Rigged for Friends? Longtime Bergen County Cop Sues Chief Over ‘Passed Over’ Promotions
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Paramus NJ, A explosive new lawsuit is shaking up the Paramus Police Department. A veteran officer claims that the department’s promotion process is deeply rigged, favoring friends and family associates of leadership over qualified, senior staff.
Michael Boccher Sr., a Parsippany resident who has served with the Paramus Police Department since 2004, filed the formal complaint in Bergen County Superior Court. The lawsuit names the Borough of Paramus, the Paramus Police Department, and Police Chief Robert Guidetti, alleging severe violations of the New Jersey Civil Rights Act and the Law Against Discrimination.
Passed Over Four Years in a Row
According to court records, Boccher applied for a promotion to sergeant consecutively in 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026. Despite boasting stellar annual evaluations and being one of the department’s most senior officers, he was bypassed every single time.
The legal papers break down a pattern of alleged favoritism:
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2023: Six officers were promoted to sergeant—five of whom were junior to Boccher.
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2024: Three less senior officers were advanced ahead of him.
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2026: Two younger, less senior officers received promotions while Boccher was denied.
Boccher argues that this process directly violates both New Jersey state law and Paramus municipal code requirements, relying heavily on subjective biases rather than objective merit and seniority.
“Tighten Up and Do the Job”
The suit highlights a January 2025 meeting between Boccher and Chief Robert Guidetti. After asking why he was continually passed over, Chief Guidetti reportedly told him that seniority carries significant weight, advising him to “tighten up and do the job, and the promotion will come.”
Boccher’s filings note he was deeply puzzled by the comment given his exemplary performance record.
Internal Affairs Disciplinary Retaliation?
The tension escalated in December 2025 when Boccher was hit with an Internal Affairs complaint. The offense? He “liked” a Facebook post concerning police accountability.
The social media interaction followed a controversial incident where a different Paramus officer allegedly left a police cruiser unattended in Hackensack. The vehicle—which contained a loaded rifle—was stolen and subsequently crashed.
What’s Next for the Lawsuit?
Paramus adopted a strict anti-nepotism ordinance in 2022 to prevent city officials from hiring relatives, but the lawsuit argues that favoritism remains deeply embedded in the police culture.
Boccher, who is roughly two years away from retirement, is seeking:
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Compensatory and punitive damages
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Back pay and attorneys’ fees
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Restoration of full seniority benefits
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A retroactive promotion to sergeant dating back to 2023
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Paramus NJBergen County NewsParamus Police DepartmentLawsuitNew Jersey LawPolice Promotions
Its not a civil service department so they can do what they want
This is a time-honored tradition in Paramus, and likely in most rinky dink departments in this state. Huge money is at stake for simple promotions and education credits. Why weren’t the names of those who passed this guy up published? I would bet the farm that most are cuginos e cumbaras of entrenched last-gen LEO.