A Cumberland County city has sworn in a new leader for its police force following the resignation of the previous chief.
Pedro Casiano was serving as Vineland’s police chief until he was charged with simple assault following an alleged domestic violence incident last October.
The victim reported the assault and showed visible signs of injury, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed with the summons issued by Vineland Police to Casiano.
Vineland suspended Casiano pending the outcome of the case and appointed Deputy Chief Steven Triantos to oversee the police department in his absence.
Triantos was recently sworn in as chief.
Casiano, 55, entered a guilty plea to a reduced charge of disorderly conduct during a municipal court hearing in February.
He acknowledged in court he was “yelling and screaming” in public during the Oct. 12 incident.
“I was intoxicated and I was upset,” Casiano told the judge in his brief remarks.
The prosecution and defense said Casiano had taken steps to address his issues related to the incident.
Casiano was ordered to pay a fine of $357, plus court costs and other fees.
He could have faced up to 30 days of jail time, the judge said at the February hearing. However, the prosecution and victim agreed that a minimal sentence was appropriate.
Casiano, who joined the Vineland department in 2000 and became chief in 2021, resigned May 5, according to records provided in response to an Open Public Record Act request filed by New Jersey Advance Media.
Casiano did not respond to requests for comment about his resignation.
Stories by Matt Gray
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Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com.