By Trentonian Staff
TRENTON — A New Jersey trooper won $240,000 Tuesday and could get more in punitive damages Wednesday for being relegated to the state police museum after he blew the whistle, charging state police were using uncertified handlers to train K-9 dogs.
A Mercer County trial jury deliberated two days after a week-long trial before returning the unanimous verdict in favor of Sgt. Michael Daniele against New Jersey State Police in the Conscientous Employee Protection Act case. He’ll get $240,000 in compensatory damages.
His lawyer, George T. Daggett, said Sgt. Daniele had been training coordinator for the NJSP K9 Unit at Fort Dix in January 2006 when he complained to his superiors that non-certified trainers were being used to train the dogs.
“He went to them and he said, ‘This is wrong!’” Daggett said. “‘What’s going on?’”
Daniele was transferred to the State Police Museum at headquarters in Ewing and has received no raises in rank -— “he should be a lieutenant now,” Daggett said — and has been denied overtime for the past four years.
The punitive damages deliberations today are expected to focus on those matters, he said.
“They fabricated a reason to transfer him, and they sent him to the museum,” Daggett said.
Asked what the reason was, Daggett said, “They said he received a phone call from the K-9 unit in Ewing Township, and they wanted to know if the dogs were being properly trained. And he said, ‘No, they’re not.’
“And state police said he violated the chain of command. But as the training coordinator, he dealt with these outside agencies all the time.”
The transfer came in March 2006. Daniele filed the case in 2007.
Daggett said his client can’t wait to get out of the museum. “He’s tired of looking at old motorcycles and police cars,” Daggett said.
Punitive damages would “send a message to the state police that you don’t punish a good and decent worker who wants nothing but the best for the state police,” Daggett said. “It would send them a message.”
A grievance would be filed that Daniele hasn’t been promoted in four years.
“And we’re hoping after this verdict that the state police will see that they’re wrong and correct the situation,” Daggett said. “He’s got seven more years before his mandatory retirement. He’s 48.”
Lee Moore, spokesman for the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office which is prosecuting the case, said there would be no comment on the whistle-blower case, as the matter is not completely resolved.
Daniele also had no comment last night. A state police spokesman said Daniele is a 24-year veteran who came on board in June of 1986 as a member of the 104th NJSP training class.
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14 comments:
I'm glad that there is a few officers that want to maintaing a good reputation of the law enforcemen, by been a whistle-blower. Sgt. Michael has show that there are good police officer out there, and that they are willing to comfront there fellow officers for the wrong doing. Thank you Sgt.Daniele for comfromting these issues.
JE#7974
When dealing with police officers who want to do the right thing for themselves and the community is a good thing. On the other hand one has police officers who wants to do evil work and have the power of doing what one wants. I cant wait to hear more about these slim bags going down.
LC9671
Its amazing how people's reaction toward exposing the truth about what goes on in the department turns ugly. The hate, disrespect, the misery that one must endure behind wanting to do what is just! When does it end? Being a whistle blower has its advantages and disadvantages. The experience in breaking the barriers down sounds hard both worth it. You be the judge. RSI-3774
These people are'nt criminals. They probably were jus trying to get around the easy way (like normal citizens) without taking into consideration the consequences and/or dangers of them. I think that because it involved dogs and not humamn beings it was thought that it wouldnt really matter or not as important who trained them; as long as they were trained properly and/or with accuracy.
QL9715
To be a whistle blower takes a lot of courage and a true belief in what they view is right. The reason I believe this is: their are consequences for this act; it may not be right to punish those that are looking out for what is suppose to be done, and making sure that it is done right; but for ones career, it could be an act that can destroy your career. Hopefully the stigma of being a whistle blower would change, but I think it would be highly un-likely.
Anonymous said,
I think that was really brave of him to blow the whistle on your fellow men in blue, because most of them stick together, and turn on you like is nobody's business, I do appreciate that there are some good men and women on the force. so coodles to you
TS # 8855
I am happy that the trooper fought and stood up for what he thought was right. Most do turn the other way.. not because they don't want to help but they don't want to get involved due to what the consequences can in the future. sb-8642
JN 8831
It is nice to hear that there are people who sincerely want good deeds to occur in this career. It is not right to demote or punish someone who wants the justice system to continue in a positive manner, instead of an negative manner.
I give this trooper alot of respect. It takes alot of commitment and courage to do what he did. He also was in a win/lose situation. He won 240k but also they wont promote him to Lt. and thats were the problem is. He did something right, not wrong. And now since it seems like he "snitched" on someone they won't promote him. It's sometimes a shame on what goes on, especially in the Criminal Justice field.
-EM3583
Im glad he blew the whistle it takes courage to do something like that. Especially if you work for that department.Sgt Daniele stood up for what was right and I hope they got the message. It good to know that their are still some good people out there T.C.3006
To respond to 1 comment Yes it does matters who training these dogs. Wat if the dog is not trained right and Kills someone or doesn't respond right in certain situations. Example; Does anybody train a police officer? NO!
I.D.8527 This just goes to show that there are good officers out there.There are people in this career field that are concerned with doing the right things. Too bad the media doesnt portray too many images of officers like this one.
Im always on the wistleblowers side :) it takes alot of courage to do something like this and its great because that just shows the officers great integrity. On the downside hes probably going to be plagued now for being the "snitch" but it is what it is because whats right is right and whats wrong is wrong [just like Glenn Beck says ;) ] LMD 7029
He must be proud of him self as a good police officer. I am glad we still have some good people in our society.good luck for him on his case
GY0229
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