A City of Bridgeton police officer has been charged with violating an individual’s civil rights and falsifying a record after an assault on the streets of Bridgeton, New Jersey.
John Grier III, 49, of Cedarville, New Jersey, has been indicted for one count of violating an individual’s civil rights and one count of falsifying a record for submitting a false police report about the assault.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court, the incident occurred on June 18, 2017, at a gas station in Bridgeton. Police officers were dispatched to the scene after a report of two males sitting at the gas station yelling at passersby.
When an officer arrived, he found the victim in the driver seat of a car parked by the gas pumps, and another man was sitting in the passenger seat. In response to the radio call, Grier arrived as a back-up officer, and eventually, the driver and passenger were issued summonses, and Grier departed the gas station.
Within minutes, an officer who remained at the gas station radioed for assistance because the driver and passenger had gotten out of the car and approached him before he could drive off. As Grier drove back to the gas station, he grabbed a large can of OC spray and pulled out the pin allowing its use.
Grier sprayed the victim in the face twice after he had been handcuffed, and the victim doubled over. An officer helped the victim up and sat him on the edge of the rear seat of the police SUV. Grier then sprayed the victim for a second time.
Grier returned to the police station to prepare his report in connection with the victim’s arrest. Grier prepared and submitted a false and fraudulent police report in which Grier falsely stated that the victim “refused [to enter the police vehicle] and continued to forcefully remain outside the vehicle,” and, in an attempt to cover up his own actions.
Grier surrendered this morning and was arraigned by videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ann Marie Donio. He was released on $50,000 bond.
Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig stated, “One of the most important responsibilities we hold at the Department of Justice is the responsibility to investigate and prosecute police officers who abuse their power and deprive our citizens of their civil rights. This Office will continue to charge officers, like this defendant, who dishonor their badges by using force when it is neither reasonable nor necessary and thereby fail to live up to their duty to protect the public they serve.”
FBI Newark Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch Jr. said, “Civil Rights violations are of great concern, particularly when the allegations involve a member of law enforcement. The public has an absolute right to trust that law enforcement will protect those they serve and keep them safe. When that trust is violated, it makes it more difficult for our fellow police officers and federal agents to maintain the community’s confidence.”
Mandatory Facts:
Defendant: John Grier III
Criminal Charges: Violating an individual’s civil rights and falsifying a record
City and State: Bridgeton, New Jersey
Crime Date: June 18, 2017
Sentence or Outcome: Released on $50,000 bond, awaiting trial
Dollar Amounts: $50,000 bond
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- John Smith, Burglary, New Jersey 1971 · New Jersey
- John Smith, Violent Crime, New Jersey 2004 · New Jersey
- John Campbell, Embezzlement, New Jersey 2020 · New Jersey
Key Facts
- State: New Jersey
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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