Union City Police Department Rocked by Sexual Harassment Allegations

Union City, NJ — SHOCKING! In a disturbing and outrageous move, the Union City, New Jersey Board of Education recently hired newly retired Union City Police Lieutenant Sergio De Rojas—a man accused of raping a female police dispatcher—as the new safety coordinator for children in Union City schools.

This alarming appointment took place in November 2024, raising serious questions about who is truly being protected in this city. Instead of launching a criminal investigation or ensuring accountability, Union City officials have now placed a man with a deeply troubling past in charge of the student safety of over 12,800 Union City school children.

Parents, educators, and community members must demand answers as well as the immediate firing of Lieutenant Sergio de Rojas.

A formal complaint detailing allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation within the Union City Police Department has surfaced, revealing a troubling pattern of misconduct and a failure to protect the alleged victim. The victim will be kept anonymous for the purpose of this article. The complaint, filed on August 4, 2010, by a police dispatcher, accuses Sgt. Sergio DeRojas of repeated sexual harassment and assault over a four-month period, followed by retaliation when she reported the abuse.

According to her statement, the harassment began in March 2009 and escalated until June of that year. She alleges that Sgt. DeRojas, who was her supervisor, repeatedly propositioned her for sex, grabbed her inappropriately, and made unwanted sexual advances while on duty. She states that DeRojas offered her money in exchange for sex, pulled her into private rooms, and even exposed himself at work.

“I told him to stop and leave me alone,”she wrote in her complaint. “I told him I would report him and that he would lose his job. He just would not stop.”

Despite her efforts to seek help, her complaints to the Chief of Police and requests for transfer were rejected. In one particularly disturbing incident in June 2009, she states that Sgt. DeRojas pulled down his pants, exposed himself, and demanded oral sex. Feeling threatened and desperate, she states that she complied, describing the experience as “rape.”

Following her report to Internal Affairs, she faced retaliation. She described how Sgt. DeRojas’ allies within the department, including Sgt. Pisani and Sgt. Surowier, began targeting her with increased scrutiny and disciplinary actions. Despite the gravity of her claims and video evidence showing DeRojas’ inappropriate behavior, the department’s response was minimal — Sgt. DeRojas was given only a 45-day suspension.

“What is even more incredible,” she wrote, “is that the Police Department allowed Sgt. DeRojas to work detail and get paid while he was suspended. He was not even demoted. There was no criminal investigation.”

She further claimed that the light punishment stemmed from Sgt. DeRojas’ close relationship with Union City Mayor Brian Stack and senior police officials. After the suspension, Sgt. DeRojas was reinstated to a supervisory role, putting her back under the authority of the man she accused of assaulting her.

Her complaint also reveals that she was targeted for retaliation by other officers, creating what she described as a “hostile work environment.” She reported that Sgt. Pisani closely monitored her work and issued disciplinary actions for minor infractions.

“I take responsibility for my mistakes,” she wrote. “However, it is not right that I have to work under a man who sexually harassed me.”

She concluded her complaint by calling for Sgt. DeRojas’ termination and an independent investigation by an outside agency. “I respectfully request that someone outside of the City of Union City come in to investigate this matter.”

The Union City Police Department has not yet issued a public statement in response to the complaint. Mayor Stack’s office also declined to comment. She remains employed as a dispatcher and continues to face professional challenges stemming from her decision to speak out.

The allegations highlight serious questions about the culture within the Union City Police Department and the accountability of its leadership. This case is likely to place significant pressure on local officials and law enforcement leadership to address systemic issues related to workplace harassment and misconduct.

What is even more concerning is that Sergio DeRojas is now retired from the Union City Police Department and currently holds a security position within the Union City Board of Education. The fact that an individual with such serious and credible allegations of sexual misconduct now works in a school environment raises alarms about the vetting process and the safety of students. Local officials have yet to address these concerns publicly, but the situation is expected to generate significant scrutiny from parents and the broader community.

(This article highlights allegations not facts, every person is entitled to due process and are innocent until proven guilty.)