New Jersey police officer accused of concealing criminal past to secure police jobs

A New Jersey police officer faces criminal charges after allegedly lying about his criminal past to secure law enforcement jobs.

New Jersey police officer accused of lying

Briant K. Nixon, 38, has been suspended from the Neptune Township Police Department and is charged with:

• second-degree pattern of official misconduct
• three counts of second-degree official misconduct
• three counts of third-degree tampering with public records
• single counts of fourth-degree false swearing
• falsifying records
• unsworn falsification to authorities.

According to Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago, Nixon repeatedly lied about his criminal history and prior employment while seeking police work in New Jersey. Investigators with the Prosecutor’s Office Professional Responsibility Unit discovered that the NYPD employed Nixon from 2012 to 2017 before terminating him for violating departmental rules tied to a 2015 domestic violence arrest and a restraining order violation.

Briant K. Nixon applied to three New Jersey police departments

Despite that history, Nixon applied to three New Jersey police departments : West Wildwood, Matawan, and Neptune Township without disclosing his NYPD termination or criminal record. He was hired in West Wildwood in 2022 and Neptune Township in 2023. In both cases, prosecutors say Nixon submitted false information and, in Neptune’s application, swore before a notary that the statements were true.

Nixon allegedly repeated the falsehoods earlier this year when he renewed his police license, again claiming he had never faced criminal charges or been subject to a restraining order.

Authorities served Nixon with summonses earlier this week. Monmouth County Superior Court has tentatively scheduled Nixon’s first appearance for September 25.

Police department issues statement

Neptune Township Police Chief Anthony Gualario responded to the charges, emphasizing the department’s commitment to integrity.

“The actions of one officer do not represent the values of the people who serve in our department with integrity and professionalism every day,” Gualario said. “We remain committed to transparency, accountability, and strengthening the trust between law enforcement and the community we serve.”

Nixon remains suspended pending the outcome of the case. The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office credited the Bronx District Attorney’s Civil Litigation Unit and the Neptune Township Police Department for their assistance in the investigation.

Assistant Prosecutor Melanie Falco, Director of the Professional Responsibility Unit, is leading the case. Information about Nixon’s legal representation was not immediately available.

As with all criminal cases, Nixon is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.