An embattled Monmouth County police department is now being assigned a monitor from the county prosecutor’s office - after more internal complaints.  

News 12 New Jersey has learned that the monitor is a former member of the Asbury Park Police Department who now works for the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office. It comes as the department faces four lawsuits from current employees – who claim racial discrimination and other grievances. 

One of those employees who filed the lawsuit tells News 12 that because of the relationship between the monitor and his past at the Asbury Park Police Department, there is reason for concern. 

“As for whether the former employee will be fair, only time will tell, but there are some real valid concerns over the prosecutor’s choice,” said Lt. Kamil Warraich, the highest-ranking person of color at the department. 

“To be clear, our goal is to help the Asbury Park Police Department in any way we can but also to ensure that it functions in a professional and efficient manner,” Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago stated.

News 12 reached out to the prosecutor’s office, the police department and the city of Asbury Park. However, all three agencies said they couldn’t make any further comments.