Seven of the 14 law enforcement agencies in Cape May County reported at least one case of disciplining officers in 2023, with 12 officers in total facing discipline, according to the state Office of the Attorney General.
The 14 law enforcement agencies in Cape May County include 11 municipal police departments, two county departments: The Sheriff’s Office, which includes the Corrections Department, and the Prosecutor’s Office, and the Delaware River and Bay Authority’s police department.
The state Attorney General’s Office, annually since 2021, has reported cases of major discipline of law enforcement officers for the previous year.
Across the state, 460 officers received major discipline in 2023, compared to 404 in 2022. Agencies report major discipline only after the discipline is final. Thus discipline in 2023 could be for violations in previous years.
In 2023 the Cape May County departments reporting major discipline were:
Avalon Borough Police Department, where Sgt. Matthew Sykes was demoted after using a racial slur to refer to a “third-party officer” during an off-duty texting session with a fellow officer who subsequently reported the incident. Sykes then texted the reporting officer with what was interpreted as a threat of retaliation.
Cape May City Police Department disciplined a seasonal officer for being untruthful to a superior. The officer, Dylan Sincavage, received a written letter of reprimand but was released from employment prior to the conclusion of the internal investigation.
Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Zachary DeWeese was suspended for eight days and received a written reprimand. DeWeese did not report for work as scheduled on a specific work day, and he disobeyed an order not to discuss the internal investigation with others in the department.
Cape May County Sheriff’s Office had four officers subject to major discipline.
Sgt. William Nielsen was suspended for 45 days for insubordination, conduct unbecoming, misuse of public property and neglect of duty. Nielsen, a corrections office shift supervisor, accessed the internet for personal reasons for extended periods on most of the shifts that he worked. On one shift his internet usage time totaled more than five hours. Nielsen also violated orders to keep the investigation private.
Officer Douglas Siteman was suspended for 130 days and demoted from the rank of sergeant. On or about April 7, Siteman was in England and made inappropriate and unsolicited sexual advances to a female. He was arrested for non-consensual sexual contact. There was no criminal conviction, but the conduct related to the charges was the basis for the discipline.
Officer Tyler Dunne was suspended for 91 days after being arrested and charged with driving under the influence on the Garden State Parkway while off duty.
Officer Erick Womack was suspended five days or 60 hours for violating regulations by standing in the doorway of cells with cell doors open for extended periods with no other officer present.
Ocean City Police Department subjected three officers to major discipline.
Patrolman Anthony Millevoi was suspended 30 days for insubordination. Millevoi left a duty assignment without permission. Prior to leaving he parked his car in a covert location for more than four hours, neglecting his patrol duties.
Sgt. Tyrone Rolls pleaded guilty to second-degree endangering the welfare of a minor by sexual conduct. He was ordered to forfeit public office, which terminated his employment.
Patrolman Jacob Harris was arrested for stalking and placing a tracking device on a victim’s car. As part of a pretrial agreement he was required to forfeit his police training certificate, ending his employment as a police officer.
Sea Isle City Police Department Sgt. William Bradshaw was accused of harassing a female officer in the workplace. An investigation sustained the charges. Bradshaw left the department while the case was pending.
Wildwood Police Department Patrolman Andrew Kolimaga was suspended for 10 days for violating standards of conduct. He pointed his conduct energy device (commonly known as a taser or stun gun) while conducting a spark display functionality test.
The Cape May County law enforcement agencies with no major discipline to report were Lower Township police, Middle Township police, North Wildwood police, Stone Harbor police, West Wildwood police, Wildwood Crest police and Delaware River and Bay Authority police.
Contact the reporter, Vince Conti, at vconti@cmcherald.com.
