Fired Vineland police chief deserves job back, Civil Service Commission says
VINELAND — A police chief fired over allegations he ignored whistleblower complaints could soon be back on the job and collect back pay.
The state Civil Service Commission has ordered Chief Rudy Beu “be immediately reinstated to his permanent position” and be given retroactive pay, benefits, and seniority. That ruling on Wednesday keeps intact the Dec. 8 from Administrative Law Judge Kathleen M. Calemmo.
Vineland fired Beu on Nov. 15, 2021, setting off appeals in both administrative and regular courts.
The firing was based on report findings such as Beu allegedly had “buried” whistleblower complaints, conducted secret investigations, and tried to declare officers unfit for court testimony.
Vineland produced two reports on its investigation of Beu. The first came out in February 2020, resulting in his demotion to deputy chief and a 180-day suspension.
The second report, which the Dec. 8 decision addresses, came out in October 2021 and resulted in his termination. Beu was appointed chief in January 2017.
The Vineland filing from December argues the city has been diligently exercising its legal duty to protect whistleblowers and to investigate claims, and that to do otherwise compromises “the public’s perception of, and confidence in, its police department.”
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Attorney Colin G. Bell, who has represented Beu in the administrative court appeal, called the commission decision a “complete victory.” The same order also directs Vineland to pay legal costs for Beu, he noted.
“The City of Vineland has foolishly spent hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars on legal fees trying to fire Beu on baseless charges,” Bell said. “Unfortunately, we anticipate it will only continue to waste tax dollars pursuing further appeals of this decision and other bogus charges against Beu,” adding the chief “looks forward to continuing to serve the people of Vineland.”
Vineland did not immediately issue a response to the commission vote.
The commission decision supports Calemmo’s ruling that witnesses didn’t prove Beu did anything wrong in using the Internal Affairs process.
Under state law, the Civil Service Commission must review an administrative law judge’s initial decision. It may accept it as is, modify it, or reject it. After that decision is made, a case still can be challenged in the state Appellate Court Division.
Brown & Connery, the Westmont law firm representing Vineland, last month filed “exceptions” or challenges to the initial decision.
One exception, claiming the timeline for an initial decision was not followed, was rejected by the commission.
Another objected to Vineland being required to continue paying Beu during his termination trial. That requirement was effective as of April 30, 2023.
“It is nothing but a taxpayer-funded, zero-interest loan which is arbitrarily provided after 180 days of the pendency of a terminated police officer’s appeal,” the city claims.
In response, the commission decision states the requirement to pay the salary is by statute.
Bell has previously said he expects the city to challenge the ruling in the state judiciary’s Appellate Division.
The matter of Beu’s demotion remains to be settled separately in administrative court. There also is a case suspended in U.S. District Court while the state administrative law process was underway.
Joe Smith is a N.E. Philly native transplanted to South Jersey 36 years ago, keeping an eye nowon government in South Jersey. He is a former editor and current senior staff writer for The Daily Journal in Vineland, Courier-Post in Cherry Hill, and the Burlington County Times.
Have a tip? Reach out at jsmith@thedailyjournal.com. Support local journalism with a subscription.
This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Civil Service orders Vineland to give fired police chief job, back pay
