A continuation of the public hearing in the termination case against Plainsboro Police Corporal Nicholas Procaccini was expected to continue on Thursday, May 13.
The continuation came after a more than three-month break after hearing officer Robert Czech had to be replaced. He resigned after he was tapped by the governor to be chairman of the state Civil Service Commission.
Apparent negotiations for a potential settlement that halted proceedings in February seemed to have yielded no resolution.
The public hearing process began in October. The department is pursuing Procaccini’s termination based on four charges: he was late for duty; he did not follow protocol when making motor vehicle stops; he violated procedure dealing with sick leave; and he violated policy in using the department’s E-mail system.
Procaccini’s attorney, however, has characterized Procaccini, of South Lane in West Windsor, as a whistleblower. He alleges that the charges are for behavior exhibited by many officers in the department and that his client is being targeted as a result of defending another officer whom he says was terminated for filing a sexual harassment complaint.
That officer, Jennifer Wittmer, has filed her own lawsuit against the township and its police department based on allegations of sexual harassment. Another officer, Jason Mariano, has also filed a claim alleging that, like Procaccini, he was targeted after coming to her defense.
Procaccini was expected to take the stand at the hearing.
