Public Disciplinary Hearings Conclude for Sgt. Diana Golonek in Saddle River
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Saddle River NJ, the high-profile disciplinary hearings for Police Sgt. Diana Golonek have concluded, with a final decision now resting in the hands of Hearing Officer Fredric Knapp. After five days of proceedings and 36 hours of testimony, Knapp will render a decision in the coming months on the proposed 90-day suspension facing the 12-year veteran.
The disciplinary action stems from Golonek’s alleged falsification of an October 24, 2023 incident report filed by probationary Officer Greg Bulick. Golonek reportedly altered and removed parts of Bulick’s report without proper attribution, leading to charges from department leadership. However, Golonek and her legal team argue that the case is about retaliation and gender discrimination, not departmental integrity.
What Happens Next?
Following the close of hearings on April 22, a schedule was outlined for the decision-making process:
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4 days to deliver transcripts
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45 days for attorney summations
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10 days for responses
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30 days for Knapp’s ruling
That totals an estimated 89 days before a final outcome is announced.
Inside the Allegations and Defense
Golonek did not testify during the hearings, but her legal team, led by attorney Gina Mendola, asserts that the disciplinary charges are retaliation for a tort notice filed in July 2023, followed by a September 2024 complaint alleging a pattern of sexism and bullying within the Saddle River Police Department.
A similar complaint was recently filed by former Officer Maryan Beskaly, adding to claims that women in the department were treated unfairly and excluded from decision-making processes.
Chief Cosgriff Stands Firm on Policy Violation
Police Chief Jason Cosgriff, a key witness throughout the hearings, spent over 90 minutes detailing department policy. He insisted that Golonek’s actions were a severe breach of protocol and dismissed the idea that gender bias or retaliation were at play.
“If Bulick did this to Golonek, I would have fired him,” Cosgriff declared, pushing back against Mendola’s claims.
Cosgriff pointed to an alleged confrontation between Golonek and Det. Michael Cooper, suggesting that the fallout from that exchange may have influenced her decision to alter the report. The dispute involved chain-of-command disagreements and Golonek feeling undermined in her supervisory role.
What the Call Was About
The original call involved the involuntary commitment of a patient at Brighton Gardens senior facility. Golonek changed the classification in the report to a “medical transfer,” thereby removing the requirement for a firearms check — a decision Cosgriff said was not hers to make.
Officer Bulick testified that some of Golonek’s edits were accurate, but he expressed concern about changes made after shift change without his review or acknowledgment. Not all of his observations were preserved, and he was not always consulted about the revisions.
Broader Claims of Gender Bias Surface
During the hearings, former Officer Maryan Beskaly reiterated her own experiences with report edits made without her knowledge. Sgt. Jeffrey Wells testified that Golonek was treated differently than male officers. Sgt. John Latka, who edited Beskaly’s reports, was also called as a rebuttal witness but provided vague and non-committal responses about consulting her on edits.
What’s Next for Sgt. Golonek and Saddle River PD?
The outcome of the case could have broader implications, not just for Sgt. Golonek’s career, but for the Saddle River Police Department’s reputation and internal policies. With additional lawsuits pending, concerns about workplace discrimination and procedural consistency remain in the spotlight.
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