Vineland Police Chief Faces Third Attempt at Removal After State Orders Reinstatement

Despite repeated New Jersey Civil Service Commission rulings in his favor, Vineland continues its push to remove former Police Chief Rudy Beu from the department. Since joining the department in 1982 and becoming chief in 2017, Beu has faced several city disciplinary procedures, most of which have been reversed. However, a third set of charges might destroy his law enforcement career.

After ruling his 2020 suspension and demotion unreasonable, the Civil Service Commission reinstated Beu anew. There were no witnesses to Beu promising promotions in exchange for sexual favors, according to an Administrative Law Judge. After the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office determined the claims false, the commission dismissed the city’s case and restored Beu’s pay, benefits, and seniority.

Vineland officials have refused to reinstate him, citing additional disciplinary allegations for internal affairs infractions. The city said the county prosecutor’s office found record-keeping issues and improper internal investigative supervision under Beu. Beu violated 19 state internal affairs policies, including negligence of duty and failure to reprimand untruthful officers, according to a retired Superior Court judge. The city contends these new offenses are independent from those previously dismissed, while Beu’s counsel claims they are recycled claims to support a campaign against him.

The city and taxpayers have paid a lot for the lawsuit. Colin Bell, Beu’s attorney, has frequently slammed Vineland for smearing his client rather than letting him return to service. He claims the disagreement has tarnished Beu’s 40-year career. Beu has been awarded back pay and attorney’s costs from previous instances, but payments are still outstanding. The city has appealed past commission findings and claims that police department integrity outweighs legal costs.

Beu’s tenure controversy comes with Vineland’s police leadership crisis. Pedro Casiano briefly succeeded as head after Beu’s ouster, but resigned last year for domestic abuse. Steven Triantos became the city’s police chief in May, taking over a department still tumultuous after years of court disputes.

With a third disciplinary case pending, Beu’s department future is questionable. The Civil Service Commission has twice decided in his favor, but the city is still determined to remove him permanently, setting the stage for another lengthy legal battle that highlights New Jersey’s police discipline issues.

Sources

Civil Service Commission rulings
Statements from attorneys representing Rudy Beu and the City of Vineland
Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office findings
Administrative Law Judge Catherine A. Tuohy’s decision