Chatham suspends, demotes officer who left gun on Westfield sidewalk

CHATHAM BOROUGH-- The Chatham police officer who allegedly left a loaded gun in a backpack on a Westfield sidewalk after a night of drinking has been demoted and suspended, officials said.

Chief Phil Crosson confirmed today that Roy George, a 12-year employee with the department, had been demoted from sergeant to patrolman and had been suspended from work.

Crosson would not comment on the length of George’s suspension, saying it was a private personnel matter.

George did not return a call for comment today.

The incident occurred on around 11 p.m. on Oct. 12, 2009, when Westfield police received a report of an intoxicated man on the street. Police responded, identified the man as George and had a responsible adult take him home.

The next morning, a Sinclair Place resident called to report a green backpack containing a loaded handgun he found in front of his house. Police picked up the pack and in it found a loaded .44-handgun and George’s identification, which stated he was a Chatham police officer. Police contacted George, who picked it up at police headquarters.

George was not charged with any infractions by Westfield police. The incident was initially referred to the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, but later referred back to the borough police department. Chatham police held a disciplinary hearing for George in March regarding the incident.

On April 12, after spending an hour in executive session, the council approved a resolution to demote George and charge him with the costs of the hearing.

Crosson said George’s salary would be downgraded to that of a police officer. According to public records, George earned $102,432 in 2009.

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