Seven of the 13 law enforcement agencies in Cape May County reported at least one case of major disciplining of officers in 2024. A total of 15 officers faced discipline, according to the state Office of the Attorney General.
The 15 officers disciplined last year is the highest number for the county since the attorney general’s report, issued for the period June through December 2020, when county agencies disciplined six officers. Full-year reports followed that initial accounting, with the county numbers of disciplined officers at nine for 2021, seven for 2022 and 12 for 2023.
The 13 law enforcement agencies in Cape May County are the 11 municipal police departments and two county departments: the Sheriff’s Office, which includes the Corrections Department, and the Prosecutor’s Office.
Across the state, 543 officers received major discipline in 2024, compared to 460 in 2023. Agencies report major discipline only after the discipline is final. Thus discipline in 2024 could be for violations in previous years.
In 2024 the Cape May County departments reporting major discipline were:
Avalon Police Department, with one officer subjected to major discipline.
Patrolman TuJuan Baile was suspended 30 days for making inappropriate comments and sending unwelcomed sexual messages and images to a part-time female subordinate. Baile’s actions led the female to resign and the department to be banned from a college job fair. A last-chance agreement was signed, which sets conditions that if violated will result in Baile’s termination.
Cape May County Sheriff’s Office, with three officers disciplined.
Officer Ivan Addu was suspended for 12 days for neglect of duty and insubordination. Addu refused an order from a supervisor to work overtime on a hospital detail. He subsequently also refused to complete a report on his reasons for refusing the hospital detail.
Officer Emily Descala resigned after sustained charges of conduct unbecoming, insubordination, withholding information, truthfulness and unauthorized absence. Descala failed to attend a Zoom class required for a needed certification. A settlement allowed her to resign in good standing.
Corrections Officer Jonathan Perez was terminated after being found guilty by a Cape May County jury of first-degree aggravated sexual assault and other sexual crimes. Perez was sentenced to a 30-year prison term. By court determination his job as a corrections officer was terminated.
Lower Township Police Department, with two officers disciplined.
Patrolman Andrew DiDonato was suspended for 55 days on a sustained charge of conduct unbecoming a public employee. The charges stemmed from an off-duty single-car crash in which DiDonato was found to be intoxicated. He was found guilty of driving under the influence in municipal court.
Patrolman Stephen Flitcroft was suspended 30 days for failure to perform duties and neglect of duty. During a domestic call Flitcroft failed to aid his partner in a physical confrontation with a suspect. He failed to use his radio, appropriately intervene or apply meaningful physical force to assist his partner.
Middle Township Police Department, with one officer disciplined.
Patrolman Jeffrey Rigg was suspended 60 days following an arrest in Maryland for driving while intoxicated. Rigg pleaded “Not guilty, agrees statement of facts.”
Ocean City Police Department, with three officers disciplined.
Patrolman Thomas Mullineaux resigned prior to the conclusion of an internal affairs investigation into his arrest for assault in a domestic violence incident. The victim in the incident did not cooperate with the prosecution, and the case was dismissed. The internal investigation continued since the incident occurred while Mullineaux was under a last-chance agreement.
Patrolman Christian Palzer was a probationary officer found guilty of simple assault in a domestic violence incident. The department was moving for termination, but Palzer resigned before the conclusion of the internal investigation.
Special Law Enforcement Officer II Timothy Pyne was terminated for falsifying a prior job application during the course of a full-time police officer job interview.
Sea Isle City Police Department, with one officer disciplined.
SLEO II Ignacio Hernandez Jr. received a written reprimand and warning for truthfulness and withholding information. Hernandez was found to be not truthful with a supervisor about using a ride-share vehicle in a foot pursuit.
Wildwood Police Department, with four officers disciplined.
SLEO II Alex Grueso resigned pending an internal affairs investigation. Grueso called in sick in order to go out and celebrate with friends and family the fact that he was going to be sworn in as a full-time officer. He subsequently failed to show for his swearing-in ceremony.
SLEO II Saul Meghnagi was suspended 10 days for his operation of a motor vehicle. Meghnagi was operating a vehicle on the beach when he inadvertently struck a beachgoer.
SLEO I Shaki Pippins resigned while under an internal affairs investigation for falsifying the number of parking summons issued under his name.
SLEO II recruit Raymond Weed resigned pending the outcome of an investigation into his failure to disclose information on his application.
The Cape May County law enforcement agencies with no major discipline cases reported were Cape May City, the Cape May Prosecutor’s Office, North Wildwood, Stone Harbor, West Wildwood and Wildwood Crest.
Contact the reporter, Vince Conti, at vconti@cmcherald.com.
