PBA president says officers did nothing wrong to youths

Why is it that the public does not always hear the rest of the story? The media reported that a bias lawsuit was settled against the Manalapan Police Department in the amount of $275,000. What was not clear is that the lawsuit against the two officers and any demands on the police department were dismissed prior to any settlement.

The settlement had nothing to do with officer responsibility. It was about money - what the township's insurance company was or was not willing to spend to defend the officers.

The insurance company only wanted to get out of this lawsuit spending the least amount of money possible. It would have cost much more than $275,000 to defend the officers in a courtroom due to the fees that are involved with hearings, attorneys and a trial.

It is important to understand that Officer Pete Chalfin and Officer Steve Turner had nothing to do with the decision to settle this lawsuit.

The insurance company's decision to settle and cut their losses was made despite the fact that the Manalapan Police Department and the Manalapan Township Committee members believe in the fact that these officers did absolutely nothing wrong.

The Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office investigation also concluded there was no criminal wrongdoing. The only demand made by the police department was that the lawsuit against the individual officers would be dismissed prior to any settlement.

The plaintiffs maintained that the police department establish proper and reasonable sensitivity training and supervision, yet those demands were dropped prior to the settlement of the lawsuit. Why would the plaintiffs agree to drop these demands if they believe these problems still exist in the Manalapan Police Department? Money.

I have had the privilege of working beside Steve and Pete for many years. I am proud to call each a brother officer, proud of their accomplishments in the department and proud of the way they conduct themselves as police officers.

I know these charges would not be substantiated in a court of law if Pete and Steve had their day in court as they both wanted to. If a similar situation occurred today it would be handled no differently. Officers Turner and Chalfin carried out their duties professionally and appropriately without prejudice or regard to race. And now you know the rest of the story.

Samuel R. Britton Jr.

President

Policemen's Benevolent Association

Local 229

Manalapan