The Jersey Shore police chief whose scuffle with a subordinate was caught on camera and where he was slammed on the hood of a car is scheduled to retire on Friday, six months earlier than planned, officials announced.
Bradley Beach Police Chief Leonard Guida said last week that his department has come under increasing criticism. Local news station TAPINTO releases body camera video In the November 9 incident, a visibly inebriated Guida was seen stumbling unsteadily towards a drunk-driving accident while scolding his sergeant.
The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office opened an investigation into the chief’s conduct, and the district suspended him at an annual salary of $202,000.
Now, it appears Guida’s actions that night will end his career as well.
“[The prosecutor’s] “The report has been completed and action was taken based on recommendations from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office,” Mayor Larry Fox said in a statement Monday.
“I would like to thank Chief Guida for his more than 40 years of service to our borough,” Fox continued. “Under his leadership, our community has become a safer place to live.”
The announcement came just days after explosive body camera footage surfaced showing Guida and Sgt. After Guida questions the Major about why the writing on his jacket came off, Major William gets into a heated argument.
“Why did you wear a jacket you can’t wear?” Guida asked during the recording. “Take that away. That’s ridiculous. Fortunately, you’re a sergeant.”
The Major took off his jacket and walked back to the wrecked car. But Guida didn’t stop there and called for the Major to come back. When the sergeant ignored him, Guida followed him and grabbed his arm.
“Don’t touch me!” the major yelled, grabbing the chief by the shaking chest and throwing him onto the hood of the police cruiser. “Don’t touch me! Is something wrong? You’ve got me! Get out of here before you get into trouble.”
He then lifts Guida out of the car and shoves her, the video shows, before his boss mutters that he’s “drunk again.”
Guida began telling other officers to “take him,” but the major responded again by trying to shoo him away.
“Chief, get out of here or you’ll be locked up,” the major said. “Chief, I’m going to be locked up. You’ve got me, I’ve asked you three times to leave me alone. You’re interfering with my DWI… you’ve got me. You. It was insane. It’s on video. I’m not going to argue.”
Guida suspended him on the spot, according to the footage. However, the Major has since returned to his duties, although Guida remains on the sidelines.
Meanwhile, residents of the small seaside town just south of Asbury Park took it upon themselves to demand Mr. Guida’s removal.
“We believe that his continued retention in this position is detrimental to the police department, the well-being of our community, and our confidence in law enforcement,” said resident Beth.・Mr. Kepler said. wrote in an online petition.
Kepler also blamed Foxx and the town’s business manager, saying town residents did not trust the two to handle the situation appropriately.
“This lack of transparency undermines public trust and erodes the very fabric of democratic governance,” Kepler wrote.
Several ward assembly members I agree with her statementAccording to TAPinto, one person said the mayor “kept the City Council in the dark about this investigation,” while another said Fox usurped the power of the City Council by giving him exclusive control over decisions regarding Mr. Guida’s future. he added.
In a statement obtained by the news station, City Council President Jane DeNoble said, “Despite the City Council’s efforts to communicate, Mayor Foxx and his administration have not reviewed the prosecutor’s report and made any decisions. “They ignored our numerous requests to convene an executive committee meeting to participate in the process.” .
“Clearly, Mayor Foxx has no intention of including the City Council in making decisions, and once again we, the taxpayers, will have to foot the bill.”
Fox did not respond to a request for comment on the allegations.
