Page 4 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • September 19, 2012 Waldwick The Superior Court of New Jersey’s Appellate Division recently upheld a trial judge’s decision in favor of the Waldwick Police Department, Waldwick Police Chief Mark Messner, and Borough Administrator Gary Kratz. The appeal concerns former Police Sergeant Russell Litchult Jr., the former K-9 officer, who filed a suit in 2008. He claimed civil rights violations, violations of the Conscientious Employees Act, breach of contract, slander, libel, intentional interference with business advantage, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and discrimination. The 28-year police veteran, who retired four years ago, alleged that he was mis- Superior court rules in favor of borough, officials treated after he reported alleged wrongdoing within the department. One alleged incident involved Litchult’s claim that he had seen another officer access the borough administrator’s computer without authorization. The ensuing investigation revealed that the officer was capable of accessing the administrator’s email, but the officer had also reopened a message and shown it to another officer. Litchult also alleged that a police officer was conducting a real estate business while on duty and that another officer’s children had access to confidential information in the evidence room, and those children were involved in department-related clerical work. Litchult’s case stemmed from a 2006 incident that involved the police detective’s transport of a prisoner. The individual who was being transported to the county jail told the detective that Litchult had struck him while he was in handcuffs, and the detective subsequently filed an excessive force complaint against the plaintiff. Litchult acknowledged that he had hit the man, but said the use of force was justified. Litchult said he believed the detective’s complaint was filed because Litchult had discussed the detective’s job performance with the police chief. According to court documents, the internal investigations into each of the above incidents resulted in Litchult and the other officers being cleared of all charges. Litchult began sick leave in December 2007, and did not return to active duty before his 2008 retirement. While on leave, Litchult lost his K-9 vehicle privileges. Borough officials said this move was made in the best interest of the department. The plaintiff also said he was denied sick pay and compensation associated with his work at the K-9 officer. Borough officials said the officer could not be paid for extra K-9 hours while he was on leave. In addition, they said the union agreement did not allow him to “cash in” his sick days. The Waldwick Police Department will continue to monitor the intersection of West Prospect Street and Hopper Avenue to make sure children walking to school are safe. Since the corner was designated a multi-stop intersection this summer, the crossing guard who previously manned the busy intersection was relocated this school year. Donna Rinaldi of Maple Avenue asked the mayor and council last week to keep a crossing guard there at least until the children understand how to cross at a four-way stop. “The kids are standing there not knowing what to do. No one knows who goes next; it’s like playing chicken,” Rinaldi Parent concerned about children crossing at 4-way stop corner said. She said she asked children how they decided to cross and was told that they follow the other children. Borough Administrator Gary Kratz said that the police officers patrolling the intersection during the before and after-school hours have reported no problems. He said the intersection is completely controlled by virtue of the four-way stop, but that it will continue to be monitored and a decision will be made in a week or two as to whether to return the crossing guard to the post. Kratz said the guard had been moved because only a handful of children cross there. He said only seven locations in town have guards, and most corners are unattended. Rinaldi said, however, that a reading at the beginning of the school year may not be accurate, until parents decide whether they want their children to walk instead of giving them a ride. She asked that the patrolman monitoring the corner not sit in his car but rather walk to the intersection as the children are crossing to better observe the dynamics.