Livingston Police Department Faces Lawsuit Over Antisemitic Harassment and Retaliation

A veteran Livingston, New Jersey, police officer has filed a lawsuit against the township, alleging he was subjected to antisemitic harassment by fellow officers and then retaliated against after reporting the conduct.

Officer Christopher Wagner, who has served with the Livingston Police Department since 2005, filed the lawsuit on Jan. 30 in Essex County. The suit alleges a hostile work environment, retaliation, and violations of the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination.

According to court filings, Wagner says several officers repeatedly made discriminatory remarks and jokes about Jewish people and that township officials failed to take action when the behavior was reported. He alleges the retaliation that followed included disciplinary action, denial of a promotion, and being passed over for an assignment.

Wagner says multiple incidents created a hostile environment. During pro-Palestine and pro-Israel demonstrations in the township in 2025, officers allegedly told Wagner, “Your people are out there,” referring to demonstrators supporting Israel. When officers were assigned to direct traffic outside a local synagogue, the assignment was allegedly referred to by some as the “Hebrew 500,” a reference to the Daytona 500 auto race.

In another instance, a non-Jewish officer allegedly referred to himself as “a cheap Jew” in front of Wagner and other officers. Wagner also alleges that on Nov. 25, 2025, he found a book titled “The Jew” placed on top of his locker, which he reported to a sergeant.

The lawsuit says Wagner reported the remarks and conduct to supervisors, township officials, and managers, but that no corrective action was taken in response.

The lawsuit also alleges that Wagner was denied a promotion to sergeant despite performing well on the written examination. Township officials, “with retaliatory and discriminatory intent, have not promoted plaintiff to sergeant despite his qualifications for that rank,” the suit says. Wagner claims officers who did not file complaints or engage in protected activity were promoted instead.

In addition, Wagner alleges he was denied an assignment to the department’s traffic unit, which was given to officers with fewer qualifications.

The case remains pending.