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To: Passaic Sheriff’s Office / Wayne Police Department
Remove Officer Cela from Wayne Police Department
Remove Officer Cela, badge number 2603 from the Wayne Police Department. This officer is not only unprofessional, he approached a citizen wearing a mask, demanded he remove it without discussing what the stop was for, and unlawfully searched him. You can hear Cela change his reasoning for the stop from calls by the public of “suspicious” person due to the way he WAS DRESSED, to “we’ve dealt with you before”. In his “opinion” it was too warm to wear a mask and gloves, and he had “received multiple calls by concerned citizens”. Regardless of HIPAA law, he demanded to know if he had a medical condition, and antagonized him by asking him multiple times if he needed an ambulance. He begins by saying it’s 65 degrees to 60 degrees while his supervisor, in a heavy coat, says its 80 degrees. They harass the man on camera, intimidate him, and threaten him. It was then stated that they knew this man and have dealt with him before, then demanding his information. Cela has absolutely no self control and is not fit to be on the force. View the video yourself.
Why is this important?
Police officers with this attitude, who believe they are higher than the law, are a threat to the public safety and the right of law. Not only did Officer Cela berate this man for no reason, he unlawfully searches him and lies to him about what he has to do at the time of this unlawful stop. He should be removed immediately.