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Captain on leave pending prosecutor's review of case
(by Kathryn A. Burger - June 11, 2008)
Captain Craig Coughlin, of the Park Ridge Police Department, is on administrative leave as the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office reviews allegations lodged against him by his girlfriend.
Coughlin was arrested in the borough on May 19. According to Chief of Police Joseph Madden, the complainant came to headquarters to request a restraining order against Coughlin, a 39-year-old borough resident. “During the process of obtaining a restraining order from the judge, he determined based on her statement, that there was probable cause to file two criminal complaints.” Coughlin has been charged with stalking and making terroristic threats.
After his arrest, he was released on his own recognizance and placed on administrative leave. Technically, it is an unpaid leave. However, Chief Madden explained, “He is currently using his accrued vacation and compensatory time,” and is being paid accordingly.
Coughlin joined the force in 1994 and has come up through the ranks, becoming captain last November. Chief Madden said in the course of his career, Coughlin has earned many commendations for his work.
In
Bergen
County , jurisdictions that bring charges for indictable offenses must refer those cases to the prosecutor’s office. Police departments have some prerogative as to when the cases are referred and it usually done within a week. However, Chief Madden explained, the procedure is quite different when a police officer is the accused. “We have to notify the prosecutor’s office immediately.”
The prosecutor’s office is now reviewing the case, which, according to Chief Madden, will be a lengthy process. If no criminal charges are brought, he said the matter will be remanded back to Park Ridge, but any judicial proceedings that may arise would be not be adjudicated in the borough, but another as-yet-to-be-determined municipality.
As of press time, the prosecutor’s office had not completed its review.
Kathryn A. Burger's e-mail address is burger@northjersey.com.
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