Lawrence Police Officer Charged In Internal Affairs Investigation

Trenton NJ

17 September, 2020

4:35 PM

Description

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ — The Mercer County Prosecutor's Office announced Thursday that a Lawrence Township police officer was charged with disorderly persons offenses in an internal affairs investigation. According to officials, Officer Andres Mejia falsified records during a criminal investigation in August 2020. The investigation was conducted by the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office and the Lawrence Police Department. Officials said Mejia submitted an arrest report to his superiors on August 16, knowing that it contained false and misleading information about a fictitious witness in an incident that he had responded to. Back in 2012, Mejia was among seven officers who had filed a federal lawsuit against the township manager, the chief and deputy chief of the police department, and the municipality. They alleged that that their First Amendment-protected civil rights were violated and that they were being punished for taking part in union activities. Read More Here: Seven Cops File Federal Lawsuit Against Twp. Officials Mejia, 42, was charged with unsworn falsification and tampering with records, both disorderly persons offenses, said officials. He was served with the summons complaint on Thursday and has been suspended from the police department without pay, officials said. Have a correction or news tip? Email [email protected] Get breaking news alerts on your phone with our app. Download here. Sign up to get Patch emails so you don't miss out on local and statewide news.