Earle suspended the officer a week after the March incident.
The following message is from Gloucester Township Police Chief Harry Earle:
Dear Community Members,
As you are likely aware, a Gloucester Township police officer was charged with assaulting a 13-year-old girl due to slapping her on the side of the head two times.
The incident occurred on March 8, and it was initially investigated that evening by the officer’s supervisor who immediately recognized, as what he believed, behavior that was inconsistent with the training and values of the Gloucester Township Police Department. The supervisor contacted higher-level police command who initiated a full internal affairs investigation under my authority. It is important to know that the initial supervisory review and subsequent internal affairs investigation were generated by the officer’s supervisor and not as a result of any civilian complaints.
The officer was placed on administrative leave while an immediate investigation ensued and then suspended by me on March 15. As the chief of police, I referred this matter to the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office’s Special Prosecutions Unit, who announced yesterday that John Flinn was charged with simple assault.
I am proud that any employee of the Gloucester Township Police Department well understands that they must report any improper conduct. It is clear that all members of the department have the confidence that allegations of conduct that are improper, unlawful, or that do not meet the standards of our guiding principles of honor, integrity, compassion, respect, fairness and courage will be thoroughly investigated and dealt with swiftly.
As with all personnel and internal affairs matters, as well as criminal investigations, there are restrictions on what can and cannot be released. Mayor Mayer and I assure you that as we can release further information to you we will gladly do so.
I am grateful of the relationship that our officers have built with the community, and I am very confident that this incident will in no way will damage that relationship. Our community members should rest assured that this incident was uncovered internally through our own checks and balances system and was not the result of a civilian complaint. This was the Gloucester Township Police Department policing itself, which is the level of professionalism that I demand.
Anyone who has a concern about an officer’s performance or actions may report that issue to Internal Affairs at professionalstandards@gtpolice.com. Officers also greatly appreciate positive feedback regarding their every day hard work and dedication and such messages may be sent to police@gtpolice.com
Thank you for your support,
Harry Earle
Chief of Police
