Professional Standards The Professional Standards Unit is responsible for reviewing Sussex County Sheriff’s Office standard operating procedures that address applicable non-discriminatory policy, the law of arrest, search and seizure, motor vehicle stop enforcement activities, and any other policies deemed necessary to maintain or enhance the practices of the Sheriff’s Office. Data collection and documenting operations audits, including the achieving and maintaining the New Jersey State Chiefs of Police State accreditation certification are also under the purview of the unit. The unit is dedicated to serving the citizens of Sussex County by promoting the development and implementation of law enforcement policies and procedures. The process of collecting, analyzing and publishing data on law enforcement practice promotes departmental integrity and allows law enforcement agencies the ability to self-assess and to continue to promote effective and unbiased policing. Internal Affairs It is the policy of the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office to accept and investigate all complaints of agency and employee alleged misconduct or wrongdoing from any citizen, agency employee or any other sources, including anonymous sources. Following a thorough and impartial examination of the available factual information, a conclusion will be determined and the employee shall be either exonerated or held responsible for the alleged misconduct. Discipline shall be administered according to the degree of misconduct. Officers and employees, regardless of rank/position, shall be subject to disciplinary action for violating their oath and trust. Committing an offense punishable under the laws of the United States, the State of New Jersey, or county constitutes a violation of that oath and trust. Employees are also subject to disciplinary action for the willful or negligent failure to perform the duties of their rank or assignment. In addition, employees may be disciplined for violation of any rule or regulation of the agency or for failure to obey any lawful instruction, order, or command of a superior officer or supervisor. Disciplinary action in all matters will be determined based upon the merits of each case. Officers conducting the investigation of any allegation of misconduct shall strive to conduct a thorough and objective investigation respecting the rights of the principal, any other law enforcement officer, and all members of the public. Accordingly, any supervisor and any officer who may be called upon to conduct an internal investigation must be thoroughly familiar with the agency’s internal affairs policy. This policy has been developed in accordance with the New Jersey Attorney General’s guidelines on internal affairs. If you have any questions or need more information, please contact our Internal Affairs unit at 973.579.0850, ext. 2109. Sussex County Sheriff’s Office Internal Affairs 39 High Street Newton NJ 07860 Compliments and Complaints To effectively manage the performance of our officers, we like to be informed of any commendable conduct so that we can acknowledge them for a job well done and reinforce this kind of work performance. To submit a compliment, please utilize the “Contact Us” section at the bottom of any page. We treat all complaints equally regardless of whether or not they are filled out anonymously or with a name. However, please keep in mind that we can investigate best when we have all available information and have the ability to contact you with further questions, if needed. Internal Affairs Complaint Forms are available below in 11 different languages. Internal Affairs complaint forms may be submitted in person or by mail to the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office, 39 High Street, Newton NJ, 07860 during business hours. Alternatively, the complaint form may be submitted by calling (973) 579-0850 ext. 2109, or electronically via e-email to the Internal Affairs Unit here . Body Worn Cameras In compliance with the New Jersey Attorney General Issues Directive 2021-5 requiring notifying the public of the type of body cameras this agency is utilizing, the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office is currently utilizing Safe Fleet body worn cameras. See photographs below of our uniform as well as plain clothes officers. ComplimentsComplaints Public Announcement In compliance with Attorney General Grewal's Directive 2020-5 and Directive 2021-6 , which require law enforcement agencies to begin to publish, at least once a year, a brief synopsis of all complaints resulting in major discipline—defined as termination, reduction in rank or grade, and/or suspension of more than five days—including the names of the officers sanctioned, the Sussex County Sheriff's Office reports that no officers have received major discipline between June 15, 2020 and December 31, 2020. Downloads Internal Affairs Personnel Early Warning System Law Enforcement Drug Testing Policy Interacting with the Immigrant Community Policy Recruitment and Diversity Plan 2025 Annual Internal Affairs Summary 2025 Annual Major Discipline Reporting 2024 Annual Internal Affairs Summary 2024 Annual Major Discipline Reporting 2023 Annual Internal Affairs Summary 2023 Annual Major Discipline Reporting 2022 Annual Internal Affairs Summary 2022 Annual Major Discipline Reporting 2021 Annual Internal Affairs Summary 2021 Annual Major Discipline Reporting 2020 Professional Standards Summary Report 2019 Professional Standards Summary Report 2018 Professional Standards Summary Report Complaint Forms: Internal Affairs Reporting Forms - English Internal Affairs Reporting Forms - Arabic Internal Affairs Reporting Forms - Chinese Internal Affairs Reporting Forms - Haitian Internal Affairs Reporting Forms - Hindi Internal Affairs Reporting Forms - Korean Internal Affairs Reporting Forms - Polish Internal Affairs Reporting Forms - Portuguese Internal Affairs Reporting Forms - Spanish Internal Affairs Reporting Forms - Tagalog Internal Affairs Reporting Forms - Vietnamese

SLAP The Sussex County Sheriff’s Office offers the Sheriffs Labor Assistance Program (SLAP) to certain non-violent offenders sentenced to a term supervised by the Sussex Sheriff’s Office. This program has been highly successful and is explained in sections listed below. Sheriff’s Labor Assistance Program (SLAP) The SLAP program is a community-based labor program that provides a structured alternative to incarceration for persons sentenced by Sussex County Courts. Persons sentenced to SLAP are able to pay their dept to society by performing moderate levels of manual labor. This enables them to maintain employment, provide for their families and continue to be productive members of society while satisfying their sentence. Offenders are prudently screened and only those with nonviolent, minor offenses are admitted into the program. Participants are required to follow all rules and regulations or face having their SLAP sentence revoked. At that time, they may be required to serve the remainder of their sentence in jail. SLAP participants provide non-skilled manual labor to nonprofit public and private agencies at no cost. Many organizations within Sussex County use the program regularly. SLAP participants are supervised by armed Officers at all times and are never left at jobs sites without supervision. Work that cannot be done by SLAP participants: SLAP does not work at private companies, personal homes or areas that are deemed unsafe by Sheriff's Office personnel. SLAP participants are not allowed to operate power tools such as chain saws and riding lawnmowers. Participants are not allowed to climb ladders that are over 10 feet off the ground. Participants cannot enter rivers, lakes or other bodies of water. Participants cannot remove poison ivy, oak, sumac, etc. Nonprofit Sussex County agencies seeking to enlist SLAP participants for a specified project must submit all requests in writing on organization letterhead. The request should detail the work that you would like done, where it is located and who the contact person is. Written requests should be sent to the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office at 39 High Street, Newton, NJ 07860. All jobs must be checked prior to starting; a representative from the SLAP program will check the job site prior to beginning a project. You will also be required to fill out a work request form stating the type of services requested, that form will be provided by the Officer who will contact you for final approval. Please note the following: SLAP does not dispose of garbage collected; it is the requesting agency’s responsibility to arrange for pickup. All equipment that is needed for a job has to be provided by the requesting agency (i.e., rakes, shovels, push mowers, garbage bags etc.). For further information about SLAP, contact Corporal James Aumick or Corporal Brian Snyder at 973-579-0875 ext. 2307

Four members of the sheriff’s office were recently recognized for their service. < Back Sheriff Strada presents awards to officers Four members of the sheriff’s office were recently recognized for their service. Previous Next Sheriff Michael F. Strada recently recognized and awarded several members of the Sheriff’s Office Bureau of Corrections with honors for their respective service. Corrections Officer William Martin was presented with the Sheriff’s Meritorious Service Award for his actions in rendering medical aid to the victims of a motor vehicle accident he witnessed while off duty. The Sheriff’s Meritorious Service Award is awarded to officers who have performed a highly unusual accomplishment under adverse conditions with some degree of hazard to life and limb. On January 8, 2013, Officer Martin’s father, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) William Martin, Sr. who was a member of the Stillwater Emergency Rescue Squad, was operating an ambulance in Stillwater Township, transporting a severely burned patient to a medical evacuation area to be airlifted. While driving, Mr. Martin suffered a sudden and massive heart attack. Realizing he was having some sort of coronary incident, EMT Martin quickly told the paramedics in the rear of the vehicle to “hold on” and attempted to pull off the road. He was unable to maintain control of the vehicle, however, and subsequently crashed into a pole resulting in downed electrical wires hanging over the ambulance. Officer Martin, who was coincidentally nearby at the time of the accident, heard the sound of the collision and ran to the crash site to render aid, unaware that one of the victims was his father. Upon arrival, he assessed the scene and, disregarding his personal safety, entered the ambulance to determine the level of injury of those inside. It was at that point that Officer Martin realized who the driver was. Upon verifying that the paramedics in the rear of the vehicle were not seriously injured, Officer Martin assisted in removing his father from the wrecked vehicle. After checking his pulse and determining him to be unresponsive, Officer Martin then performed CPR on EMT Martin in the roadway until he was relieved. EMT Martin was transported to Newton Medical Center with CPR in progress. Unfortunately, despite Officer Martin’s valiant efforts, EMT Martin did not regain consciousness and was pronounced dead at the hospital. Officer William Martin has served in the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office Bureau of Corrections since January 2013. Corrections Officer Jeremy Locke was presented with the Sheriff’s Meritorious Service Award for his actions in restraining a resistant and extremely violent inmate. On June 23, 2013 Officer Locke was escorting an unruly prisoner back to his cell. Upon arriving at the cell, the inmate refused to enter and struck Officer Locke near his right eye also causing injury to his nose. Officer Locke was knocked down and his vision momentarily impaired. Officer Locke sustained several facial fractures, severe bleeding from his nose, and serious damage to the bones surrounding his eye. Despite these injuries, Officer Locke immediately got back up and assisted another officer in restraining the inmate before he could cause additional harm to others. Officer Jeremy Locke has served in the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office Bureau of Corrections since February 2008. Sergeant James Milnor , Corrections Officer Kyle Keller and Corrections Officer William Martin were each presented with the Sheriff’s Honorable Service Award for their actions in thwarting an inmate from attempting suicide. The Sheriff’s Honorable Service Award is awarded to a member of the Sheriff’s Office who performs a creditable act in the line of duty which meets some, but not all the requirements for other medals, unusual in nature, showing initiative and accomplishment. On May 4, 2013, Corrections Officer Keller responded to a request for assistance for an inmate attempting suicide. Upon arrival, Officer Keller observed one of the inmates attempting to hang himself with a noose fashioned from a bedsheet. Officer Keller entered the inmate’s cell and immediately lifted him up off the ground to release the tension and prevent further strangulation. Shortly thereafter, Officer Martin arrived and assisted Keller in lifting the inmate while Sergeant Milnor cut the noose. The inmate was then medically evaluated, placed on a suicide watch and transferred to another area of the facility. The actions of Sergeant Milnor, Officer Keller and Officer Martin unquestionably prevented the inmate from successfully taking his own life. Sergeant James Milnor has served in the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office Bureau of Corrections since May 2003. Officer Kyle Keller has served in the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office Bureau of Corrections since May 2010. Sheriff Strada congratulates each of these officers, thanks them for their service, and wishes them continued success in their careers.

Arrested: James Sanford, age 38, of Stanhope, NJ and Torey Posey, age 34, of Newton, NJ. < Back Two warrant arrests in the probation department Arrested: James Sanford, age 38, of Stanhope, NJ and Torey Posey, age 34, of Newton, NJ. Previous Next On Wednesday, October 24, 2012, while assigned to the Sussex County Probation Department, Sheriff’s Officer Joseph Cahill encountered James Sanford. Knowing Sanford to be the subject of an outstanding Superior Court arrest warrant, Sheriff’s Officer Cahill placed him under arrest and transported him to the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office for processing. Sanford was subsequently lodged in the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility without bail. Later that day, Sheriff’s Officer Cahill encountered Torey Posey. Knowing Posey to be the subject of an active arrest warrant out of Sparta Municipal Court, Sheriff’s Officer Cahill immediately placed Posey under arrest. He was transported to the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office where he was processed and then lodged in the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility in lieu of $1,500 bail.

Arrested: Patrick Storey, age 19, of Wantage Township, NJ. < Back Teenager arrested for DWI in Wantage Township Arrested: Patrick Storey, age 19, of Wantage Township, NJ. Previous Next On Saturday, September 1, 2012, while assigned to traffic enforcement within Wantage Township, Sheriff’s Officer Samantha Schilling observed a motor vehicle being operated by Patrick Storey failing to maintain his lane of traffic. Officer Schilling stopped the vehicle and, after observing Storey attempt to perform several field sobriety tests, determined him to be intoxicated. Storey was taken into custody and transported to the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office where he was processed and released. He was issued summonses for the following offenses: driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, failure to maintain lane and impeding traffic. Storey was released pending a future date to appear in Wantage Township Municipal Court.

Sussex County Sheriff’s Office K9 Nutmeg has received a donation of body armor. < Back Sheriff’s K9 receives donated vest Sussex County Sheriff’s Office K9 Nutmeg has received a donation of body armor. Previous Next Sussex County Sheriff’s Office K9 Nutmeg has received a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from the non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. Thi s specific vest was sponsored by William Haas of Bloomingburg, NY and embroidered with the sentiment “In memory of Petey and Lucky.” Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c(3) charity located in East Taunton, MA whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. The non-profit was established in 2009 to assist law enforcement agencies with this potentially lifesaving body armor for their four-legged K9 officers. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. over 3,800 U.S. made, custom fitted, NIJ certified protective vests in 50 states, through private and corporate donations, at a value of $6.9 million dollars. The program is open to dogs actively employed in the U.S. with law enforcement or related agencies who are certified and at least 20 months of age. New K9 graduates, as well as K9s with expired vests, are eligible to participate. The donation to provide one protective vest for a law enforcement K9 is $950.00. Each vest has a value between $1,744 - $2,283, and a five-year warranty and an average weight of 4-5 lbs. There is an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States. For more information or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call 508-824-6978. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts tax-deductible donations of any denomination via its website or mailed to P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, MA 02718.

Arrested: Christopher J. Fiorenza, age 25, of Vernon Township, NJ. < Back Vernon man arrested attempting to defraud drug test Arrested: Christopher J. Fiorenza, age 25, of Vernon Township, NJ. Previous Next On Thursday, January 15, 2015, while assigned to the Sussex County Probation Department, Sheriff’s Officer Justin McCann was advised by probation staff that probationer Christopher Fiorenza was attempting to provide a fraudulent urine sample. Officer McCann responded to their location and, following a brief investigation, discovered Fiorenza to be in possession of a device commonly used to defraud court-ordered drug screens. Officer McCann immediately arrested Fiorenza and he was subsequently transported to the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office where he was charged with defrauding the administration of a drug test, a third degree crime. Fiorenza was issued a summons to appear in court at a future date and released on his own recognizance. Lieutenant Larry Beller and Sheriff’s Officer William Lunger assisted in the arrest.

Two separate sales are scheduled for December. < Back Upcoming sheriff's sales of assets Two separate sales are scheduled for December. Previous Next Docket #SSX -L-489-10 Tamara and Darrell Russian vs Alessi Moving and Storage Inc., Charles Alessandrini, Highlands Self Storage, LLC, Jonathan Brett (individually and trading as Highlands Self Storage), JFB Enterprises LLC On Tuesday, December 4, 2012 at 11:00 a.m., the following property will be sold at a public sale on the premises of D & E Service Center, 726 US Highway 206, Andover, NJ: 2001 Isuzu Box Truck VIN JALE5B14417902663 white in color Docket #FM 19-39-05 Richard Gannon vs Lauren Russell On Tuesday, December 11, 2012 Tuesday, January 8, 2013 Thursday, January 17, 2013 at 10:00 a.m., the following assets will be sold at a public sale on the premises of AA-1 Storage located at 155 Brooks Flat Rd, Ogdensburg, NJ: One 1998 Caterpillar 320B Excavator, Vin 4MR00432 One John Deere 450E Dozer, Vin # T0450EC742076 One 1998 Caterpillar 312B, Excavator Vin # 9HR02433 All items are sold in an ‘as is’ condition. Purchaser must pay purchase price at the time of sale in cash or certified check made payable to the Sussex County Sheriff and remove the items following the sale. The sheriff reserves the right to adjourn these sales; the foregoing scheduled dates are subject to change. For more information. contact the Civil Process Unit at 973.579.0850.

Arrested: Steven Moyet, age 27, of Hamburg, NJ. < Back USMC deserter arrested at courthouse Arrested: Steven Moyet, age 27, of Hamburg, NJ. Previous Next On Thursday, September 5, 2013, while assigned to courtroom security at the Sussex County Superior Court courthouse in Newton, Sheriff’s Officer William Ficacci encountered Steven Moyet. Believing Moyet to be the subject of an outstanding federal warrant, Officer Ficacci detained him until the warrant could be confirmed. While waiting for the warrant to be confirmed, Sheriff’s Detective William Lunger arrived to assist. Further investigation revealed Moyet had deserted from the United States Marine Corps several months earlier. Upon confirmation of the warrant, Moyet was immediately arrested and transported to the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office for processing. Steven Moyet was lodged without bail in the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility and he remained there until September 10, 2013, whereupon he was returned to the care and custody of the United States Marine Corps military police.

CERT Join the Sussex County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and become better prepared to respond to emergency situations right here in your own community. Members of Sussex County’s CERT give critical support to first responders in emergencies, provide immediate assistance to victims, organize spontaneous volunteers at a disaster site, and collect disaster intelligence to support first responder efforts. CERT members receive training in the following areas: disaster preparedness disaster fire suppression medical operations light search and rescue operations disaster psychology and team organization terrorism and CERT disaster simulation Total basic training is usually about 24 hours, scheduled in 2-1/2 hour modules over a period of weeks. Training courses, materials and equipment are provided free of charge. To become a CERT member, you must be at least 18 years of age. For more information, contact CERT coordinator Eric Muller at 973.579.0380, ext. 2536. New Jersey Office of Emergency Management CERT web site »

Arrested: Cheryl E. Semiz, age 19, of Hopatcong, NJ. < Back Hopatcong woman arrested for faking urine test Arrested: Cheryl E. Semiz, age 19, of Hopatcong, NJ. Previous Next On Monday, May 21, 2012, Sheriff’s Officer Matt Maines was advised by probation officers that a female probationer had attempted to fake a urine test after reporting for probation. Sheriff’s Officer Maines located Ms. Cheryl Semiz in the Sussex County Probation Department and, after a brief investigation, arrested her and transported her to the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office. Semiz was charged with defrauding the administration of a court ordered drug test. She was issued a summons to appear at a future date in Newton Municipal Court and released.

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