Crime & Safety

Cop's Claims Against Mendham Twp. Police 'Erroneous,' Chief Says

Press conference held for Mendham Twp. Chief to address allegations made by current officer about profiling, quotas, and being passed over for promotions.

Steve Crawford has had the good fortune of not taking a bullet in the line of duty.

But on Tuesday morning the Mendham Township police chief did just that, figuratively speaking, on behalf of his department.

Crawford, the chief since 2009, held a press conference in the front of the Ralston Fire Company building in front of a half dozen news agencies to address allegations made against him and the department in a lawsuit brought forth by one of the township’s officers.

Find out what's happening in Mendham-Chesterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Find out what's happening in Mendham-Chesterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Flanked by longtime friend Ed Bilinkas, an attorney but not representing Crawford, the police chief didn’t mince words about the allegations, saying they were “erroneous” and that he would welcome an investigation by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office into his agency.

When asked what his relationship has been with Wysokowski since the lawsuit was filed, Crawford told Patch, “It’s nothing personal, it’s just business. It’s a tough position to be in, but we’re a proactive department, and this agency will be exonerated.”

Crawford said the department had not been contacted by the Prosecutor’s Office, nor has any communication come down from the Mendham Township Committee in relation to the suit.

“Knowing the chief for more than 20 years, there’s no way he could have done the things alleged in that suit,” Bilinkas told Patch before the press conference. “I believe this is a bold move by the chief to stand up for himself and the department.”

Two on-duty officers attended the conference in addition to Crawford and Lt. Ross Johnson. Four more off-duty officers also attended, standing behind the chief during the session to show support.

There are 15 police officers on the squad. Wysokowski was not in attendance.

Crawford said he had no plans on filing a countersuit as allegations were made against him specifically.

“I can take the bullet for these guys on this situation, which is great, and at the end of the day we need to restore this agency to where it was,” Crawford said. “Lawsuits… that’s just not me.”

Crawford's statement to the media can be viewed in the video above. 


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