Palisades Park Police Department Reclaims Internal Affairs Amid Conspiracy and Whistleblower Allegations
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
PALISADES PARK, NJ – The Palisades Park Police Department (PPPD) has officially regained authority over its Internal Affairs (IA) functions, a major turning point after the unit was taken over by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office (BCPO) back in March.
The BCPO confirmed on October 27th that it had returned full control of the IA workflow to the local department, signaling what town officials are calling a significant restoration of confidence in the PPPD’s leadership and ongoing reform efforts.
The Takeover and the Path to Restoration
The Prosecutor’s unusual decision to temporarily lead all aspects of the PPPD’s Internal Affairs workflow became public during a contentious Borough Council meeting in March. At the time, borough officials stated they were given no advance notice, reasoning, or justification for the takeover.
Palisades Park officials, including Chief George Beck and Mayor Chong “Paul” Kim, see the return of control as validation of the department’s new direction.
“We welcome this development as a sign of restored confidence in our department and the direction we’re heading,” said Chief Beck. “We remain committed to handling internal affairs investigations with the highest standards of integrity, fairness and transparency…”
Chief of Detectives for the BCPO, Matthew J. Finck, also expressed confidence in the local chief: “I am confident that Chief Beck will lead the department with integrity and distinction. We are all fortunate to have a leader with his experience and commitment to public safety at the helm.”
The Shadow of Alleged IA Misconduct
The BCPO’s involvement came amid serious allegations regarding the weaponization of the Internal Affairs division by public officials—accusations that cast a shadow over the department’s previous operations.
- Whistleblower Allegations: The day after the BCPO takeover, Police Officer Michael DeBartolo’s attorney filed a tort notice (intent to sue). The legal document alleges DeBartolo became the target of a “sham Internal Affairs Investigation” for “sick leave abuse” shortly after giving a witness statement to the BCPO regarding an investigation into Mayor Paul Kim.
- Promotion Denied: DeBartolo’s attorney claims the IA probe was a “conspiracy” designed to prevent the officer’s promotion to Sergeant and defeat a whistleblower claim, arguing he was denied the promotion precisely because he cooperated with the BCPO’s investigation.
- Past Lawsuits: These allegations follow previously settled lawsuits filed by retired Police Chief Anthony Espino and recently promoted Lieutenant Christopher Beck, which also claimed that internal affairs investigations were wrongly filed against them or interfered with.
Mayor Kim Vows Accountability
Mayor Kim emphasized the significance of the return to local control, stating it “marks a powerful milestone for our community and our police department.” He committed to continuing the path of reform.
“We’ve committed ourselves to building a culture of accountability and professionalism — and this decision proves that progress is real, promises are being kept, and reform is underway,” said Mayor Kim.
With the BCPO emphasizing continued cooperation, the PPPD is now focused on reinforcing internal accountability and strengthening community trust under its renewed leadership.
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