NJ police chief accused of discrimination

BLOOMFIELD The police chief of Bloomfield Township is being sued by two members of his staff. A police captain and a detective claim Chief Mark Leonard unfairly demoted or reassigned more than a dozen officers.

They say it's in retaliation to officers who did not support Leonard's recent promotion to chief.

So far, 15 officers have been reassigned, and that is prompting claims the public's safety is being put at risk.

The lawsuit also accuses the chief of a pattern of discrimination against Italian-Americans.

The chief said he cannot comment on pending litigation.

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