Date of Offense
Offense(s)
Official Statement
Terminated: No
Demoted: Yes
Suspended: No
# of Days Suspended: 0
Sustained Charge: Harassment in the Workplace, Conduct towards Others, All other Conduct, Retaliation
Description: Officer Cortes was demoted as a result of an investigation with sustained charges surrounding workplace harassment (intimidation / retaliation threats) toward subordinate employees. Officer Cortes was found to have made threatening and inappropriate comments to subordinates. Specifically, Officer Cortes on or around May 15th, 2022 created a hostile work environment by constantly engaging in inappropriate communication with a NJIT Dispatcher about a grievance that had not yet been filed throughout his tour of duty on 5/15/22. By offering to purchase the Dispatcher food in exchange for him not to file a grievance, Officer Cortes committed an act of quid pro quo (non-sexual) harassment. Sergeant Cortes, was thusly demoted to the rank of Police Officer as a result.
