Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino today announced that an Essex County Grand Jury returned a four-count indictment charging Police Detective Angel Pared, 28, of Newark with using excessive force in the arrest of a 15-year-old male juvenile.
It is alleged that on March 24, 2010, at approximately 10 p.m., Detective Pared assaulted the 15-year-old and then subsequently arrested the young man in the vicinity of 55 Spruce Street in Newark. Detective Pared’s conduct was captured by a video surveillance camera.
The indictment further alleges that Detective Pared made false statements in his police reports following the incident.
The indictment charges Pared with one count of aggravated assault (a third degree offense); one count of official misconduct for using excessive force (a second degree offense); one count of tampering with public records (a third degree offense); and one count of official misconduct for falsifying police reports (a second degree offense).
“Police officers in Newark and every community in Essex County are dedicated to serving and protecting the community. Any allegation of police misconduct will be taken very seriously by this office,’’ said Acting Prosecutor Laurino. “We will investigate and, when appropriate, prosecute wrongdoing. The public deserves no less. The public must have confidence in law enforcement. Anything that undermines that confidence has to be dealt with swiftly and effectively.’’
Newark Police Director Garry McCarthy said, “The Newark Police Department is committed to ensuring that each of our officers maintains the fine traditions of this agency, providing professional police services to the public. This agency will maintain a zero tolerance policy for any actions that jeopardize or tarnish the public’s trust. At the conclusion of this joint investigation there will be a determination made on the officers’ actions at which time the appropriate disciplinary and/or corrective measures will be taken.’’
The investigation was handled by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Professional Standards Bureau and Newark Police Department’s Internal Affairs Unit.
Pared, who was suspended without pay, has been with the Newark Police Department since 2006. He graduated from the Police Academy in September 2006, Class 111th.
The charges are merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
