An internal investigation found that former Police Chief Leonard Guida committed dozens of policy violations
An internal affairs investigation in New Jersey found 28 policy violations committed by the police chief himself. In one case, he showed up to a DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) investigation while impaired himself and got into a physical altercation. Now, he’s retiring as a result of the findings.
Seven of the violations related directly to an incident where Leonard Guida, the now-former police chief, arrived at a DWI scene while intoxicated himself. In bodycam footage from the incident, he’s seen approaching a lieutenant and complaining about the officer’s jacket.
When the officer attempts to go back to doing his job, Guida pursues him and begins to grab him by the arm. At that point, the lieutenant slams Guida against a patrol car and yells at the chief, finishing by saying “you’re drunk again”.
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The chief went on paid leave when the incident happened in November. The investigation was ongoing at the time and concluded with very clear findings. Several of the incidents in the report indicate that Guida may have an alcohol abuse problem.
The officer who slammed him on the hood reported that Guida had been coming to work intoxicated in the previous six months. That might explain some of the other behaviors that resulted in additional policy violations.
The report specifically called out his tendency to yell at his subordinates over “minor inconsequential things when they are trying to do their jobs.” During the investigation, Guida called these same subordinates “not credible, not nice, and not capable.” What a boss he must have been.
“The findings outlined in this report illustrate unmistakably that over the previous year and a half, Chief Guida has been an active hindrance to the very law enforcement agency he was entrusted to lead. The picture the report paints is not pretty – but that is precisely why we felt that it was so vitally important to publicly release it,” Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago said. “Transparency is rendered meaningless if ugliness is kept opaque.”
He retired on March 1st and technically could reapply to rejoin the police force at any time. If he does, the internal affairs office would likely recommend some form of discipline though. For now, it’s held off, citing his retirement as the reason for not suggesting consequences.