A New Jersey police chief has returned to duty after a judge reduced disciplinary action for his use of an anti-gay slur while on duty.
Roselle Police Chief Stacey Williams was fired in 2024 after an investigation found he used offensive language, including the F-slur, during an on-duty conversation in October 2022. He also faced allegations of “abusive, retaliatory, and bizarre behaviour” from the local Policemen’s Benevolent Association. In 2025, an administrative judge dismissed most disciplinary charges and reduced Williams’ punishment to a 30-day suspension.
The ruling found the slur’s use was “overstated and neither discriminatory nor targeted toward another officer or specific individual.” The decision was later upheld, leading to the reinstatement of Williams’ law enforcement license. He returned as Roselle police chief earlier this month.
