An internal investigation found that former police chief Leonard Guida committed dozens of policy violations
An internal affairs investigation in New Jersey found 28 policy violations committed by the police chief himself. In one case, he showed up for a DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) exam while under disability and got into a physical altercation. Now he is retiring as a result of the findings.
Seven of the violations were directly related to an incident in which Leonard Guida, the now-former police chief, arrived at a DWI scene while intoxicated. Bodycam footage of the incident shows him approaching a lieutenant and complaining about the officer’s jacket.
When the officer tries to return to his duties, Guida chases him and begins grabbing his arm. At that point, the lieutenant rams Guida into a patrol car and yells at the chief, ending by saying “you’re drunk again.”
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The chief went on paid leave when the incident occurred in November. The investigation was ongoing at the time and concluded with very clear findings. Several incidents in the report indicate that Guida may have an alcohol abuse problem.
The officer who hit him on the hood reported that Guida had been coming to work drunk for the past six months. That could explain some of the other behavior that led to additional policy violations.
The report specifically mentioned his tendency to yell at his subordinates about “small, unimportant things when they are trying to do their jobs.” During the investigation, Guida called the same subordinates “not credible, not likable, and not capable.” What a boss he must have been.
“The findings in this report unequivocally illustrate that, over the past year and a half, Chief Guida has been an active obstruction to the law enforcement agency he was assigned to lead. The picture the report paints is not a pretty one – but that is exactly why we felt it was so important to release it publicly,” said Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago. “Transparency becomes meaningless if the ugliness is kept opaque.”
He retired on March 1 and could technically reapply to rejoin the force at any time. If he does, the internal affairs office will likely recommend some form of discipline. For now, it’s on hold, with his retirement cited as a reason to suggest no consequences.