Roseland police officer faces 21 criminal charges, including sexual assault

ROSELAND, NJ — A Roseland police officer has been arrested on 21 charges, including aggravated sexual assault, endangering the welfare of a minor and witness tampering, according to a March 31 press release from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office. 

Richard Haffner, 43, of West Caldwell, was taken into custody on March 31 without incident. He is alleged to have committed the assaults against a single juvenile victim between April 2019 and February 2021. According to Assistant Prosecutor Jeffrey Conrad, who is handling the case, the assaults are believed to have occurred while the defendant was off-duty. 

Essex County Prosecutor Theodore Stephens II praised the Roseland Police Department and the West Caldwell Police Department for their assistance with the investigation.

The joint investigation by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and the West Caldwell and Roseland police departments also resulted in an unrelated charge against Haffner for engaging in prostitution as a patron.  Law enforcement is requesting that anyone who may have information pertaining to either matter contact the ECPO Special Victims Unit at 973-753-1130. 

These are accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they enter a guilty plea or are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.