Disturbing bodycam footage has emerged showing a New Jersey police officer blatantly ignoring emergency radio calls while collecting a pizza delivery, during what should have been an active murder investigation in his own community.
A Troubling Sequence of Events
The incident occurred in Paterson, New Jersey, where Officer Body Worn Camera—whose real identity remains protected—was supposed to be investigating the brutal murder of 61-year-old Felix DeJesus. Instead, bodycam footage reveals the officer making personal stops while critical emergency calls went unanswered.
At approximately 8:30 PM, the officer can be heard on recording stating he was "10-8" or available for calls, before immediately heading to collect his pizza order. During this time, multiple urgent calls came through police dispatch, including reports of a man with a gun and a domestic violence incident.
Systemic Failures Exposed
What makes this dereliction of duty particularly alarming is the context: the officer was supposedly investigating a homicide that occurred just doors away from his own residence. The victim, Felix DeJesus, was found brutally stabbed in his home on October 14th, 2023.
Paterson Police Commissioner Richard Berdnik expressed grave concern, stating: "The actions observed in this footage are completely unacceptable and do not represent the standards of our department."
Key Failures Documented:
- Ignoring multiple emergency calls during personal errand
- Failing to respond to serious incidents including armed individuals
- Potential compromise of murder investigation
- Violation of public trust during critical situation
Broader Implications for Police Accountability
This incident has sparked wider concerns about police accountability and professional standards in New Jersey law enforcement. The officer in question has been placed on administrative leave pending a full internal affairs investigation.
Community leaders have expressed outrage, noting that such behaviour undermines public confidence in law enforcement, particularly during ongoing investigations into violent crimes that directly affect neighbourhood safety.
The case continues to develop as authorities review the complete bodycam footage and dispatch records to determine the full extent of the officer's misconduct during what should have been a critical response period.
