A North Bergen police officer, Rasheed Siyam, has been charged with theft by deception after allegedly spending more than 130 hours at home while he was supposed to be on duty between November 2024 and May 2025. Prosecutors say the time he spent away from work far exceeded any allowable breaks, and he was paid for hours he didn’t work. Siyam turned himself in and was released pending a court appearance. His attorney described the incident as an “unintentional misstep,” while also noting Siyam had previously filed a notice of intent to sue the township for alleged discrimination and retaliation. The case has sparked broader conversations about police accountability and internal department dynamics.
