Subject: OPRA Request Regarding Deputy Chief Corbisiero, Officer David Corbisiero Jr., Chief Farley, and Potential Misuse of Authority
Dear North Bergen Township,
Please accept this electronic request for public records made under OPRA and the common law right of access. I am not required to fill out an official form or use a particular software platform to submit my request per NJSA 47:1A-6(f), which states that an email from a requestor including all of the information required on the adopted form shall suffice in place of a completed form as a valid government record request.
I HAVE NOT been convicted of any indictable offense under the laws of New Jersey, any other state, or the United States.
I WILL NOT use the requested government records for a commercial purpose.
I AM NOT seeking records in connection with a legal proceeding.
Records requested:
Dear [Records Custodian or Appropriate Contact at Department Name],
Under the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), I am formally requesting access to information and documentation regarding potential misuse of authority, nepotism, and favoritism within the department, specifically involving Deputy Chief Corbisiero, Officer David Corbisiero Jr., and Chief Farley. This request seeks to clarify decision-making processes that may be undermining departmental integrity and fairness. I am requesting the following records:
1. Assignment Rationale for Officer David Corbisiero Jr.
• Documentation or communication explaining the rationale for assigning Officer David Corbisiero Jr. to a patrol role that appears limited to traffic and motor vehicle stops, rather than the full scope of patrol duties, while the rest of his squad handles general calls.
• Any records regarding considerations, exceptions, or accommodations made specifically for Officer David Corbisiero Jr. in relation to this limited assignment.
2. Records on Extra-Duty Employment Assignments
• Policies and procedures outlining the prioritization and assignment of extra-duty employment within the department.
• Documentation detailing the criteria and decision-making process that resulted in Officer David Corbisiero Jr. being assigned extra-duty employment before senior officers and supervisors, including the dates and criteria used in these decisions.
3. Extra-Duty Assignments for Chief Farley
• Documentation and records detailing the assignment of extra-duty employment to Chief Farley, including the frequency and nature of such assignments.
• Information on policies or procedures that guide the assignment of extra-duty work, particularly in relation to command staff versus patrol officers.
• Any communication or rationale supporting Chief Farley’s allocation to details that could otherwise be assigned to lower-paid patrol officers, who rely on such assignments to supplement their incomes.
This request seeks to understand the impact of Chief Farley’s extra-duty assignments on morale, particularly among patrol officers who, despite being the backbone of the department, face financial strain while seeing higher-ranking officials secure such assignments.
4. GPS Information for Deputy Chief Corbisiero’s Take-Home Vehicle
• GPS data and records related to the usage of Deputy Chief Corbisiero’s take-home vehicle to determine compliance with department policies on official vehicle use.
• Any policies governing take-home vehicle use by department personnel, specifically addressing personal and professional boundaries for use.
5. Verification of Officer David Corbisiero Jr.’s Residency
• Documentation verifying Officer David Corbisiero Jr.’s listed North Bergen address, including any residency verification processes that the department has undertaken.
• Any records, complaints, or investigations that address concerns regarding the legitimacy of this address, in light of information that Officer David Corbisiero Jr. may not actually reside within town limits.
6. Complaints and Retaliatory Actions
• Any formal complaints, grievances, or documented communications from department members regarding potential nepotism, favoritism, or punitive actions allegedly directed by Deputy Chief Corbisiero against those who have raised concerns about perceived unfair practices.
• The department’s policies on workplace fairness, non-retaliation, and processes for addressing conflicts of interest involving family members of high-ranking officials.
The intent of this request is to assess whether Officer David Corbisiero Jr.’s assignments, privileges, and declared residency, as well as the allocation of extra-duty details to command staff like Chief Farley, align with department policies and ensure transparency in leadership practices.
Please contact me if further clarification is needed. Thank you for
My preferred delivery method for response(s) to this request is by E-mail as attachments. Please confirm you have received this request. If you are not the custodian of records, please forward my request to that person and provide their email address to me for future reference.
Yours faithfully,
Hey Buddy
Good Afternoon,
The Township of North Bergen (the “Township”) received your request dated 11/13/2024 under the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (“OPRA”), N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq.
In response to your request, see attached records in accordance with N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 and -1.1:
Request 1. Assignment Rationale for Officer David Corbisiero Jr.
• Documentation or communication explaining the rationale for assigning Officer David Corbisiero Jr. to a patrol role that appears limited to traffic and motor vehicle stops, rather than the full scope of patrol duties, while the rest of his squad handles general calls.
Response: There are no records responsive.
• Any records regarding considerations, exceptions, or accommodations made specifically for Officer David Corbisiero Jr. in relation to this limited assignment.
Response: There are no records responsive.
Request 2. Records on Extra-Duty Employment Assignments
• Policies and procedures outlining the prioritization and assignment of extra-duty employment within the department.
Response: Attached please find the North Bergen Police Department General Order 13-16 Extra Duty Employment and the Collective Bargaining Agreement – PBA Local 18 – January 2024 Through December 2027.
• Documentation detailing the criteria and decision-making process that resulted in Officer David Corbisiero Jr. being assigned extra-duty employment before senior officers and supervisors, including the dates and criteria used in these decisions.
Response: The department has no record responsive.
Request 3. Extra-Duty Assignments for Chief Farley
• Documentation and records detailing the assignment of extra-duty employment to Chief Farley, including the frequency and nature of such assignments.
Response: Your request is denied pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-9 (New Jersey Administrative Code § 13:1E-3.2).
• Information on policies or procedures that guide the assignment of extra-duty work, particularly in relation to command staff versus patrol officers.
Response: Attached please find the North Bergen Police Department General Order 13-16 Extra Duty Employment as well as the Collective Bargaining Agreement – PBA Local 18 – January 2024 Through December 2027.
• Any communication or rationale supporting Chief Farley’s allocation to details that could otherwise be assigned to lower-paid patrol officers, who rely on such assignments to supplement their incomes.
Response: Your request is overly broad, vague, and improper, and therefore denied. MAG Entm’t, LLC v. Div. of Alcoholic Beverage Control, 375 N.J. Super. 534 (App. Div. 2005).
Request 4. GPS Information for Deputy Chief Corbisiero’s Take-Home Vehicle
• GPS data and records related to the usage of Deputy Chief Corbisiero’s take-home vehicle to determine compliance with department policies on official vehicle use.
• Any policies governing take-home vehicle use by department personnel, specifically addressing personal and professional boundaries for use.
Response: Concerning “GPS data,” there are no records responsive.
Regarding “…records related to the usage of Deputy Chief Corbisiero’s take-home vehicle…” attached please find the document entitled Vehicle Authorization Form – DC Corbisiero, as well as General Order 24-01 Take-Home Vehicle Policy.
Request 5. Verification of Officer David Corbisiero Jr.’s Residency
• Documentation verifying Officer David Corbisiero Jr.’s listed North Bergen address, including any residency verification processes that the department has undertaken.
• Any records, complaints, or investigations that address concerns regarding the legitimacy of this address, in light of information that Officer David Corbisiero Jr. may not actually reside within town limits.
Response: Your request is denied pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1; N.J.S.A. 47:1A-10; N.J.S.A. 47:1A-9, (McGreevey Executive Order No. 26, New Jersey Administrative Code § 13:1E-3.2).
Request 6. Complaints and Retaliatory Actions
• Any formal complaints, grievances, or documented communications from department members regarding potential nepotism, favoritism, or punitive actions allegedly directed by Deputy Chief Corbisiero against those who have raised concerns about perceived unfair practices.
Response: Your request is denied pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-10.
• The department’s policies on workplace fairness, non-retaliation, and processes for addressing conflicts of interest involving family members of high-ranking officials.
Response: Attached please find documents entitled Rules and Regulations – North Bergen Police Department, General Order 22-03 Fraternization Nepotism Policy, and General Order 13-11 Sexual Harassment.
As with any OPRA request, you have the right to challenge the decision by the Township with regards to your request. At your option, you may either institute a proceeding in the Superior Court of New Jersey or file a complaint with the Government Records Council (“GRC”) by completing the Denial of Access Complaint Form. You may contact the GRC by toll-free telephone at 866-850-0511, by mail at PO Box 819, Trenton, NJ 08625, by e-mail at [email address] or at their web site at https://www.nj.gov/grc. The GRC can also answer other questions about the law. All questions regarding complaints filed in Superior Court should be directed to the Court Clerk.
Thank you.
Erin Barillas, RMC
Township Clerk
Township of North Bergen
4233 Kennedy Blvd
North Bergen, NJ 07047
e: [North Bergen Township request email]
o: 201-392-2024
f: 201-330-7694
www.northbergen.org