the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Bergen County NJ, Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office detective, Renzo Trapani, has filed a whistleblower lawsuit, claiming he was harassed and retaliated against after speaking out about his son’s permanent injury sustained at the police academy.
Lawsuit Alleges Retaliation & Harassment
According to the lawsuit, Trapani’s son, Nicholas Trapani, was training to become a Hackensack police officer in July 2023 when he suffered a serious accident during academy training. The injury required shoulder surgery and left him suffering from paralysis.
Rather than addressing concerns about academy conditions, Trapani claims his colleagues and superiors at the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office pressured him to remain silent. The lawsuit alleges that he was:
- Harassed and shunned in the workplace
- Ignored during employee introductions
- Subjected to a hostile work environment
Physical & Emotional Toll on Trapani
Trapani says the alleged workplace retaliation has taken a significant toll on his mental and physical health, leading to:
- Anxiety and stress
- Weight fluctuations
- Heart palpitations
- Digestive issues
Allegations of the ‘Blue Wall of Silence’
Trapani claims that, because the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office oversees the county police academy, his efforts to hold the institution accountable were met with hostility. The lawsuit alleges that he was accused of breaking the “blue wall of silence”—a term referring to the unspoken code among law enforcement officers to protect one another from scrutiny.
His suit states that officials expected him to “remain silent like a made mob member in La Cosa Nostra.”
Son’s Separate Lawsuit Over Academy Conditions
Nicholas Trapani filed a separate lawsuit in January 2024, alleging that he suffered heatstroke during training and spent three days in the hospital. Reports suggest cadets were restricted from food and water during extreme 90-degree conditions.
Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Responds
While the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that Trapani is still employed as a detective, they declined to comment on the lawsuit.
Following the allegations, police academy classes were suspended in January 2024 but later resumed amid an investigation.
Ongoing Legal Battle
Trapani is seeking damages for what he claims is retaliation and mistreatment. The case raises serious questions about police academy safety standards and the culture of silence within law enforcement.
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Amazing, I totally agree. They are definitely dirty up top.
God bless our cops.
Trapani didn’t have what it takes. No shame in that. But the thin blue line is all that separates you from lawlessness and disorder. We don’t need weaklings with sensitive stomachs weakening our thin blue line. Take the L with some dignity. I hear there’s a library hiring.
Really and what do you know about it. PTC came in, removed everyone and shut down academy. They don’t do that unless you’re found guilty! As far as the kid being fit, saw a pic of the kid online, kid was fit. Do some research before opening that hole in your face. By the way, I retired last year, when are you conducting those interviews? I hear you’re the head librarian in charge.
Yeah, OK it’s not about strength and height anymore. Now it’s about being a puppet.
Good for you for protecting your son!! Read that PTC cleaned house and shut down the academy. They were found guilty end of story. Totally respect cops but there’s many cops I’ve met that shouldn’t be cops and this is a perfect example. Tough guys trying to show off to kids. I guess it makes them feel like real men, but not at the expense of others. This is Bergen county not a combat zone, give me a break with these jerks. Any one that says this kid wasn’t fit is a clown. Just another key broad warrior trying to feel like a man. You guys should all do lunch. Bro, wishing your son a speedy recovery and I hope karma is brutal to these a-holes. They deserve everything they get.