Just hearing about the Pompton Lakes lawsuits and borough corruption, mismanagement, and ineptitude?
Begin reading here to understand the last several years and how the town has a years-long history of ignoring employees’ complaints and turning a blind eye to bad things happening within borough walls. There are currently three lawsuits against Pompton Lakes, two against recently retired Police Chief Derek Clark and his second-in-command/officer in charge Captain Anthony Rodriguez, and one against the assistant fire chief. Though Mayor Michael Serra and the Pompton Lakes Borough Council have known about the actions and behaviors, they have chosen to permit the top two police officers to weaponize Internal Affairs and retaliate against any perceived competitors within the Pompton Lakes Police Department.
Detective William Pepe was “constructively terminated” from the department following years of an alleged hostile and retaliatory work environment. He is an Army combat veteran who joined the Pompton Lakes Police Department in 2015, was a dedicated member with a great career, assigned to the Narcotics Task Force at the Passaic County Prosecutor’s office (“PCPO”), and served as a firearms instructor. He received the Mothers Against Drunk Driving Award, and was referred to by the former chief as one of the best officers he had ever seen. However, his career came to an absolute stop when he began blowing the whistle on Chief Derek Clark and Captain (then-Lieutenant) Anthony Rodriguez. Over the next several years, Detective Pepe would be retaliated against in the most absurd of ways, including enduring being the target of 5 separate and absolutely ludicrous IA investigations, which started during brain surgery recovery! Reasons for these investigations were based on nonsensical infractions, such as tattoos in the neck and hands area (which Detective Pepe had had for years prior to the “investigation”). After Pepe’s constructive termination where he was forced out of the department by harassment and abuse, the persecution did not end. Chief Clark contacted the Lodi Police Department, where Pepe resided, in an attempt to have Pepe’s personal weapon seized. Thankfully, the Lodi PD did not execute this demand, as it was baseless and had no grounds. Additionally, Clark and Rodriguez began reviewing personal cell phones and text messages of the Pompton Lakes police officers, wildly (and with no legal basis) informing them that they could not have contact with Detective Pepe. Officer Stefano Barahona was fired after having his cell phone confiscated and being associated with Detective Pepe.
Captain Ryan Cichon joined the Pompton Lakes Police Department in 2009, and was also a dedicated and respected member of the police force. However, once Derek Clark became chief in 2019, and Cichon voiced complaints and blew the whistle against Clark’s wild and unhinged misconduct, Cichon’s 6 year persecution began, and would include the following:
-Captain Cichon being the target of 6 separate IA investigations for nonsensical infractions, including attending a CPR recertification course.
-Getting improperly suspended with pay for made-up reasons in July 2024 (roughly two months after Chief Clark convinced the borough to add a second Captain’s position for a town of less than 11,000 residents— unheard of— and then promoted Anthony Rodriguez over Lieutenant Michael Klepacky, who had 7 years more tenure and 7 points more on the civil service exam). Cichon was ordered to surrender his weapon, badges, police identification, and is barred from the building.
-Having his Police Training Commission not renew his license in September 2024, because Clark contacted them and told them Cichon should not have one, then having the license moved to inactive status in January 2025.
-Following Detective William Pepe’s lawsuit received by the borough on March 26, 2025, which indicated Cichon would be filing his own tort claim, Cichon’s suspension status was suddenly moved to without pay, and violated his right to petition on his own behalf.
Attend a council meeting— the next meeting is Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at 7:30pm.
Attend a public hearing for Captain Ryan Cichon— the next hearing, in borough hall where the public may come and go, is Thursday, July 31, 2025, at 10am.
