetski will not be hitting the streets as a sworn police officer. Instead, he has been tapped for a civilian position in heading up the Real Time Crime Center—focusing on using data to fight and prevent crime.

Gallegos said APD remains focused on earning and maintaining public trust, and emphasized that the department stands by the hire.

Nerbetski is set to report for work at APD on Oct. 29.