Cop's Firing Upheld in Appellate Court

A former Parsippany Police officer removed from his job for issues surrounding alleged "incompetency" and "conduct unbecoming an officer" during an incident in 2001 will not get his job back.

On Thursday, an appellate division of the Superior Court of New Jersey upheld an adminstrative law judge's 2008 decision to stand by the township's decision to fire Michael Jasiecki following his actions in connection with a motor vehicle pursuit on Oct. 5, 2001.

Jasiecki, who joined the PPD in 1991, reportedly involved himself in a multi-jurisdictional pursuit of a suspect even though he was not asked to do so by his supervisor or by the initiating jurisdiction. The former officer allegedly "engaged in pursuit tactics that violated department policy" and "caused unnecessary risk to the general public, other law enforcement officers involved in the pursuit and the suspect."

In addition, the court found Jasiecki violated department rules and regulations by engaging in "pursuit tactics at a high rate of speed" and failing "to exercise good judgment."  

Jasiecki was removed from his post  on Aug. 13, 2002, for "incompetency, inefficiency or failure to perform duties," conduct unbecoming a public employee, neglect of duty and misuse of public property including a motor vehicle.

Administrative Law Judge Margaret M. Monaco heard Jasiecki's first appeal and ruled in 2008 that the PPD was justified in firing him.

Under state law, any further appeal had to go through the courts, and the latest appeal ended with today's ruling by Judges Ronald Graves, Jonathan N. Harris and Ellen Koblitz in Essex County.