Sean Lavin resigned from his position with the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office in order to avoid jail time for a 2013 incident in which he allegedly used excessive force, using pepper spray on a woman who was arrested at the Sun National Bank Arena and was handcuffed.

But the Mercer County Police and Sheriff’s Association Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge #140 has been the subject of recent complaints to the Sheriff’s Office because the Lodge’s recent fundraising solicitations continue to utilize Lavin’s name as president and rank of sergeant in requests for donations from the public.

Under the terms of an agreement struck by the Superior Court in Burlington County back in October, Lavin, a 14-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office, was ordered to resign his position with
the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office. He is barred from seeking any employment with the County
of Mercer, now and in the future and was given 18 months of supervision and community
service.

Lavin, 44, of Hamilton Township, was accused of pepper spraying a handcuffed woman during
an event on December 6, 2013. Lavin, who held the rank of Sergeant, had been on suspension
without pay since the incident.

If Lavin satisfies all of the requirements of the agreement, his charges stemming from the 2013
incident will be settled. If he does not, officials said the former officer could be subject to further prosecution.

The Trenton Police Department will host a public meeting on June 3 to discuss policing in city neighborhoods.The event will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:3o p.m. at the Trenton Masonic Temple, which is located at 100 Barrack Street.

Representatives from units within the police department will explain their roles at the event, which is described by police as a community engagement seminar. There will be breakout sessions where community members can ask members of the police department questions.

Participating police department units include: the office of community concerns, community affairs, the communications division, the property crimes unit, violent crimes unit, vice enforcement, the  south/east commander, north/west commander, technical services, director’s office, internal affairs, patrol bureau, bike patrol, K9 handler, the shooting response team, homicide task force, and the  alcohol control bureau.

The Trenton Police Department kicked off its new walk and ride program yesterday, April 19.

The main goal of the program is to strengthen the relationship between residents and police officers, Police Director Ernest Parrey, Jr. said.  The program was created as a result of the community and police dialogue in February, after several months of discussions with city residents and members of the Trenton Citizens Police Advisory Council.

Parrey has ordered patrol officers to “walk and ride” as part of their daily routine. Officers will be exiting their vehicles walking around neighborhoods, interacting with the community. Officers will knock on doors, introduce themselves and talk to residents when possible. [Read more…]

Leak

Police are searching for Trenton resident Tiajah Leak, who was last seen on Sunday night in the city.

Leak, who turned 18 on April 5, is African American and has black hair, brown eyes, and a piercing in the center of one ear. She is 5’4″ and weighs 121 pounds.

She was last seen leaving her home on Murray Street in Trenton on Sunday night, April 19. She was possibly heading to Rosedale Park in Hopewell, police say.

Anyone with information about her whereabouts is asked to call Trenton Police Lieutenant James Slack (609) 203-2467 or Sergeant Thomas Watters (609)610-6658 of the Mercer County Homicide Task Force.

The Hopewell Police Department and the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office are helping with the investigation. Emergency responders from Trenton Marine Rescue One and other units are searching the Rosedale Lake this afternoon.

The Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office issued an update at 7: 30 p.m. Monday, saying officials have ceased their search of Rosedale Park in Hopewell Township in connection with Leak.

“Police have received new information that Leak was last seen on Carroll Street in Trenton at approximately 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 19, wearing a light gray pullover hooded sweatshirt and darker gray sweatpants,” a spokesperson said in the release.

Anyone with information as to Leak’s whereabouts is asked to contact Trenton police at 609.989.4000.

We will update this post as more information becomes available.