A private party attended by at least four Newark police officers Friday night went south in a disastrous way, authorities said, leading to the arrest of one officer who was later suspended along with three others.

The Newark Department of Public Safety did not disclose in a statement Sunday what drew on-duty authorities to the gathering, but said one civilian present was arrested for possessing a loaded handgun.

The officer who was arrested ultimately was released, police said. As of Sunday evening, authorities had yet to publicly identify that officer.

The city's statement did not specify the specific misconduct allegedly committed by the officers, noting only that the case was under investigation by the Essex County Prosecutor's Office and the police department's Office of Professional Standards.

In the statement, Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said the officers involved "have three years on the job and will be dealt with accordingly."

Police asked that anyone with information about the party call 1-877-NWK-TIPS (1-877-695-8477) or 1-877-NWK-GUNS (1-877-695-4867), submit anonymous tips via the department's website at www.newarkpd.org or provide information via the Newark Police Division smartphone app, available on iTunes and Google Play.

Thomas Moriarty may be reached at tmoriarty@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ThomasDMoriarty.

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