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Three different law enforcement-related sources have confirmed that Somick tangled with a student from the school –leaving the boy with a ripped shirt after being dragged in a headlock — outside a sports dinner the other night at the township’s Nutrition Center, just down the hill from police headquarters.
The boy’s mother went to police and a report was drawn up accusing Somick of harassment, the sources told the website. Given the circumstances, they said, the mother didn’t want to sign what she thought should have been an assault complaint.
Then, on Saturday, Somick came to headquarters and accused the youngster of aggravated assault. Police swore out a juvenile complaint, signed by the lieutenant in charge that afternoon.
In such cases, dueling complaints should nullify one another until a full investigation has been completed.
Police Chief William Galvin already cut Somick a huge break earlier this year, as reported in CLIFFVIEW PILOT (see below).
Calls were made Monday to Galvin, who, a dispatch officer said, had left for the day by 2 p.m. after attending a morning funeral for a police officer.
CLIFFVIEW PILOT‘s request for information was forwarded to Lt. Frank Canella, who did not return the call. An email to department spokesman Phil Swibinksi was not returned, either.
Somick — whose mother is dating Mayor Nicholas Sacco — already has become notorious among several rank-and-file members of the township department for an incident in which he called a neighbor a racial epithet, tangled with officers sent to keep the peace, and then was ordered released without charges by Galvin.
The incident began when Somick returned from the school’s senior prom to find a neighbor’s car blocking his driveway. Witnesses said he called the 18-year-old Hispanic NBHS student a racial epithet, then went after officers sent to calm things down.
A sergeant at the scene ordered Somick arrested, witnesses said, and Somick was handcuffed and put into a patrol car, where, they said, he kept banging his head against the window.
(CONTINUED BELOW)
CLIFFVIEW PILOT’s investigation into special treatment given to an NBHS vice-principal connected to Mayor Nicholas Sacco.
*Sacco calls chief’s order to free disorderly VP ‘non story’
*Key figure emerges in case of disorderly school official linked to Sacco
*Prosecutor to NB cops: Talk to us
*Township spokesman’s answers raise questions
*Cops ready to talk to investigators
*Chief orders disorderly VP freed with no charges
*Dispatches tell if school VP got special treatment
*NBHS official not accused in neighborhood spat
Galvin, who presumably worked a regular shift that day, showed up headquarters at 1 a.m., within 20 or so minutes after Somick was put into a holding cell, witnesses told CLIFFVIEW PILOT. After taking with Somick, Galvin ordered him released.
Capt. William Dowd, who also came to headquarters, then drove Somick home, with Galvin going along for the ride, witnesses said.
Sacco derisively scoffed at the initial report about Somick, calling CLIFFVIEW PILOT‘s reporting nothing more than its publisher and editor’s “interpretation of the facts.” He would not elaborate, other than to say the issue was “passé,” as far as he was concerned.
Sacco, who is also a state Senator, is also the assistant superintendent of schools in North Bergen, making him eligible for three taxpayer-funded pensions. His girlfriend works for the district, as do her four sons.
Authorities from both the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office and the U.S. Justice Department have said they would investigate if any police personnel agreed to talk.
But unlike the case of suspended Hackensack Police Chief Ken Zisa, no one on the North Bergen force has been willing to openly challenge the brass, to this point.
Last week, a sergeant who did was suspended after being screamed at by Galvin, witnesses told CLIFFVIEW PILOT.
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