ASSUALTS ON STATE CORRECTIONAL POLICE OFFICERS CONTINUE WITH NO ACTION IN RESPONSE WILLINGBORO (3/19/24)— A State Correctional Police Officer was recently sent to the emergency room after a violent attack at the hands of an inmate in Avenel’s Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center. As the officer sat at his desk minding his own business, the inmate approached the officer, grabbed his water bottle and began to splash water on him. Refusing continuous orders to stop, the inmate began to square up in a fighting stance and aggressively approach the officer. In efforts to stop his advance, OC spray was deployed. However, it was not in time as the inmate viciously struck the officer with a closed fist to the right eye. The officer was struck multiple times as he attempted to restrain the inmate and take him to the ground. Additional staff quickly reported to the scene and placed the inmate in handcuffs and leg irons. Suffering significant swelling and redness to the right side of his face, the officer was quickly transported to RWJ Hospital for medical evaluation. “This particular inmate has been criminally charged twice now, he keeps assaulting officers and nothing seems to happen,” said William Sullivan, President of the New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Association Local 105. “Viscous assaults on State Correctional Police Officers continue with no end in sight. At what point will they get the protections they deserve? We call on the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s office to fully investigate this assault and refer criminal charges on the attacker. Twice now this inmate was not given a proper sentence and it has resulted in officer trips to the emergency room. This will not be tolerated.” ##