Editor’s note: The grainy video was taken Sunday from inside a vehicle and posted on YouTube by “Asad and Josh.” It was removed sometime Monday. If it resurfaces on the Web, PoliceOne staff will post a link to the video.
By Eugene Paik
Star-Ledger
PARSIPPANY, N.J. — A Parsippany police officer who appeared to be sleeping on the job in a YouTube video will be investigated by the police department for misconduct, a department spokeswoman said yesterday.
“A thorough and accurate investigation will be conducted,” Sgt. Yvonne Christiano said.
The 38-second online video, attributed to “Asad and Josh” and dated 3:30 a.m. Sunday, is shot from inside a car that drives by a parked patrol car near North Beverwyck Road.
The patrol car’s emergency lights are flashing, but the officer appears to be slumped down in the driver’s seat.
Those recording the video aren’t shown. According to the video’s description, they noticed the officer napping, grabbed a camera from home and returned to shoot the video clip.
The video was available for viewing until yesterday afternoon. But by 1:45 p.m., the footage had been removed from YouTube, and the channel airing it was closed.
It was unclear yesterday afternoon why the video was taken down. A YouTube official could not be reached for comment.
The video’s grainy images captured a rough glimpse of the officer’s face. Parsippany police did not identify the officer.
Authorities became aware of the video early yesterday, and Chief Michael Peckerman issued a short statement in the afternoon.
In that statement, the chief said the department’s professional standards division is investigating the allegation thoroughly. He declined to comment further.
The Daily Record yesterday reported the officer had been sent to the area to deal with a faulty traffic light.
Christiano said disciplinary action for “prohibited activity on duty” is decided based on the findings of each case. She also said the investigation in this case is “far from over.”
Copyright 2009 Star-Ledger