Chief Robert Farley is at the center of a growing scandal in North Bergen after five officers formally accused him of harassment, retaliation and offensive conduct inside the police department. The complaints — which include incidents involving bodily fluids, medication tampering and targeted retaliation — paint a portrait of a law enforcement leader who abused his position to create fear and chaos.
The legal notices reveal a range of alleged misconduct. Lt. Alex Guzman says Farley repeatedly defecated in public spaces around the station and intentionally left waste where staff would discover it. Other officers claim that Farley microwaved hot peppers to create noxious fumes and dropped hair and fluids on their desks and food.
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
Former captain Michael F. Derin claims that in August 2024, Farley cornered him and punctured his groin with a hypodermic needle. He wrote that he was later fired on the day he planned to report the incident to state authorities. His son, who also works for the department, was reassigned shortly after.
Detective Michael A. Derin said that after seeing the chief stir crushed pills into the coffee pot, he began using a personal machine. He suspected the drugs to be Viagra and Adderall — a claim echoed by others who say they later felt the effects of those substances after drinking from the office supply.
Guzman’s account adds another layer. He alleges that Farley mailed sex-related materials to his house and accused him of leaking documents through public records requests. The lieutenant also says he sought psychological help because of the stress the situation caused his family.
Officer Rasheed Siyam said he was the target of racial slurs and was moved to a new assignment after whistleblowing. Christopher Bowen also claimed his shift was changed for refusing to comply with illegal arrest quotas.
Despite the accusations, North Bergen officials say they support Farley’s leadership. The township says the matter has been referred to the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, which has not yet commented.
