2025 Police Sergeant Promotional Exam Integrity
To the Custodian of Records, New Jersey Civil Service Commission:
Pursuant to the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq., I hereby request access to the following government records:
All documents, communications, complaints, reports, summaries, or other written materials (including but not limited to emails, internal memoranda, or external correspondence) concerning allegations, investigations, or reports of cheating, misconduct, unauthorized possession or use of electronic devices, or test content leaks in connection with the administration of the March 1, 2025 Police Sergeant Promotional Examination administered by the the New Jersey Civil Service Commission.
This request specifically includes, but is not limited to:
• Candidate or proctor complaints about potential cheating;
• Incident reports or summaries from test centers;
• Any internal or external correspondence regarding possible breaches of examination security;
• Preliminary or final findings generated by or for the Commission concerning examination integrity;
• Any documentation describing the nature, scope, or credibility of allegations related to electronic device use or test material exposure.
This request expressly includes all such records, regardless of who submitted the allegation or by what means (e.g., anonymous complaints, verbal reports memorialized in writing, emails from candidates or staff, or proctor incident documentation). No filtering by specific sender, recipient, or individual names should be applied.
The time period for this request is March 1, 2025 (the date of the examination) through the present. If additional records are generated after the initial response, I request notification of their availability.
If a formal investigation is ongoing, I request that responsive records be produced promptly upon the conclusion of the investigative fact-finding process, but prior to the Commission issuing any final determinations, remedies, or certification decisions regarding the examination or the resulting eligibility list(s). If any records are temporarily exempt under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-3, please provide a timeline for their availability and produce all non-exempt records immediately. The timing of disclosure is critical to preserving the public’s right to seek review, contest findings, or pursue appropriate remedies under administrative and civil service law.
Additional Information for Compliance with N.J.S.A. 47:1A-6(f):
This request is being submitted electronically and contains all information required under OPRA.
I am not required to complete the agency’s official form, nor to submit this request via any specific software.
I have not been convicted of any indictable offense under the laws of New Jersey, any other state, or the United States.
I am not requesting these records for commercial use.
I am not requesting these records for use in a legal proceeding.
If any portion of the records is exempt from disclosure, please identify the specific legal basis for each redaction or withholding, as required by N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(g).
Please provide the requested records in electronic format via email (attachment) per N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(b).
I expect a response within seven business days, as required by N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(i), or an explanation for any delay.
Thank you for your attention to this request and your compliance with the requirements of the Open Public Records Act.
Respectfully,
Sergeant Exam Integrity Coalition
Dear Sergeant Exam Integrity Coalition:
The Civil Service Commission (Commission) acknowledges receipt of your Open Public Records Act (OPRA) request received on Thursday May 29, 2025.
You made requests for the following records:
“Pursuant to the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq., I hereby request access to the following government records:
All documents, communications, complaints, reports, summaries, or other written materials (including but not limited to emails, internal memoranda, or external correspondence) concerning allegations, investigations, or reports of cheating, misconduct, unauthorized possession or use of electronic devices, or test content leaks in connection with the administration of the March 1, 2025 Police Sergeant Promotional Examination administered by the the New Jersey Civil Service Commission.
This request specifically includes, but is not limited to:
• Candidate or proctor complaints about potential cheating; • Incident reports or summaries from test centers; • Any internal or external correspondence regarding possible breaches of examination security; • Preliminary or final findings generated by or for the Commission concerning examination integrity; • Any documentation describing the nature, scope, or credibility of allegations related to electronic device use or test material exposure.
This request expressly includes all such records, regardless of who submitted the allegation or by what means (e.g., anonymous complaints, verbal reports memorialized in writing, emails from candidates or staff, or proctor incident documentation). No filtering by specific sender, recipient, or individual names should be applied.
The time period for this request is March 1, 2025 (the date of the examination) through the present. If additional records are generated after the initial response, I request notification of their availability.
If a formal investigation is ongoing, I request that responsive records be produced promptly upon the conclusion of the investigative fact-finding process, but prior to the Commission issuing any final determinations, remedies, or certification decisions regarding the examination or the resulting eligibility list(s). If any records are temporarily exempt under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-3, please provide a timeline for their availability and produce all non-exempt records immediately. The timing of disclosure is critical to preserving the public’s right to seek review, contest findings, or pursue appropriate remedies under administrative and civil service law.
Additional Information for Compliance with N.J.S.A. 47:1A-6(f):
This request is being submitted electronically and contains all information required under OPRA.
I am not required to complete the agency’s official form, nor to submit this request via any specific software.
I have not been convicted of any indictable offense under the laws of New Jersey, any other state, or the United States.
I am not requesting these records for commercial use.
I am not requesting these records for use in a legal proceeding.
If any portion of the records is exempt from disclosure, please identify the specific legal basis for each redaction or withholding, as required by N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(g).
Please provide the requested records in electronic format via email (attachment) per N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(b).
I expect a response within seven business days, as required by N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(i), or an explanation for any delay.
Thank you for your attention to this request and your compliance with the requirements of the Open Public Records Act.
Respectfully,
Sergeant Exam Integrity Coalition.”
Please be informed that the Commission requires additional time to thoroughly review and respond to your request. Therefore, we are requesting an extension of seven business days, setting the new deadline for Wednesday, June 18, 2025.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we continue to process your request.
The OPRA Office
NJ Civil Service Commission
To the Sergeant Exam Integrity Coalition,
On May 29, 2025, pursuant to the Open Public Records Act (OPRA), N.J.S.A.
47:1A-1 et seq., you submitted an OPRA request to the Civil Service
Commission for:
All documents, communications, complaints, reports, summaries, or other
written materials (including but not limited to emails, internal
memoranda, or external correspondence) concerning allegations,
investigations, or reports of cheating, misconduct, unauthorized
possession or use of electronic devices, or test content leaks in
connection with the administration of the March 1, 2025 Police Sergeant
Promotional Examination administered by the [] New Jersey Civil Service
Commission.
This request specifically includes, but is not limited to:
• Candidate or proctor complaints about potential cheating;
• Incident reports or summaries from test centers;
• Any internal or external correspondence regarding possible breaches of
examination security;
• Preliminary or final findings generated by or for the Commission
concerning examination integrity; [and]
• Any documentation describing the nature, scope, or credibility of
allegations related to electronic device use or test material
exposure.
Your request further stated:
This request expressly includes all such records, regardless of who
submitted the allegation or by what means (e.g., anonymous complaints,
verbal reports memorialized in writing, emails from candidates or staff,
or proctor incident documentation). No filtering by specific sender,
recipient, or individual names should be applied.
The time period for this request is March 1, 2025 (the date of the
examination) through the present. If additional records are generated
after the initial response, I request notification of their availability.
If a formal investigation is ongoing, I request that responsive records be
produced promptly upon the conclusion of the investigative fact-finding
process, but prior to the Commission issuing any final determinations,
remedies, or certification decisions regarding the examination or the
resulting eligibility list(s). If any records are temporarily exempt under
N.J.S.A. 47:1A-3, please provide a timeline for their availability and
produce all non-exempt records immediately.
Please be advised your request as written is overbroad and improper. Under
OPRA, a "requestor must identify the records sought with specificity. The
request may not be a broad, generic description of documents that requires
the custodian to search the agency's files and 'analyze, compile, and
collate' the requested information." Bart v. Passaic Cnty. Pub. Housing
Agency, 406 N.J. Super. 445, 451 (App. Div. 2009) (citations omitted); see
also Bent v. Twp. of Stafford Police Dep't, 381 N.J. Super. 30 (App. Div.
2005). OPRA also does not "authorize a party to make a blanket request for
every document a public agency has on file," and "a proper request under
OPRA must identify with reasonable clarity those documents that are
desired, and a party cannot satisfy this requirement by simply requesting
all of an agency's documents." Id. at 37. More specifically, OPRA was not
created to allow "open-ended searches of an agency's files" and "is not
intended as a research tool litigants may use to force government
officials to identify and siphon useful information[,]" MAG Entertainment,
LLC v. Div. of Alcohol Beverage Control, 375 N.J. Super. 534, 546-49 (App.
Div. 2005). Your request as written seeks any and all records the
Commission may have on file pertaining to the administration of the
identified March 1, 2025 Police Sergeant examination. Thus, your request
is overbroad and improper.
Further, your request seeking communications is likewise overbroad.
Requests for communications must “identify a specific job title or
accounts to be searched, a specific subject matter, and [be] confined to a
reasonable time period[.]” N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(g); see Burke v. Brandes, 429
N.J. Super. 169, 176-78 (App. Div. 2012). Your request fails to identify
the specific job title or accounts to be searched, and is thus overbroad
and improper.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent your request seeks records
and communications pertaining to any investigation in progress by the
Commission, please be advised we cannot confirm or deny the existence of
records responsive to your request. See N. Jersey Media Grp. Inc. v.
Bergen Cty. Prosecutor’s Office, 447 N.J. Super. 182, 204 (App. Div.
2016). Finally, to the extent records of any ongoing investigation exist,
such records are exempt pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-3(a).
Accordingly, your request is denied.
The OPRA Office
NJ Civil Service Commission
Dear OPRA Office:
In response to your June 18, 2025 statement denying our OPRA request submitted on May 29, 2025. We respectfully disagree with the characterization that our request was overbroad or improper, but in the interest of cooperation and clarity, we are now submitting a revised request that more precisely describes the specific documents sought.
We also note that under Burnett v. County of Bergen, 198 N.J. 408, 422–23 (2009), courts have made clear that OPRA is to be construed in favor of access, and custodians are obligated to work with requestors in narrowing any ambiguities. In this spirit, we now restate our request as follows:
Specific OPRA Request:
Pursuant to the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq., we hereby request access to the following specific government records, generated or received between March 1, 2025 and May 29, 2025:
1. All written candidate- or proctor-submitted complaint forms or reports (including incident reports or test-day forms) describing suspected cheating, possession of unauthorized materials (such as electronic devices), or potential content exposure during the March 1, 2025 Police Sergeant Promotional Examination.
2. Any written summaries or logs prepared by test site coordinators or supervisors documenting incidents of exam-day misconduct or irregularities at any test center used on March 1, 2025.
3. Any internal memoranda, summaries, or preliminary findings generated by Civil Service Commission staff between March 1 and May 29, 2025, specifically discussing the credibility or substance of misconduct allegations related to that exam.
Request Clarifications:
* This request is confined to records created or received by personnel within the Civil Service Commission’s:
* (1) Division of Test Development, Analytics, and Administration, and
* (2) Division of Appeals and Regulatory Affairs of the 2025 Police Sergeant Examination between March 1, 2025 and May 29, 2025.
* This request does NOT seek all agency documents or all emails. It seeks only formal complaints, incident reports, or written documentation of security-related incidents concerning the March 1 exam.
* This NOT a request for records about general exam procedures or candidate eligibility, only documents that specifically reference suspected misconduct, cheating, or security breaches related to the March 1, 2025 Police Sergeant Promotional Exam.
Legal Clarification Regarding Overbreadth:
While the Civil Service Commission’s response cites MAG Entertainment, Bent, and Bart, our revised request is now consistent with decisions such as Carter v. Franklin Fire Dist. No. 3, GRC Complaint No. 2014-140, where OPRA permitted access to discrete categories of complaint forms and incident logs, so long as they were limited by date, subject matter, and document type.
Further Specifications:
* Timeframe: March 1, 2025 through May 29, 2025
* Specific in subject: Allegations of misconduct as noted above or test content exposure.
* Confined in scope: Limited to complaints, reports, and summaries within CSC testing personnel.
* Targeted Departments:
* (1) Division of Test Development, Analytics, and Administration, and
* (2) Division of Appeals and Regulatory Affairs
Nature of Search:
* Free of keyword “fishing” or blanket email searches.
* Does not request “all records” or open-ended communications.
* Does not seek agency-wide file reviews or undefined categories.
Exemptions & Records in Ongoing Investigations:
We understand that if an investigation is ongoing, records may be temporarily exempt under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-3(a). However, that exemption applies only to records that pertain directly to ongoing investigations, not to all records generally relating to the exam. Complaint forms, test center incident logs, or initial summaries prepared prior to any formal investigative determination are not categorically exempt and should be disclosed.
To the extent any records are withheld under this or any other exemption, we respectfully request that the Commission:
* Identify the specific records being withheld and the statutory basis for their exemption, as required by N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(g);
* Provide a reasonable estimated date of availability for any materials withheld under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-3(a).
Production of Records:
We request production of all responsive, non-exempt records in electronic format via email (attachment), in accordance with N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(b).
We respectfully request a response within seven business days of this revised submission, as required by law. Thank you for your attention to this matter and your cooperation with the Open Public Records Act.
Respectfully,
Sergeant Exam Integrity Coalition
Dear Sergeant Exam Integrity Coalition:
The Civil Service Commission (Commission) acknowledges receipt of your Open Public Records Act (OPRA) request (C236847) received on Monday, June 23, 2025.
You made requests for the following records:
“In response to your June 18, 2025 statement denying our OPRA request submitted on May 29, 2025. We respectfully disagree with the characterization that our request was overbroad or improper, but in the interest of cooperation and clarity, we are now submitting a revised request that more precisely describes the specific documents sought.
We also note that under Burnett v. County of Bergen, 198 N.J. 408, 422–23 (2009), courts have made clear that OPRA is to be construed in favor of access, and custodians are obligated to work with requestors in narrowing any ambiguities. In this spirit, we now restate our request as follows:
Specific OPRA Request:
Pursuant to the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq., we hereby request access to the following specific government records, generated or received between March 1, 2025 and May 29, 2025:
1. All written candidate- or proctor-submitted complaint forms or reports (including incident reports or test-day forms) describing suspected cheating, possession of unauthorized materials (such as electronic devices), or potential content exposure during the March 1, 2025 Police Sergeant Promotional Examination.
2. Any written summaries or logs prepared by test site coordinators or supervisors documenting incidents of exam-day misconduct or irregularities at any test center used on March 1, 2025.
3. Any internal memoranda, summaries, or preliminary findings generated by Civil Service Commission staff between March 1 and May 29, 2025, specifically discussing the credibility or substance of misconduct allegations related to that exam.
Request Clarifications:
* This request is confined to records created or received by personnel within the Civil Service Commission’s:
* (1) Division of Test Development, Analytics, and Administration, and
* (2) Division of Appeals and Regulatory Affairs of the 2025 Police Sergeant Examination between March 1, 2025 and May 29, 2025.
* This request does NOT seek all agency documents or all emails. It seeks only formal complaints, incident reports, or written documentation of security-related incidents concerning the March 1 exam.
* This NOT a request for records about general exam procedures or candidate eligibility, only documents that specifically reference suspected misconduct, cheating, or security breaches related to the March 1, 2025 Police Sergeant Promotional Exam.
Legal Clarification Regarding Overbreadth:
While the Civil Service Commission’s response cites MAG Entertainment, Bent, and Bart, our revised request is now consistent with decisions such as Carter v. Franklin Fire Dist. No. 3, GRC Complaint No. 2014-140, where OPRA permitted access to discrete categories of complaint forms and incident logs, so long as they were limited by date, subject matter, and document type.
Further Specifications:
* Timeframe: March 1, 2025 through May 29, 2025
* Specific in subject: Allegations of misconduct as noted above or test content exposure.
* Confined in scope: Limited to complaints, reports, and summaries within CSC testing personnel.
* Targeted Departments:
* (1) Division of Test Development, Analytics, and Administration, and
* (2) Division of Appeals and Regulatory Affairs
Nature of Search:
* Free of keyword “fishing” or blanket email searches.
* Does not request “all records” or open-ended communications.
* Does not seek agency-wide file reviews or undefined categories.
Exemptions & Records in Ongoing Investigations:
We understand that if an investigation is ongoing, records may be temporarily exempt under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-3(a). However, that exemption applies only to records that pertain directly to ongoing investigations, not to all records generally relating to the exam. Complaint forms, test center incident logs, or initial summaries prepared prior to any formal investigative determination are not categorically exempt and should be disclosed.
To the extent any records are withheld under this or any other exemption, we respectfully request that the Commission:
* Identify the specific records being withheld and the statutory basis for their exemption, as required by N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(g);
* Provide a reasonable estimated date of availability for any materials withheld under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-3(a).
Production of Records:
We request production of all responsive, non-exempt records in electronic format via email (attachment), in accordance with N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(b).
We respectfully request a response within seven business days of this revised submission, as required by law. Thank you for your attention to this matter and your cooperation with the Open Public Records Act.”
Please be informed that the Commission requires additional time to thoroughly review and respond to your request. Therefore, we are requesting an extension of seven business days, setting the new deadline for Monday, July 14, 2025.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we continue to process your request.
The OPRA Office
NJ Civil Service Commission
Dear Sergeant Exam Integrity Coalition:
The Civil Service Commission (Commission) acknowledges receipt of your
Open Public Records Act (OPRA) request (C236847) received on Monday, June
23, 2025.
You made requests for the following records:
“In response to your June 18, 2025 statement denying our OPRA request
submitted on May 29, 2025. We respectfully disagree with the
characterization that our request was overbroad or improper, but in the
interest of cooperation and clarity, we are now submitting a revised
request that more precisely describes the specific documents sought.
We also note that under Burnett v. County of Bergen, 198 N.J. 408, 422–23
(2009), courts have made clear that OPRA is to be construed in favor of
access, and custodians are obligated to work with requestors in narrowing
any ambiguities. In this spirit, we now restate our request as follows:
Specific OPRA Request:
Pursuant to the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), N.J.S.A.
47:1A-1 et seq., we hereby request access to the following specific
government records, generated or received between March 1, 2025 and May
29, 2025:
1. All written candidate- or proctor-submitted complaint forms
or reports (including incident reports or test-day forms) describing
suspected cheating, possession of unauthorized materials (such as
electronic devices), or potential content exposure during the March 1,
2025 Police Sergeant Promotional Examination.
2. Any written summaries or logs prepared by test site
coordinators or supervisors documenting incidents of exam-day misconduct
or irregularities at any test center used on March 1, 2025.
3. Any internal memoranda, summaries, or preliminary findings
generated by Civil Service Commission staff between March 1 and May 29,
2025, specifically discussing the credibility or substance of misconduct
allegations related to that exam.
Request Clarifications:
* This request is confined to records created or received by personnel
within the Civil Service Commission’s:
* (1) Division of Test Development, Analytics, and Administration, and
* (2) Division of Appeals and Regulatory Affairs of the 2025 Police
Sergeant Examination between March 1, 2025 and May 29, 2025.
* This request does NOT seek all agency documents or all emails. It seeks
only formal complaints, incident reports, or written documentation of
security-related incidents concerning the March 1 exam.
* This NOT a request for records about general exam procedures or
candidate eligibility, only documents that specifically reference
suspected misconduct, cheating, or security breaches related to the March
1, 2025 Police Sergeant Promotional Exam.
Legal Clarification Regarding Overbreadth:
While the Civil Service Commission’s response cites MAG Entertainment,
Bent, and Bart, our revised request is now consistent with decisions such
as Carter v. Franklin Fire Dist. No. 3, GRC Complaint No. 2014-140, where
OPRA permitted access to discrete categories of complaint forms and
incident logs, so long as they were limited by date, subject matter, and
document type.
Further Specifications:
* Timeframe: March 1, 2025 through May 29, 2025
* Specific in subject: Allegations of misconduct as noted above or test
content exposure.
* Confined in scope: Limited to complaints, reports, and summaries within
CSC testing personnel.
* Targeted Departments:
* (1) Division of Test Development, Analytics, and Administration, and
* (2) Division of Appeals and Regulatory Affairs
Nature of Search:
* Free of keyword “fishing” or blanket email searches.
* Does not request “all records” or open-ended communications.
* Does not seek agency-wide file reviews or undefined categories.
Exemptions & Records in Ongoing Investigations:
We understand that if an investigation is ongoing, records may be
temporarily exempt under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-3(a). However, that exemption
applies only to records that pertain directly to ongoing investigations,
not to all records generally relating to the exam. Complaint forms, test
center incident logs, or initial summaries prepared prior to any formal
investigative determination are not categorically exempt and should be
disclosed.
To the extent any records are withheld under this or any other exemption,
we respectfully request that the Commission:
* Identify the specific records being withheld and the statutory basis for
their exemption, as required by N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(g);
* Provide a reasonable estimated date of availability for any materials
withheld under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-3(a).
Production of Records:
We request production of all responsive, non-exempt records in electronic
format via email (attachment), in accordance with N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(b).
We respectfully request a response within seven business days of this
revised submission, as required by law. Thank you for your attention to
this matter and your cooperation with the Open Public Records Act.”
Please be informed that the Commission requires additional time to
thoroughly review and respond to your request. Therefore, we are
requesting another extension of seven business days, setting the new
deadline for Wednesday, July 23, 2025.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we continue to process
your request.
The OPRA Office
NJ Civil Service Commission
Dear Sergeant Exam Integrity Coalition:
The Civil Service Commission (Commission) acknowledges receipt of your Open Public Records Act (OPRA) request (C236847) received on Monday, June 23, 2025.
You made requests for the following records:
"In response to your June 18, 2025 statement denying our OPRA request submitted on May 29, 2025. We respectfully disagree with the characterization that our request was overbroad or improper, but in the interest of cooperation and clarity, we are now submitting a revised request that more precisely describes the specific documents sought.
We also note that under Burnett v. County of Bergen, 198 N.J. 408, 422-23 (2009), courts have made clear that OPRA is to be construed in favor of access, and custodians are obligated to work with requestors in narrowing any ambiguities. In this spirit, we now restate our request as follows:
Specific OPRA Request:
Pursuant to the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq., we hereby request access to the following specific government records, generated or received between March 1, 2025 and May 29, 2025:
1. All written candidate- or proctor-submitted complaint forms or reports (including incident reports or test-day forms) describing suspected cheating, possession of unauthorized materials (such as electronic devices), or potential content exposure during the March 1, 2025 Police Sergeant Promotional Examination.
2. Any written summaries or logs prepared by test site coordinators or supervisors documenting incidents of exam-day misconduct or irregularities at any test center used on March 1, 2025.
3. Any internal memoranda, summaries, or preliminary findings generated by Civil Service Commission staff between March 1 and May 29, 2025, specifically discussing the credibility or substance of misconduct allegations related to that exam.
Request Clarifications:
* This request is confined to records created or received by personnel within the Civil Service Commission's:
* (1) Division of Test Development, Analytics, and Administration, and
* (2) Division of Appeals and Regulatory Affairs of the 2025 Police Sergeant Examination between March 1, 2025 and May 29, 2025.
* This request does NOT seek all agency documents or all emails. It seeks only formal complaints, incident reports, or written documentation of security-related incidents concerning the March 1 exam.
* This NOT a request for records about general exam procedures or candidate eligibility, only documents that specifically reference suspected misconduct, cheating, or security breaches related to the March 1, 2025 Police Sergeant Promotional Exam.
Legal Clarification Regarding Overbreadth:
While the Civil Service Commission's response cites MAG Entertainment, Bent, and Bart, our revised request is now consistent with decisions such as Carter v. Franklin Fire Dist. No. 3, GRC Complaint No. 2014-140, where OPRA permitted access to discrete categories of complaint forms and incident logs, so long as they were limited by date, subject matter, and document type.
Further Specifications:
* Timeframe: March 1, 2025 through May 29, 2025
* Specific in subject: Allegations of misconduct as noted above or test content exposure.
* Confined in scope: Limited to complaints, reports, and summaries within CSC testing personnel.
* Targeted Departments:
* (1) Division of Test Development, Analytics, and Administration, and
* (2) Division of Appeals and Regulatory Affairs
Nature of Search:
* Free of keyword "fishing" or blanket email searches.
* Does not request "all records" or open-ended communications.
* Does not seek agency-wide file reviews or undefined categories.
Exemptions & Records in Ongoing Investigations:
We understand that if an investigation is ongoing, records may be temporarily exempt under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-3(a). However, that exemption applies only to records that pertain directly to ongoing investigations, not to all records generally relating to the exam. Complaint forms, test center incident logs, or initial summaries prepared prior to any formal investigative determination are not categorically exempt and should be disclosed.
To the extent any records are withheld under this or any other exemption, we respectfully request that the Commission:
* Identify the specific records being withheld and the statutory basis for their exemption, as required by N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(g);
* Provide a reasonable estimated date of availability for any materials withheld under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-3(a).
Production of Records:
We request production of all responsive, non-exempt records in electronic format via email (attachment), in accordance with N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(b).
We respectfully request a response within seven business days of this revised submission, as required by law. Thank you for your attention to this matter and your cooperation with the Open Public Records Act."
Please be informed that the Commission requires additional time to thoroughly review and respond to your request. Therefore, we are requesting another extension of seven business days, setting the new deadline for Friday, August 1, 2025.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we continue to process your request.
The OPRA Office
NJ Civil Service Commission
Extension request acknowledged. Thank you for the update.
-Sergeant Exam Integrity Coalition
Dear Sergeant Exam Integrity Coalition:
The Civil Service Commission (Commission) acknowledges receipt of your Open Public Records Act (OPRA) request (C236847) received on Monday, June 23, 2025.
You made requests for the following records:
“In response to your June 18, 2025 statement denying our OPRA request submitted on May 29, 2025. We respectfully disagree with the characterization that our request was overbroad or improper, but in the interest of cooperation and clarity, we are now submitting a revised request that more precisely describes the specific documents sought.
We also note that under Burnett v. County of Bergen, 198 N.J. 408, 422–23 (2009), courts have made clear that OPRA is to be construed in favor of access, and custodians are obligated to work with requestors in narrowing any ambiguities. In this spirit, we now restate our request as follows:
Specific OPRA Request:
Pursuant to the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq., we hereby request access to the following specific government records, generated or received between March 1, 2025 and May 29, 2025:
1. All written candidate- or proctor-submitted complaint forms or reports (including incident reports or test-day forms) describing suspected cheating, possession of unauthorized materials (such as electronic devices), or potential content exposure during the March 1, 2025 Police Sergeant Promotional Examination.
2. Any written summaries or logs prepared by test site coordinators or supervisors documenting incidents of exam-day misconduct or irregularities at any test center used on March 1, 2025.
3. Any internal memoranda, summaries, or preliminary findings generated by Civil Service Commission staff between March 1 and May 29, 2025, specifically discussing the credibility or substance of misconduct allegations related to that exam.
Request Clarifications:
* This request is confined to records created or received by personnel within the Civil Service Commission’s:
* (1) Division of Test Development, Analytics, and Administration, and
* (2) Division of Appeals and Regulatory Affairs of the 2025 Police Sergeant Examination between March 1, 2025 and May 29, 2025.
* This request does NOT seek all agency documents or all emails. It seeks only formal complaints, incident reports, or written documentation of security-related incidents concerning the March 1 exam.
* This NOT a request for records about general exam procedures or candidate eligibility, only documents that specifically reference suspected misconduct, cheating, or security breaches related to the March 1, 2025 Police Sergeant Promotional Exam.
Legal Clarification Regarding Overbreadth:
While the Civil Service Commission’s response cites MAG Entertainment, Bent, and Bart, our revised request is now consistent with decisions such as Carter v. Franklin Fire Dist. No. 3, GRC Complaint No. 2014-140, where OPRA permitted access to discrete categories of complaint forms and incident logs, so long as they were limited by date, subject matter, and document type.
Further Specifications:
* Timeframe: March 1, 2025 through May 29, 2025
* Specific in subject: Allegations of misconduct as noted above or test content exposure.
* Confined in scope: Limited to complaints, reports, and summaries within CSC testing personnel.
* Targeted Departments:
* (1) Division of Test Development, Analytics, and Administration, and
* (2) Division of Appeals and Regulatory Affairs
Nature of Search:
* Free of keyword “fishing” or blanket email searches.
* Does not request “all records” or open-ended communications.
* Does not seek agency-wide file reviews or undefined categories.
Exemptions & Records in Ongoing Investigations:
We understand that if an investigation is ongoing, records may be temporarily exempt under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-3(a). However, that exemption applies only to records that pertain directly to ongoing investigations, not to all records generally relating to the exam. Complaint forms, test center incident logs, or initial summaries prepared prior to any formal investigative determination are not categorically exempt and should be disclosed.
To the extent any records are withheld under this or any other exemption, we respectfully request that the Commission:
* Identify the specific records being withheld and the statutory basis for their exemption, as required by N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(g);
* Provide a reasonable estimated date of availability for any materials withheld under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-3(a).
Production of Records:
We request production of all responsive, non-exempt records in electronic format via email (attachment), in accordance with N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(b).
We respectfully request a response within seven business days of this revised submission, as required by law. Thank you for your attention to this matter and your cooperation with the Open Public Records Act.”
Please be informed that the Commission requires additional time to thoroughly review and respond to your request. Therefore, we are requesting another extension of seven business days, setting the new deadline for Tuesday, August 12, 2025.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we continue to process your request.
The OPRA Office
NJ Civil Service Commission
Dear Sergeant Exam Integrity Coalition:
The Civil Service Commission (Commission) acknowledges receipt of your Open Public Records Act (OPRA) request (C236847) received on Monday, June 23, 2025.
You made requests for the following records:
"In response to your June 18, 2025 statement denying our OPRA request submitted on May 29, 2025. We respectfully disagree with the characterization that our request was overbroad or improper, but in the interest of cooperation and clarity, we are now submitting a revised request that more precisely describes the specific documents sought.
We also note that under Burnett v. County of Bergen, 198 N.J. 408, 422-23 (2009), courts have made clear that OPRA is to be construed in favor of access, and custodians are obligated to work with requestors in narrowing any ambiguities. In this spirit, we now restate our request as follows:
Specific OPRA Request:
Pursuant to the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq., we hereby request access to the following specific government records, generated or received between March 1, 2025 and May 29, 2025:
1. All written candidate- or proctor-submitted complaint forms or reports (including incident reports or test-day forms) describing suspected cheating, possession of unauthorized materials (such as electronic devices), or potential content exposure during the March 1, 2025 Police Sergeant Promotional Examination.
2. Any written summaries or logs prepared by test site coordinators or supervisors documenting incidents of exam-day misconduct or irregularities at any test center used on March 1, 2025.
3. Any internal memoranda, summaries, or preliminary findings generated by Civil Service Commission staff between March 1 and May 29, 2025, specifically discussing the credibility or substance of misconduct allegations related to that exam.
Request Clarifications:
* This request is confined to records created or received by personnel within the Civil Service Commission's:
* (1) Division of Test Development, Analytics, and Administration, and
* (2) Division of Appeals and Regulatory Affairs of the 2025 Police Sergeant Examination between March 1, 2025 and May 29, 2025.
* This request does NOT seek all agency documents or all emails. It seeks only formal complaints, incident reports, or written documentation of security-related incidents concerning the March 1 exam.
* This NOT a request for records about general exam procedures or candidate eligibility, only documents that specifically reference suspected misconduct, cheating, or security breaches related to the March 1, 2025 Police Sergeant Promotional Exam.
Legal Clarification Regarding Overbreadth:
While the Civil Service Commission's response cites MAG Entertainment, Bent, and Bart, our revised request is now consistent with decisions such as Carter v. Franklin Fire Dist. No. 3, GRC Complaint No. 2014-140, where OPRA permitted access to discrete categories of complaint forms and incident logs, so long as they were limited by date, subject matter, and document type.
Further Specifications:
* Timeframe: March 1, 2025 through May 29, 2025
* Specific in subject: Allegations of misconduct as noted above or test content exposure.
* Confined in scope: Limited to complaints, reports, and summaries within CSC testing personnel.
* Targeted Departments:
* (1) Division of Test Development, Analytics, and Administration, and
* (2) Division of Appeals and Regulatory Affairs
Nature of Search:
* Free of keyword "fishing" or blanket email searches.
* Does not request "all records" or open-ended communications.
* Does not seek agency-wide file reviews or undefined categories.
Exemptions & Records in Ongoing Investigations:
We understand that if an investigation is ongoing, records may be temporarily exempt under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-3(a). However, that exemption applies only to records that pertain directly to ongoing investigations, not to all records generally relating to the exam. Complaint forms, test center incident logs, or initial summaries prepared prior to any formal investigative determination are not categorically exempt and should be disclosed.
To the extent any records are withheld under this or any other exemption, we respectfully request that the Commission:
* Identify the specific records being withheld and the statutory basis for their exemption, as required by N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(g);
* Provide a reasonable estimated date of availability for any materials withheld under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-3(a).
Production of Records:
We request production of all responsive, non-exempt records in electronic format via email (attachment), in accordance with N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(b).
We respectfully request a response within seven business days of this revised submission, as required by law. Thank you for your attention to this matter and your cooperation with the Open Public Records Act."
Please be informed that the Commission requires additional time to thoroughly review and respond to your request. Therefore, we are requesting another extension of seven business days, setting the new deadline for Thursday, August 21, 2025.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we continue to process your request.
The OPRA Office
NJ Civil Service Commission
To the OPRA Office,
New Jersey Civil Service Commission:
We acknowledge receipt of your August 12, 2025 notice extending the response deadline for OPRA Request C236847 to August 21, 2025.
We appreciate the Commission’s continued updates and understand that certain circumstances, including possible internal reviews or related matters, may require additional time before records can be provided. We also recognize that this request has already undergone several deadline adjustments since its original submission, and we trust that the most recent extension will allow the Commission to bring this matter to completion.
We look forward to receiving the Commission’s response on or before the extended date.
Respectfully,
Sergeant Exam Integrity Coalition
N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(i) - “…reasonable extension…”
Dear Sergeant Exam Integrity Coalition:
The Civil Service Commission (Commission) acknowledges receipt of your Open Public Records Act (OPRA) request (C236847) received on Monday, June 23, 2025.
You made requests for the following records:
“In response to your June 18, 2025 statement denying our OPRA request submitted on May 29, 2025. We respectfully disagree with the characterization that our request was overbroad or improper, but in the interest of cooperation and clarity, we are now submitting a revised request that more precisely describes the specific documents sought.
We also note that under Burnett v. County of Bergen, 198 N.J. 408, 422–23 (2009), courts have made clear that OPRA is to be construed in favor of access, and custodians are obligated to work with requestors in narrowing any ambiguities. In this spirit, we now restate our request as follows:
Specific OPRA Request:
Pursuant to the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq., we hereby request access to the following specific government records, generated or received between March 1, 2025 and May 29, 2025:
1. All written candidate- or proctor-submitted complaint forms or reports (including incident reports or test-day forms) describing suspected cheating, possession of unauthorized materials (such as electronic devices), or potential content exposure during the March 1, 2025 Police Sergeant Promotional Examination.
2. Any written summaries or logs prepared by test site coordinators or supervisors documenting incidents of exam-day misconduct or irregularities at any test center used on March 1, 2025.
3. Any internal memoranda, summaries, or preliminary findings generated by Civil Service Commission staff between March 1 and May 29, 2025, specifically discussing the credibility or substance of misconduct allegations related to that exam.
Request Clarifications:
* This request is confined to records created or received by personnel within the Civil Service Commission’s:
* (1) Division of Test Development, Analytics, and Administration, and
* (2) Division of Appeals and Regulatory Affairs of the 2025 Police Sergeant Examination between March 1, 2025 and May 29, 2025.
* This request does NOT seek all agency documents or all emails. It seeks only formal complaints, incident reports, or written documentation of security-related incidents concerning the March 1 exam.
* This NOT a request for records about general exam procedures or candidate eligibility, only documents that specifically reference suspected misconduct, cheating, or security breaches related to the March 1, 2025 Police Sergeant Promotional Exam.
Legal Clarification Regarding Overbreadth:
While the Civil Service Commission’s response cites MAG Entertainment, Bent, and Bart, our revised request is now consistent with decisions such as Carter v. Franklin Fire Dist. No. 3, GRC Complaint No. 2014-140, where OPRA permitted access to discrete categories of complaint forms and incident logs, so long as they were limited by date, subject matter, and document type.
Further Specifications:
* Timeframe: March 1, 2025 through May 29, 2025
* Specific in subject: Allegations of misconduct as noted above or test content exposure.
* Confined in scope: Limited to complaints, reports, and summaries within CSC testing personnel.
* Targeted Departments:
* (1) Division of Test Development, Analytics, and Administration, and
* (2) Division of Appeals and Regulatory Affairs
Nature of Search:
* Free of keyword “fishing” or blanket email searches.
* Does not request “all records” or open-ended communications.
* Does not seek agency-wide file reviews or undefined categories.
Exemptions & Records in Ongoing Investigations:
We understand that if an investigation is ongoing, records may be temporarily exempt under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-3(a). However, that exemption applies only to records that pertain directly to ongoing investigations, not to all records generally relating to the exam. Complaint forms, test center incident logs, or initial summaries prepared prior to any formal investigative determination are not categorically exempt and should be disclosed.
To the extent any records are withheld under this or any other exemption, we respectfully request that the Commission:
* Identify the specific records being withheld and the statutory basis for their exemption, as required by N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(g);
* Provide a reasonable estimated date of availability for any materials withheld under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-3(a).
Production of Records:
We request production of all responsive, non-exempt records in electronic format via email (attachment), in accordance with N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(b).
We respectfully request a response within seven business days of this revised submission, as required by law. Thank you for your attention to this matter and your cooperation with the Open Public Records Act.”
Please be informed that the Commission requires additional time to thoroughly review and respond to your request. Therefore, we are requesting another extension of seven business days, setting the new deadline for Tuesday, September 2, 2025.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we continue to process your request.
The OPRA Office
NJ Civil Service Commission
Dear Sergeant Exam Integrity Coalition:
The Civil Service Commission (Commission) acknowledges receipt of your Open Public Records Act (OPRA) request (C236847) received on Monday, June 23, 2025.
You made requests for the following records:
“In response to your June 18, 2025 statement denying our OPRA request submitted on May 29, 2025. We respectfully disagree with the characterization that our request was overbroad or improper, but in the interest of cooperation and clarity, we are now submitting a revised request that more precisely describes the specific documents sought.
We also note that under Burnett v. County of Bergen, 198 N.J. 408, 422–23 (2009), courts have made clear that OPRA is to be construed in favor of access, and custodians are obligated to work with requestors in narrowing any ambiguities. In this spirit, we now restate our request as follows:
Specific OPRA Request:
Pursuant to the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq., we hereby request access to the following specific government records, generated or received between March 1, 2025 and May 29, 2025:
1. All written candidate- or proctor-submitted complaint forms or reports (including incident reports or test-day forms) describing suspected cheating, possession of unauthorized materials (such as electronic devices), or potential content exposure during the March 1, 2025 Police Sergeant Promotional Examination.
2. Any written summaries or logs prepared by test site coordinators or supervisors documenting incidents of exam-day misconduct or irregularities at any test center used on March 1, 2025.
3. Any internal memoranda, summaries, or preliminary findings generated by Civil Service Commission staff between March 1 and May 29, 2025, specifically discussing the credibility or substance of misconduct allegations related to that exam.
Request Clarifications:
* This request is confined to records created or received by personnel within the Civil Service Commission’s:
* (1) Division of Test Development, Analytics, and Administration, and
* (2) Division of Appeals and Regulatory Affairs of the 2025 Police Sergeant Examination between March 1, 2025 and May 29, 2025.
* This request does NOT seek all agency documents or all emails. It seeks only formal complaints, incident reports, or written documentation of security-related incidents concerning the March 1 exam.
* This NOT a request for records about general exam procedures or candidate eligibility, only documents that specifically reference suspected misconduct, cheating, or security breaches related to the March 1, 2025 Police Sergeant Promotional Exam.
Legal Clarification Regarding Overbreadth:
While the Civil Service Commission’s response cites MAG Entertainment, Bent, and Bart, our revised request is now consistent with decisions such as Carter v. Franklin Fire Dist. No. 3, GRC Complaint No. 2014-140, where OPRA permitted access to discrete categories of complaint forms and incident logs, so long as they were limited by date, subject matter, and document type.
Further Specifications:
* Timeframe: March 1, 2025 through May 29, 2025
* Specific in subject: Allegations of misconduct as noted above or test content exposure.
* Confined in scope: Limited to complaints, reports, and summaries within CSC testing personnel.
* Targeted Departments:
* (1) Division of Test Development, Analytics, and Administration, and
* (2) Division of Appeals and Regulatory Affairs
Nature of Search:
* Free of keyword “fishing” or blanket email searches.
* Does not request “all records” or open-ended communications.
* Does not seek agency-wide file reviews or undefined categories.
Exemptions & Records in Ongoing Investigations:
We understand that if an investigation is ongoing, records may be temporarily exempt under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-3(a). However, that exemption applies only to records that pertain directly to ongoing investigations, not to all records generally relating to the exam. Complaint forms, test center incident logs, or initial summaries prepared prior to any formal investigative determination are not categorically exempt and should be disclosed.
To the extent any records are withheld under this or any other exemption, we respectfully request that the Commission:
* Identify the specific records being withheld and the statutory basis for their exemption, as required by N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(g);
* Provide a reasonable estimated date of availability for any materials withheld under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-3(a).
Production of Records:
We request production of all responsive, non-exempt records in electronic format via email (attachment), in accordance with N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(b).
We respectfully request a response within seven business days of this revised submission, as required by law. Thank you for your attention to this matter and your cooperation with the Open Public Records Act.”
Please be informed that the Commission requires additional time to thoroughly review and respond to your request. Therefore, we are requesting another extension of seven business days, setting the new deadline for Thursday, September 11, 2025.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we continue to process your request.
The OPRA Office
NJ Civil Service Commission
Extension request with new deadline for Thursday, September 11, 2025 acknowledged. Thank you for the update.
-Sergeant Exam Integrity Coalition
Dear Sergeant Exam Integrity Coalition:
The Civil Service Commission (“Commission”) is in receipt of your request
for “All written candidate- or proctor-submitted complaint forms or
reports (including incident reports or test-day forms) describing
suspected cheating, possession of unauthorized materials (such as
electronic devices), or potential content exposure during the March 1,
2025 Police Sergeant Promotional Examination’; “Any written summaries or
logs prepared by test site coordinators or supervisors documenting
incidents of exam-day misconduct or irregularities at any test center used
on March 1, 2025”; and “Any internal memoranda, summaries, or preliminary
findings generated by Civil Service Commission staff between March 1 and
May 29, 2025, specifically discussing the credibility or substance of
misconduct allegations related to that exam.”
Be advised that your request is denied pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-3, which
provides that "where it shall appear that the record or records which are
sought to be inspected, copied, or examined shall pertain to an
investigation in progress by any public agency, the right of access
provided for in P.L.1963, c.73 (C.47:1A-1 et seq.) as amended and
supplemented may be denied if the inspection, copying or examination of
such record or records shall be inimical to the public interest... [.]"
Furthermore, to the extent your request seeks records exempt under
N.J.A.C. 4A:4-2.16, your request is also denied.
Your request is hereby closed.
The OPRA Office
NJ Civil Service Commission