— The recent termination of a Salem City police officer sparked a heated debate this week between members of the community who claim the officer is “a pillar” in the city, and officials who maintain that the officer engaged in a pattern of conduct unbecoming of the police force.

According to city officials, Officer John Colon was terminated from his position with the police department effective Monday, after more than a year of being held on suspension without pay.

Colon, who served as the D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) instructor for Salem, had been suspended since May 15, 2012 as a result of an undisclosed disciplinary matter, according city attorney Dave Puma.

His recent termination sparked an outpour of support from the community during a meeting of city council on Monday.

People from throughout the city and the surrounding areas packed the meeting to voice support for Colon, claiming that the city was wrong to fire him.

“Officer Colon is a staple in this community,” said resident Akmad Nichols. “Why isn’t this man back on his job?”

“He is a mentor in our community. It’s sad that he’s under such an attack,” added resident Roxanne Forman.

Colon began his employment at the Salem City Police Department in 2001 as a part-time officer, then spent time working as a part-time dispatcher and provisional officer through 2004, before becoming a full-time dispatcher in 2005.

In 2007 he became a full-time officer and began his work as the city’s D.A.R.E. instructor, working with children to educate them on the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse.

According to former city mayor Robert Davis, Colon was initially suspended from his job with the city following an incident at the Salem Manor, during which he allegedly engaged in disorderly conduct and behavior unbecoming of a police officer.

Davis said an allegation of drunken driving also surface against Colon sometime after that, during summer 2012, but that those charges were dismissed earlier this year.

As the mayor at the time, Davis said he placed Colon on suspension, but ordered him to be reinstated before he left office at the end of 2012.

Davis attended the council meeting on Monday in support of Colon.

John Colon

“I reinstated an officer. I was in charge. Who didn’t follow that?” Davis said.

While several others spoke up in favor of Colon — each testifying that he was a mentor to youth, a pillar in the community, and a good officer — city officials said the public did not have the whole story.

Mayor Charles Washington said legally the city could not divulge specific details surrounding a personnel matter, but assured the public that he was only trying to do what’s right for the city.

Colon was allegedly involved in “three separate incidents on three separate dates” which led the city to make the difficult decision to fire him, Washington explained.

With Colon as a personal friend and as someone well respected in the community, Washington said it was not an easy decision, and one that he did not take lightly. But since he was elected to make a change in the city, Washington said sometimes tough decisions must be made.

“It’s my responsibility to do what’s right for this city. If I don’t make the right choices, every decision I make after this will be questioned,” the mayor said. “No one is going to be looked at any different than anyone else... I don’t care how this city was run 10 years ago or three years ago, I will not run Salem City in the same way it has been over the past decades. That’s why we’re in the mess we’re in today.”

Washington said no one denied that Colon is good man and an important person to the city, but said that every person in Salem City must be held accountable for their actions if Salem is ever going to see a change.

“Everyone has to be held accountable for their actions and no one will be placed above anyone else,” the mayor said. “Although everyone is afforded a second chance and opportunity, sometimes even with a second chance you have to suffer the consequences of your initial actions.”

He added, “This is about doing what’s right for the city.”

Colon was receiving a salary of $65,176 prior to his termination.

Salem City is one of about 200 municipalities in the state which subscribe to the New Jersey Civil Service Commission system for hiring employees.

Colon has the option of appealing his termination to the CSC, if he chooses.

When reached by phone Friday, Colon declined to comment on his termination.