Police Dispatcher Sentenced to Four Years For Abusing His Post

A police dispatcher will serve at least two years in prison for abusing his post, the Morris County Prosecutor's Office said Friday.

Dover dispatcher Manny Santana III was sentenced to four years in prison Friday after pleading guilty to official misconduct. He must serve at least 2 years of that sentence before becoming eligible for parole.

Prosecutors said that Santana, in a period spanning from 2004 to 2010, disclosed confidential information about police investigations, including the identity of a cooperating source who was working with the prosecutor's office and Dover police.They said he illegally obtained criminal histories and driver registrations and abstracts of individuals for non-law-enforcement purposes, and innapropriately awarded towing jobs to a local business en exchange for personal discounts.

The crimes were discovered during an undercover probe, according to the prosecutor's office. Santana resigned from his position with the Town of Dover Police Department after he met with representatives of the Morris County Prosecutor's Office during their investigation.

" Mr Santana abridged his duties to the public, compromised officer safety, and dishonorably attempted to scuttle an investigation," Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi said. "This significant sentence should serve to send the message that public officials will be harshly dealt with when they violate their obligations to the public. It also helps and assists to restore the public’s faith that matters such as these will be dealt with severely and not be tolerated.  I commend Chief Harold Valentine of the Dover Police Department who immediately assigned a Detective to this joint investigation. I continue to have the utmost confidence in the Dover Police Department. This unfortunate incident is limited to Mr. Santana and is by no means a reflection of the entire Dover Police Department.  A member of the Dover Police Department has been involved in every aspect of this investigation. That officer has professionally and admirably represented the otherwise fine officers of the Dover Police Department."