Lyndhurst Officer On Paid Leave During Internal Probe

No details of the incident involving Sgt. Rick Pizzuti will be published while the review continues.

Speaking on behalf of the department, Detective Sgt. Vincent Auteri didn’t confirm the identity of the officer involved.

“An officer with our department has been suspended while we investigate allegations of a violation of department policy and procedures,” Auteri said. “The investigation has been assigned to our internal affair bureau. Department policy prevents me from commenting further on matters of internal affairs.”

Born and raised in Lyndhurst, Pizzuti has more than 20 years with the department and is a member of the township Board of Education.

The father of three also spent seven years with the DEA’s Newark Field Office Task Force before returning in 2016.

Pizzuti completed a two-week leadership program in Quantico, VA in 2018 with the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Jersey Domestic Field Division, a prestigious distinction.

Last year, he received the 2019 Volunteer award from The Center for Alcohol and Drug Resources for his work with the Municipal Alliance to Prevent Alcoholism and Drug Abuse.

Pizzuti also has coached Little League, youth football and girl’s basketball.

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