FIRST REPORT
Chief Little is pictured here on the left
Toms River Police Chief Mitchell Little has just slammed the Township of Toms River with a civil lawsuit over a 2-day suspension he recently received while vehemently fighting Mayor Daniel Rodrick's efforts to cut police captain positions, FAA News has learned.
As previously reported here on FAA News, as part of his broad campaign of cutting costs, earlier this year Mayor Rodrick announced that he will cut two police captain positions - the controversial move earned him national media attention.
Chief Little was extremely vocal in protesting the initiative.
On March 25, 2024 - thick in the midst of protesting the proposed cuts - Mayor Rodrick served Chief Little with notice of a 2-day suspension. (Of course, the suspension notice is cloaked with other "important issues of concern" so as to look as if it is unrelated to protesting against Rodrick.)
The suspension was to be taken on April 16 and 17.
Little served the suspension as ordered.
Represented by Collingswood Attorney Timothy J.P. Quinlan Esq., Little has just filed a complaint in New Jersey Superior Court in Ocean County alleging that the suspension notice was invalid as it did not include any hearing date as statutorily required.
State law provides that suspension notices include a date for a hearing which is to be held within 30 days of the notice date. However, the notice did not provide any hearing date.
Additionally, more than 30 days have elapsed since the March 25 suspension notice date and no hearing has yet been set.
Little has been employed in the police department for 38 years and has served as chief for 10 years.
Town officials have not yet responded to the just filed complaint which is pending before Assignment Judge Francis Hodgson.
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1 comment:
Mayor Rodrick sure is rocking the boat!
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