the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Saddle River NJ, the drama continues in Saddle River as public disciplinary hearings stretch on over whether Sgt. Diana Golonek improperly edited an incident report without an officer’s knowledge or permission. After four days of testimony, two additional hearing dates—March 31 and April 1—have been proposed to finally bring the matter to a conclusion.
At the heart of the controversy? A 90-day suspension for Golonek, a 12-year veteran and the only female officer in the borough’s police department.
The Allegations: “Falsifying” an Incident Report?
Golonek is accused of modifying Patrolman Greg Bulick’s report on an involuntary commitment at the Brighton Gardens assisted living facility. While Bulick admits Golonek made some changes with his knowledge, he claims she later added additional edits after their shift ended—without consulting him.
Saddle River Police Chief Jason Cosgriff, whose testimony dominated two recent hearings, sees it as a serious violation. He argues that:
- Grammar and spelling corrections are one thing, but Golonek’s content changes crossed a line.
- Department policy requires all substantial changes be reviewed by the original reporting officer—which did not happen in this case.
- Using bodycam footage to modify another officer’s report violates department rules since footage should only be used in an officer’s own report.
Cosgriff labeled Golonek’s actions a “career-ending infraction” and said he was attempting to avoid that outcome by issuing disciplinary action.
A Double Standard? Witnesses Push Back
However, not everyone agrees with the chief’s stance.
Former Paterson Police Chief and law enforcement consultant Troy Oswald called the department’s handling of the case “inept” and pointed out:
- Multiple officers had experienced unauthorized report edits before.
- The practice was clearly “done throughout the department”—so why is only Golonek being punished?
- Department training materials even state that supervisors should ensure reports are thorough, particularly for probationary officers like Bulick at the time.
Another former officer, Maryan Beskaly, testified that her own reports were changed at least 10 times without her knowledge while she was on probation. She feared retaliation if she spoke out.
Missed Deadlines and a Suspicious Timeline
There’s also a major issue with the department’s timeline.
- The incident occurred on October 24, 2023.
- Golonek was charged on March 11, 2024—119 days later.
- Department policy requires such investigations be completed within 45 days.
Oswald blasted this “completely unacceptable” delay, suggesting the case wasn’t handled properly from the start.
Golonek Fights Back: Retaliation for Speaking Out?
Golonek has chosen to keep her hearings public, arguing that the case is politically motivated.
She claims she had a “pristine and spotless” record until she filed a Notice of Tort Claim against the department in July 2023, alleging bullying and harassment. She believes she “immediately became the target” of orchestrated disciplinary actions—including the Bulick report controversy.
What Happens Next?
With more hearings on the horizon and subpoenas for report records potentially looming, the case is far from over. Will Golonek’s suspension hold, or will this disciplinary hearing expose a deeper issue within the department?
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