Exclusive: Bayonne police union gives deputy chief vote of no confidence over alleged ticket quota, drug testing violations
One complaint alleges that Bayonne internal affairs told staff when a random drug test would happen - and in some cases, who would be tested.
The Bayonne Police Superior Officers Association has voted no confidence in its deputy police chief, Andrew Quinn, News 12 has learned exclusively.
News 12 received two complaints submitted to the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office by Bayonne police staff.
According to one complaint, the deputy chief was dissatisfied with ticket numbers and told sergeants to ride along with officers and motivate them to write more. Ticket quotas are against the law in New Jersey.
News 12 asked a high-ranking Bayonne police official - granted anonymity in exchange for candor - in a phone interview if this is a betrayal of public trust.
"The very fact that we're having this conversation right now, and that a whistleblower complaint was put forward to the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office to look into this behavior and this misconduct, is evidence to the fact that we are a professional organization," said the source. "Besides what one individual is looking for us to do, our officers are not on board with that and are pushing back, and are looking for help to make sure that this does not happen, to make sure that our citizens are not affected."
The complainant alleges that ticket totals actually declined on their patrol after sergeants were told to ride along.
A separate complaint alleges that Bayonne police internal affairs - formerly under Quinn's watch - told officers when a random drug test would be administered and who would be tested.
The New Jersey Office of the Attorney General and the department's own policies on random drug testing state that sharing that information prior to testing results in disciplinary action.
Bayonne's internal affairs reports show zero drug test failures from 2022-2025, the years publicly available on their website.
"If there is an officer, in fact, that is at risk of coming up positive for a drug test, myself and any other law enforcement professional would want that person identified and want that person to lose their job and not have the position that they have in the public's trust," said the police source. "The fact that we are coming forward with this is evidence that we know it is improper."
The prosecutor's office said its policy is not to confirm or deny any investigations. The Bayonne Police Department offered no comment at this time via its public information officer.
Emails directly to the deputy chief and chief of police have yet to be returned.
