Roselle Police Chief Stacey Williams is a political lynching victim, who is being pushed out of his job over unsubstantiated accusations that the political establishment has used to initiate an unjust suspension and apply pressure for his potential termination without a fair and impartial investigation.
As we reported on September 21, 2023, Williams was secretly suspended with pay in order to head off a potential disclosure of criminal behavior among political insiders. Williams has steadfastly refused to play politics with the case.
Council President Brandon Bernier, Councilwoman Denise Wilkerson, Mayor Donald Shaw, and the rest of Senator Joe Cryan’s political cronies in the community are apparently tired of waiting for a fair process with an impartial investigation to be conducted to uncover the truth and ensure that justice prevails.
Last week, borough officials stripped him of his paycheck and upped the ante in his fight for justice by sharing another reason for the personnel action with NJ Advance Media aimed at drawing attention away from their true motive.
The publication dutifully reported on Williams’ suspension and attributed his potential termination to unverified allegations of making “graphic homophobic remarks” without specifying the nature or context of such comments.
“The allegations are political in nature,” said Cranford attorney Randy P. Davenport, who is representing Williams.
This episode has sparked outrage among those who know Williams and raises serious questions about the fairness of the process, some suggesting it is reminiscent of a political lynching, where individuals are unfairly targeted and condemned without proper evidence or due process.
Former Mayor Christine Dansereau, who is openly gay, expressed shock and disbelief at the accusations against Williams.
“I am a little bit devasted for him,” said Dansereau, who is in a long-term relationship, whose partner of 29 years worked with Williams for a decade as a parking enforcement officer. “My partner and I have dealt with him always with respect and never felt uncomfortable around him.”
“You’re talking about a man who spent his life committed to service, who never showed a single sign of disrespect,” said Dansereau.
“They say trust is built over time. You don’t just trust somebody,” said Dansereau, who expressed her confidence in the beleaguered police chief.
NJ Today has learned that the remarks attributed to Williams originated as allegations from Roselle Police Lieutenant Delmonte Pryor, the only openly gay officer on the 50-member department.
The accusations against Williams lack specificity and context, leaving ample room for manipulation and misinterpretation but the news report published by the company that owns the Star-Ledger and NJ.com was presented with just enough authority to be believed by a gullible and unsuspecting public.
Pryor, 37, of Sayreville, has been a member of the Roselle Police Department for 17 years and he was president of the Roselle PBA from December 2014 through December 2016, when he was promoted from patrolman to sergeant.
The 2004 Woodbridge High School graduate studied Criminal Justice and Corrections at Monmouth University for two years before he was hired by the Roselle Police Department, which was also before he ‘came out’ but sources say his sexuality has not hindered his acceptance and advancement.
Peter Paris, the attorney representing the Roselle PBA, called for Williams’ dismissal, citing the alleged conduct as reprehensible. However, without clear evidence or a fair investigation, such calls for termination are premature and unjust.
NJ Advance Media reported that Roselle’s top law enforcement officer was suspended for allegedly making “graphic homophobic remarks to his officers,” quoting Paris without sharing any specific quotes or a contextual description of the situation.
Davenport suggested that the PBA lawyer’s remarks come close to defamation, but it is difficult to win a case and the top cop can merely retire without subjecting his family to and extended loss of income and the rigors of a civil trial.
Dansereau attested to the Chief’s respectful demeanor and the trust he earned from the community over the years, and she suggested that Pryor is friends with Police Captain Helder Freire, who was named acting police chief by the Borough Council.
Freire stands to gain a promotion if Williams is terminated or retires.
“In a 30-year career without hint or allegation that he’s ever been racist, bigoted, or homophobic it’s hard to credit a claim that he’s done anything like he is accused of,” said Dansereau. “You never know for sure, but my experience is, knowing Stacey, he never treated anybody with disrespect and it’s hard to believe he would ever do anything like this.”
Without concrete quotes or a detailed account of the alleged remarks, it is unjust to tarnish Williams’ decades-long career based on vague hearsay.
In our September report, Dansereau said municipal staff were being terminated or forced out of their jobs so that they may be replaced by less qualified, politically connected people.
“This has been orchestrated by Councilman (Brandon) Bernier and Councilwoman Denise Wilkerson with the blessing of the Mayor and the rest of the supporting council,” said Dansereau. “The motive is very Basic….Power and Greed.”
One observer pointed out the disturbing parallels between Williams’ situation and a modern-day lynching in Roselle, a part of racist Senator Joe Cryan’s political fiefdom.
This lynching imagery is not to be taken lightly, as it underscores the severity of the injustice being perpetrated against Williams.
Chief Williams’ record speaks volumes about his dedication and service to the Roselle community. His ascent through the ranks based on merit and professionalism is a testament to his commitment to upholding the law and serving with integrity.
Dansereau said the suspension of Williams without pay and the initiation of termination proceedings reek of political maneuvering and ulterior motives.
She believes the lack of transparency and due process in handling this matter only adds to the sense of injustice and unfairness.
The Roselle Borough Council’s silence on the issue and the absence of a thorough investigation further exacerbate concerns about the integrity of the process. Mayor Donald Shaw and Borough Administrator T. Missy Balmir’s failure to address the situation reflects poorly on the administration’s commitment to fairness and justice.
The Borough Council announced the promotion of Williams at the July 21, 2021, council meeting to succeed Brian K. Barnes who retired as Chief of Police.
Williams, a 31-year veteran of the department, began his career in Roselle in 1993 as part of the Safe Streets program. He served for 19 years as a patrolman on the Roselle/Linden Joint Patrol Unit before moving to the narcotics division of the detective bureau in 2004. From there, he was promoted to sergeant in 2012, lieutenant in 2015 and finally captain in 2018.
During his tenure, Williams earned a degree in public administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University and he attended the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police’s New Chiefs Mentoring Program.
“The chief has been doing the best that he could throughout his career,” said Davenport. “Some of the things he wanted to do were unpopular.”
Williams is the latest victim of political insiders, who also forced the Fire Chief to put in for an extended sick leave while they drove off the Business Administrator, Chief Financial Officer, Superintendent of Public Works, Building Inspector, Zoning Officer, and Code Enforcement Supervisor.
Williams commanded the police force through some tough times, but he spoke eloquently about the tragic death of Tyre Nichols at the hands of Memphis police officers who brutally beat him after he was pulled over for what should have been a routine traffic stop.
“The brutality suffered by Tyre Nichols and the failure of any of these individuals to intervene is sickening and leaves everyone, including police officers, infuriated and outraged,” said Williams. “The Roselle Police Department remains committed to working with the entire community including advocacy organizations, elected officials, to continue to ensure security and justice for all.”
“It looks like Police Chief Stacey Williams is the latest lynching victim in Joe Cryan’s political fiefdom,” said one observer, who asked not to be identified for fear of reprisal.