Suspended Palisades Park police chief must be paid, lawyers say

Police lieutenant made allegations of harassment and retaliation

PALISADES PARK -- The borough must pay its suspended police chief after first ordering that he serve the 30-day suspension without pay, The Record reported Thursday.

A review of state law found Chief Benjamin Ramos can only be suspended without pay following formal administrative charges and a hearing, according to the report.

Ramos was not given a formal hearing and was informed of the allegations against him in a closed borough council session, Borough Attorney John Schettino told the newspaper. The chief's salary is $164,676.

Patrick O'Dea, the police chief's attorney, said borough officials acted quickly to correct the error, the report said.

The council vote to suspend Ramos came after police Lt. Matthew Finck accused the chief of harassment and retaliation. Finck notified the borough he planned to sue and seek $10 million in damages.

According to the report, the borough hired a special counsel to investigate allegations against the chief. The specific claims have not been made public.

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook.