A suspended Clinton Township police detective has sued the Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office and the township, alleging prosecutors mishandled her whistleblower complaints and then helped her supervisors retaliate against her.
Jennifer Pawlick reported concerns about alleged gender discrimination, internal affairs violations, evidence-handling problems and misconduct within the Clinton Township Police Department to the prosecutor's office in January 2024.
She alleges the prosecutor's office did not take any action and helped the department retaliate against her by sharing with police supervisors a video of her interview with investigators.
The suit goes on to say the prosecutor's office incorrectly invoked the Conscientious Employee Protection Act (CEPA) in declining to pursue charges.
CEPA prevents employers from retaliating against employees who file complaints. The suit argues the prosecutor's office incorrectly claimed a CEPA conflict prevented it from investigating, even though Pawlick is not its employee and therefore no conflict exists.
The complaint described the stance of the prosecutor's office as a "fabricated" CEPA rationale designed to justify taking no action.
Pawlick said the prosecutor's office disclosed to Clinton Township police that she suffered from anxiety and depression and took medication to treat the conditions.
An internal affairs report filed by a Clinton Township police sergeant said Pawlick should not receive whistleblower protection.
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