Cape May Officials Try To Diffuse Situation After Police Chief Demoted And Councilman Resigns
By Cleve Bryan
CAPE MAY, N.J. (CBS) – Cape May City officials blame an unclear letter from the Cape May County Prosecutor's Office for possibly affecting council members' vote March 3 not to keep Rob Sheehan as police chief.
Mayor Ed Mahaney, City Manager Bruce MacLeod and City Solicitor Anthony Monzo held a news conference Thursday to explain the events leading up to the chief losing his position.
Last July the City began looking into allegations that a lieutenant in the police department was abusing comp time.
Sheehan took part in the investigation which eventually came to include the Cape May County Prosecutor's Office and an independent investigator.
On March 2 the prosecutor's office sent a letter to the city saying they are reviewing Sheehan's actions as well as "a review of the initial information provided to this office in order to evaluate whether any witness or party willfully provided false information during a criminal investigation."
Just before the March 3 council meeting, members were briefed in closed session about the letter.
They voted 3-2 to let Sheehan's one year probationary contract as chief expire and have him return to his job as a captain rather than become permanent chief.
Councilman Jerry Inderweis was so upset that he resigned on the spot.
Prosecutor Robert Taylor said publically afterwards that Sheehan is not part of any on-going criminal investigation.
