Termination Upheld For Police Officer After String Of Misconduct Investigations

Robert Clark, a former police officer with the Monroe Township Police Department (MPD) in New Jersey, was terminated following five internal affairs investigations into his misconduct between 2015 and 2017.
The first investigation stemmed from allegations that Clark had purchased prescription drugs, specifically oxycontin, during a trip with another officer. Witnesses testified that Clark had also declared his fiancée, S.S., “off limits” for arrest despite her having outstanding warrants, leveraging his position to shield her. Facebook messages between Clark and S.S.’s sister further implicated him in soliciting Percocet, which he later dismissed as a joke.

The second investigation focused on Clark’s interference in a traffic stop involving S.S., who was pulled over for driving with a suspended license. Clark arrived at the scene without activating his police lights and requested “professional courtesy” from the responding officer to avoid arresting S.S.. Dashcam and body camera footage corroborated the officer’s account, though Clark claimed he was merely providing backup. A review of Clark’s use of law enforcement databases revealed he had repeatedly accessed S.S.’s records for personal reasons, violating MPD policy.

A third investigation was triggered by Clark’s positive drug test for oxymorphone, consistent with Percocet use. Clark claimed he had permission to switch from Vicodin to Percocet after a tooth extraction, but medical staff from both his current and former doctors’ offices testified that no such approval was given. The investigator concluded Clark had lied during the internal affairs interview, leading to additional charges. While on administrative leave, Clark was involved in a domestic dispute in another town, where witnesses reported he dis played a badge and identified himself as an officer despite being suspended. Officers also found an unloaded firearm in his vehicle, which he was not permitted to possess during his suspension.

The final investigation involved Clark’s alleged theft of appliances, which included a refrigerator, from his rental property. His landlord reported missing items, and a Craigslist ad featuring the stolen refrigerator listed Clark’s name and phone number. Clark denied involvement, claiming the appliances were broken and given away with the landlord’s permission, but he provided no evidence to support this.

The ALJ of the Civil Service Commission sustained most of the charges against Clark, finding his testimony inconsistent and lacking credibility. The Commission upheld the ALJ’s decision, emphasizing the egregious nature of Clark’s actions, which included “a complete lack of judgment, personal integrity, and dependability”.

On appeal, the Superior Court of New Jersey, Appellate Division, affirmed the Commission’s decision. The Court deferred to the ALJ’s credibility determinations, noting the “copious factual record” of Clark’s misconduct. While Clark argued his termination violated principles of progressive discipline given his lack of prior infractions, the Court rejected this, stating that some offenses were so severe they warranted immediate dismissal. Clark’s actions, including drug solicitation, dishonesty, and misuse of his position, were “so serious that removal was appropriate. Clark’s termination from the MPD is not shocking to our sense of fairness,” the Court held.

In re Clark, 2025 N.J. Super. Unpub. LEXIS 611* (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2025).