New Jersey Jury Holds Local Officials Accountable in Police Promotion Retaliation Case

Union County jurors found a New Jersey town guilty of penalizing a longtime police officer after internal politics influenced his career.

The case concerns Cranford Township police officer Timothy O’Brien since 1998. In late 2022, O’Brien was not promoted from sergeant to lieutenant despite having greater experience. A jury later ruled that the judgment was based on the person’s political ties to his wife’s politics, not merit.

O’Brien’s wife organized a fundraiser for a close friend running for mayor, according to the prosecution. The municipality promoted people, but leaders told the police chief, who admitted the issue. The jury ruled that O’Brien couldn’t be promoted because he was politically connected to the mayor’s opponent.

The town needed O’Brien’s formal presentation to top executives for promotion. He was fit after that. His job offer was withdrawn the following day. His lawsuit claimed township officials broke the law by acting randomly for politics.

According to O’Brien, he was reprimanded at work for making the complaint. When the litigation began, local officials sent him menacing SMS and the police chief sent him a disrespectful message, witnesses said. O’Brien also said being left out at work changed his leadership relationship. A long-term department promotion ban was also reported.

The jury found that township authorities, including the previous police chief, intentionally punished O’Brien for Constitutionally permitted political activities after three weeks of testimony. The jury concluded he shouldn’t have been punished with promotion. Mayor at the time was not held accountable.

The jury awarded O’Brien $17,800 for lost pay. His pay would have changed if he had been promoted when eligible. Another court will decide punitive damages.

O’Brien became a lieutenant late last year, before the civil trial. His lawyer said the case showed how municipal politicians’ revenge can impair police personnel’ job and personal lives.

Though saddened by the conviction, the former mayor respected the jury’s verdict. He stopped judging promotions after that and praised them for not holding him accountable. Last year’s retiring police chief was unavailable for comment, and township authorities did not respond to requests for a statement.

The ruling holds local government leaders accountable and protects public workers. It emphasizes competence and justice over politics and connections in public sector hiring. For many, the ruling reminded them that constitutional rights apply to all governments, even small towns.

Sources

New Jersey Superior Court, Union County
Official court records and jury verdict filings
Cranford Township municipal records