Chief Robert Farley of the North Bergen Police Department is facing multiple allegations from five officers who say the department has turned into a nightmare workplace under his leadership. The officers have filed notices of intent to sue, accusing Farley of harassment, discrimination, sexual misconduct and retaliation.
Among the most serious claims is an incident from August 2024, when special captain Michael F. Derin says Farley chased him through the office, cornered him and stabbed him in the groin with a hypodermic needle through his jeans. The injury reportedly drew blood. After preparing to report the assault to state officials, Derin says he was fired. His son, a detective, was also reassigned to worse hours.
Please welcome our new Chief of Police, Robert J. Farley, Jr.! A North Bergen native, Chief Farley is committed to enhancing neighborhood safety & improving relationships between law enforcement & the community. He established a Community Relations Unit to further these efforts. pic.twitter.com/KxSQ4Q6BTE
— North Bergen Police Department (@nbpolice) March 13, 2024
Lt. Alex Guzman stated that Farley defecated in the office multiple times, sometimes doing so in trash cans or out in the open in front of staff. Guzman also accused the chief of exposing himself, making crude remarks and sending inappropriate materials to his home. Packages allegedly included sex toys and gay pride flags, which were opened by Guzman’s wife and children.
Detective Michael A. Derin, who still works for the department, claimed he saw Farley stir crushed Adderall and Viagra into the communal coffee pot. After that, he started using a K-Cup machine to avoid ingesting anything dangerous.
Another officer, Rasheed Siyam, alleges that Farley made racist remarks toward him and that he was reassigned for blowing the whistle on the chief’s behavior. Officer Christopher Bowen said he too was moved after refusing to meet what he described as an illegal quota for tickets and arrests.
Other reports describe Farley shaving his body hair onto officers’ belongings and food, placing firecrackers under chairs and heating hot peppers in the microwave, filling the air with fumes so intense the fire department had to ventilate the building.
Despite the claims, North Bergen officials have voiced full support for Farley and referred the matter to the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office. Farley earns over $228,000 a year and has worked in the department for 26 years.
